Everything is Permuted

I was going to call this entry 'Or Kestrel Manouevres in the Park', but you'll see why I changed my mind in moment. I was over at the local valley area and I had a feeling it would be a good day, despite the dull weather, when I saw a stoat cross the path ahead of me. Too quick to photograph, but a nice sighting lasting less than second! Then the kestrels appeared. First it was fairly standard fare (kestrel in flight) but I took numerous photos most of which are like the one in the link.

I then headed to the south of the valley where I'd seen the fox on recent visits. Nothing doing today, but a kestrel was hunting along one of the banks. One of the joys of downland is the slopes which, if things work in your favour, means you can often be at about eye-level with a bird in flight. I've put a handful of shots in the Kestrel 2009 album, but I think these two are my favourites of the bunch. The kestrel has been hovering, and is at the start of its swoop. A moment later it dropped out of view and then emerged with a vole (sorry, no shot of that).

Kestrel

Kestrel

By this time the sky was darkening and I headed back in the direction of the car. It was beginning to drizzle as I crossed one of the banks I call 'Rabbit Alley' (there's nearly always a large gathering in a narrow strip between undergrowth and grass). I glanced along the strip and saw this:

Fox at Rabbit Alley

That was a grab-shot, but I kept still, sorted out the camera, and watched... These are some highlights.













She went off empty-jawed this time...


Or did she? [/ALIGN]
The skies then opened so I don't know the outcome of the final shot. I suspect that the rabbit got away, but somehow I don't think the vixen would have been too concerned.

Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, supported by the Manfrotto 685B Neotec monopod and 234RC tilt head