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Everything is Permuted

Tales of a South Downs fox... and other ramblings

Posts tagged with "cub"

Fox cub!

Monday, 3. August 2009, 23:22:41

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This entry was going to be about something else entirely (dragonflies), but despite getting my first shots of darters the flighty things have been well and truly put in their place by the appearance of one of the cubs in the garden this evening.

I'd been outside on one of my regular prowls. A couple of hedgehogs were snorting away in the undergrowth. A black cat slid along the back of the garden, trying to pass by unnoticed. And then a small movement in the far corner caught my eye. I wasn't sure what it was, but waited. A small creature edged forward...


One of the cubs had decided to brave the garden while I was out there. :D I kept very still, and watched as it tried to make up its mind whether it was safe or not. It tucked away into a corner...


And then finally decided that I wasn't a threat...


And finally a proper pose for the camera...


So the dragonflies will have to wait for another day... you just can't beat a friendly fox cub.
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.

22 comments

Butterflies and Bugs

Sunday, 28. June 2009, 23:33:07

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Following on from yesterday's colourful moths, today's selection is of a couple of equally abundant species: the common red soldier beetle, and the meadow brown and marbled white butterflies. I'll start with the beetles, which are very distinctive, very red, and often seen mating at this time of year.
Red Soldier beetles mating

They often walk upside down as well

And they can fly

A meadow brown butterfly and red soldier beetles

Marbled whites have beautiful black and white markings. They are somewhat flighty and don't always cooperate with the camera. I was in luck today (there were so many of them that occasionally one would settle in range of the camera).

Marbled white butterfly

This next shot looks a bit odd. Click on it for the full size image. It's an attempt at a 3D stereoscopic image. You need to make your self go cross-eyed, and what should happen is that the two images merge into a third (in the centre) which should have 3D properties. That's the theory. If you have trouble getting it to come into focus hold a pin a few inches in front of your face and focus on that. The image should appear. Or not!

3d image - click to enlarge

Finally, a video from last night of all the garden visitors. We had a lot!


Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro apart from the meadow brown butterfly which was taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.

11 comments

Young wildlife

Saturday, 20. June 2009, 20:43:17

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Yesterday (Friday) was one of those slightly odd - but all too welcome - days where although I had little time to go in search of wildlife, some ideal subjects more or less landed in my lap.

The first encounter was late morning. I was heading for a meeting and something caught my attention. I had just passed one of the footpath bridges when I took a second look. There was something just jutting out from beneath the line of the bridge. Something suspiciously like a fox's leg.

I had a couple of minutes to spare so went back to look. Sure enough, one of the rabbit-catching vixen's cubs was out in the sunshine. I presume it was waiting for meal to be brought back.
Fox cub by its den



I wasn't able to stay around to wait for lunch to be delivered, and the cub had much the same idea and soon disappeared back down the fox hole.


I did take a look about an hour later, but all was quiet.

Late afternoon I was working on my computer and glanced outside. A pair of pied wagtail fledglings were sitting on the low wall of an ornamental pond. I opened my window and took a couple of shots.
Pied wagtail fledglings

I carried on working, but kept half an eye on what was going on outside. Sure enough an adult appeared. After a moment or two it decided I was sufficiently far away not be a concern and got on with the serious business of feeding the youngsters.
Grubs up






Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

10 comments

Some interesting after hours events in the garden

Saturday, 23. May 2009, 13:14:55

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After I'd finished posting last night, the garden got interesting :wink: The bold vixen decided to live up to her name. I've not seen her close up for some months, but she's looking fine if a bit worn by her cubs. She was as friendly as she ever was, and happy to come down to the front of the garden. That's the first time this year I've had a fox relax in the garden.
The Bold Vixen

That was around midnight. Closer to 2.00am I looked outside and a tiny shape shot to the top of the garden. I investigated :D
First garden cub of the year

So 'Bold' has decided to bring the cubs round our way. Checking back on recent trail cam footage, she's been visiting regularly but hitherto been much more cautious. She may have relaxed now the cubs are a little bigger (I could hear at least one other nearby). And of course, the trail cam caught even more..



Finally, a short clip from a couple of nights ago. It's of a fox I'll call 'Stumpy'. You'll see why.



Expect more... I certainly do!
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens. Trail cam footage by the GL80 Stealth trail cam.

12 comments

Breakfast with the Foxes (picture special)

Friday, 22. May 2009, 23:13:37

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I'm sure parents everywhere will have faced those mornings when you look in the cupboard and to your dismay discover that the last of the cereal has gone, the bread is nothing but a dried crust, and the little ones are hankering for their breakfast. Well, this is a daily occurrence in the home of Mrs Vixen. We join her just as she's making her way back from the early morning run to the shops...
"Nearly there. But why did we have to pick a home half way up a hill?"

"Kids! Mum's back!"

"If you want it, one of you will have to come and get it."

"Coo, thanks Mum!"

"Hey, this is a bit heavy for me"

"Woaah! I'm not sure I can stop!"

"Grub's Up!

(muffled) "Oi! Let me get through the door..."

"I wonder what they'll fancy for lunch..."
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

14 comments

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