Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on November 11, 2012 at 2:03 PM
Thanks for the comments on my last image.
In anticipation of good weather this morning (forecast was perfect!), I arrived at the fox site just before dawn. The weather was superb, clear skies, frost, and mist. All I needed to do was to find a fox. I'm sure you can guess what happened. I could find a single sodding animal! Not a single one. I searched as the sun gradually got higher, melting the frost and burning off the mist. Eventually I gave up and started photographing the Egyptian Geese there. On my way out of the course, I spotted one of the youngsters sat in the long grass. I thought I'd hang around for a bit. After about 10 minutes, a squirrel came towards it across the fairway. The fox turned to look at it. I realised what might happen, so quietly got up and moved around a group of gorse bushes to get a better angle. That took all of 10 seconds. By the time I got to the other side, the Fox was 40 yards away, on the other side of the fairway, with the squirrel in its mouth. It proceeded to trot across the fairway again, and disappeared into a gorse bush. Following a bit of squealing, the squirrel escaped. Don't feel too bad though, the fox caught a vole minutes later!
I wish that it had been in the sun (which it would have been had it been 2 metres further back!), but hey, it's a fox with a squirrel, so I'm happy enough.
Brilliantly caught Oscar. The only pity for me is that the squirrel got away!
Posted by Nick Mckeown on November 11, 2012 at 2:42 PM
Looks like a very fat squirrel Oscar! Very nicely captured. Perhaps a slight tweak in levels and curves to give the fox a little more contrast although you will have to watch the lighter yellow strip over the fox. Sounds like a lucky squirrel.
Nick.
Posted by David Sewell on November 11, 2012 at 2:43 PM
It was worth getting up early for, Oscar. Well caught.
David
Posted by keith mitchell on November 11, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Oscar he certainly got more than he could chew with that fat one very well caught.
Keith.
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on November 11, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Thanks for your comments. Just for your interest, here's another one of it. It's a fairly hefty crop, but you get an idea of the vastness of the prey here!
Oscar
Posted by Tom Smit on November 11, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Great shot off a great moment. As said before a very big Squirrel. Apperently to big for he Fox. Lucky Squirrel.
Posted by John Robinson on November 11, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Does need "lifting" a bit but a great couple of shots Oscar.
JR
The second one is simply stunning even if it is a big crop.
Living in the heart of Angus I have no chance of photographing these, I was out late the other night and their were so many lamps I thought it was the Aurora!!
Does need a bit of a lift... One thing though, either levels or curves, never both... curves are more powerful, however I believe you use Elements so I think levels as I think that curves are a little crippled...
Phil
Posted by Phil Ellard on November 13, 2012 at 2:54 PM
cracking encounter, well taken, just think of how much better it would be on a d800
Discussion
10 repliesIn anticipation of good weather this morning (forecast was perfect!), I arrived at the fox site just before dawn. The weather was superb, clear skies, frost, and mist. All I needed to do was to find a fox. I'm sure you can guess what happened. I could find a single sodding animal! Not a single one. I searched as the sun gradually got higher, melting the frost and burning off the mist. Eventually I gave up and started photographing the Egyptian Geese there. On my way out of the course, I spotted one of the youngsters sat in the long grass. I thought I'd hang around for a bit. After about 10 minutes, a squirrel came towards it across the fairway. The fox turned to look at it. I realised what might happen, so quietly got up and moved around a group of gorse bushes to get a better angle. That took all of 10 seconds. By the time I got to the other side, the Fox was 40 yards away, on the other side of the fairway, with the squirrel in its mouth. It proceeded to trot across the fairway again, and disappeared into a gorse bush. Following a bit of squealing, the squirrel escaped. Don't feel too bad though, the fox caught a vole minutes later!
I wish that it had been in the sun (which it would have been had it been 2 metres further back!), but hey, it's a fox with a squirrel, so I'm happy enough.
Techs:
Nikon D300s
Nikon 200-400mm f4 VR
Handheld
F4
1/400s
ISO 400
Oscar
Nick.
David
Keith.
Oscar
JR
The second one is simply stunning even if it is a big crop.
Living in the heart of Angus I have no chance of photographing these, I was out late the other night and their were so many lamps I thought it was the Aurora!!
Very well done
Ian
Phil