Everything is Permuted

Grey squirrel, that is.






Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

It feels like it's been quite a while since I had a really good afternoon with the kestrels, but the sun was bright today and I had a good feeling that my luck would be in. Sure enough a female was out hunting in the valley. Or rather, she was hunting all over Sheepcote Valley and led me a merry dance as I followed her around. Good exercise though!



During one of her hovers she attracted the casual attention of some gulls. They didn't mob. It was more a case of investigating and moving on. In this shot the gull is a little closer to the camera (but not too much), but it gives a rough approximation of the difference in size.









There are a few more shots from today in the Kestrels 2009 album. You need to go to the end of the album for today's shots.

The other reason I headed to this location was that last time I was there I saw a stoat. The moment was too fleeting to photograph it, but I have a fair idea of its home territory and went to have another look today. I saw a movement, probably the stoat, but even more fleeting than the previous time. So I can't really claim a sighting, just enough of a hint to encourage me to go back when I have the chance. I suspect I'll need to sit and wait... and wait. Or set the camera up on a tripod with a radio trigger and hide myself away. But I'm sure it's there.

Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

The early mornings are still proving the best time of day to be outside, and today I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of the roe deer which had wandered over to 'my' side of the fields. So for once I wasn't struggling to photograph her against the sun. She was grazing. Very carefully I edged along the side of the field to get a little closer. I take about 10 paces at a time (take a photo) and then another 10 paces. And so on. That way I always have roughly the best shot I'm likely to get. It took about 5 minutes to cover 100 yards. My name is not Bolt. But hers might be!

Roe Deer

And then I took another 10 paces. And she was off!

Roe Deer running

Roe Deer running



The decent light had all but vanished by lunchtime when I saw one of the local green woodpeckers. Once again I used the 10 pace/photo/10 pace technique to get into range.

Green Woodpecker

I'm keeping my eyes open for the campus foxes. There have been several reports of activity, though mainly early morning or in the evening.

It's still quiet out in the garden, but I did catch a glimpse of the bold vixen and a badger on the trail cam last night (not together); and a couple of nights ago one of the other foxes crossed the garden at full pelt. I missed that, but I did manage to photograph the full moon.

Moon

Camera note: today's shots all taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS. The moon was photographed with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.