Land/Water Wildlife

Definitely males and females, we had a few babies last year so hopeful for more, also notice a large Damsel fly larvae hunting in the weeds too.

 

It is great to see Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins arriving in small numbers now plus Blackcaps and other warblers.
There have been an influx of rare birds lately which would normally only reach Northern France, Night Herons Purple Herons, Black Winger Stilts, Alpine Swifts and Hoopoes.

Barnacle Goose, a scarce vivitor to Dorset, taken up with the local Egyptian Geese and a Drake Garganey (dodgy distant shot) our only Summer visiting duck all the way from West Africa!
Only passing through.

 

Our weather is experiencing an unusual warm spell, today will be 87 degrees F. The night crew is back in action.

 

Oh, I love it, beautiful shots. Thank you so much for sharing. Something I could never see, an experience. Makes my heart sigh.

 

Yes, lovely shots and good to see the different wildlife you have there.

 

Thanks Sheal. I am really trying to take a photo of Rosie, but I have to take whatever stops, by as the system is automatic and remote. Some times there is too much competition and she does not want to confront it. Foxes, it seems, are timid creatures.

 

This is Twinkle, last years kit. I am thinking soon Twinkle will have more siblings.

 

Whatever system you are using takes very clear shots.

I'm sure Rosie will turn up at some point. You're right saying foxes are timid, I saw one shoot through my garden two nights ago, probably on it's way to harass my neighbours chickens. I have a rotary washing line and when not in use there is a red cap to cover the in-ground post it slots into, to stop it filling with rain. This last 18 months I've had to put a small piece of rock on top of it to stop it going walkabout in the garden. I've not caught the guilty party yet but am almost certain, having a playful nature, that it's a fox taking it.

 

The system is rather complicated, the camera is a Nikon DSLR in a Camtraptions all weather housing. Camtraptions is a UK company that makes camera trap equipment. I have a Camtraptions infared sensor that triggers the camera and Camtraptions radio controlled triggers that fire the strobes, which are Nikon SB-28s. They are discontinued and have not been made for more than 20 years but are the go to strobe for camera trapping. The strobes are in all weather housings that I built last year and posted on here in the photography forum.

Not too many photographers are into camera trapping, yet. It is used by scientific groups and universities. Imagine leaving a few thousand dollars worth of camera equipment in the woods for months at a time. I have alarms and several video cameras watching mine when they are deployed, still I worry sometimes.

It is basically studio photography out doors, but you pre-focus on a point, either a game trail or use a bait to get the subject where it will be in focus when the camera trips.

I hope you catch the culprit fooling with your cover. Rosie is back in the neighborhood but is being foxy when it comes to being photographed.

 

Yes the system does sound complicated and would be beyond me. It's obviously a valuable piece of equipment, which if mine would definitely have insurance cover.

The 'theft' of the cap is likely to remain a mystery as it happens overnight. Technology is something I fail to understand so any set up beyond a trails camera I wouldn't invest in.

I'm sure Rosie will appear at some time. Who knows, she may be rearing a brood of cubs and turn up with them at some point. That would be amazing!

 

I like that thought about Rosie, if Shadow has kits I am going to try to befriend them with marshmallows.

 

Wait for me mom!

 

I noticed that Shadow has a patch of fur missing on her hind and my first thought was: Oh no, here we go with mange again. Several people with knowledge of raccoons have now assured me that it is completely normal, that it is an indication that she has given birth to kits. One woman said she has two raccoons in her yard with the same missing fur. They said her mouth and eyes show no signs of mange, she is fat and healthy and otherwise her fur is in great condition. Also, there is condition known as "cracking" in which raccoons lose patches of fur in the spring. If I needed to treat her, I would, but not notify the state. That said, I can't wait to see her new babies!

 

It won't be long before she brings her family to visit hydrogardener.

 

If she does Sheal you can be sure I will post photos.