Mammal of the day

tufftie · #**426** (**permalink**) 28-07-2008, 12:52 AM

The squirrel was lovely and eventually made his way closer until Figsy (the cat ) woke up

As for mink and any other non native mammal or plant or mineral - i thought all humans stemmed from a village in Africa?

ron1863 · #**427** (**permalink**) 28-07-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tufftie

The squirrel was lovely and eventually made his way closer until Figsy (the cat ) woke up

As for mink and any other non native mammal or plant or mineral - i thought all humans stemmed from a village in Africa?

Why am I pale then

tufftie · #**428** (**permalink**) 28-07-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1863

Why am I pale then

I think it's more to do with the shape of your extremities

ron1863 · #**429** (**permalink**) 28-07-2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tufftie

I think it's more to do with the shape of your extremities

I said pale not pole dear.

mh68 · #**430** (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 12:58 AM

The garden`s been pretty busy with Hedgehogs these last few days. We now have 5 different ones visiting - 4 adults and one very small juvenile. Managed these shots tonight of two feeding together.The Woodmouse has been pretty active in between visits from the hogs too, but has so far evaded my camera...i`ll nab him eventually though

Mark H

deer boy · #**431** (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 01:05 AM

Lovely shots Mark

i look forward to the Woodmouse shots

mh68 · #**432** (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deer boy

Lovely shots Mark

i look forward to the Woodmouse shots

Cheers

I think i need to set up a separate baited spot for the Woodmouse to be in with a chance of some shots - it sneaks out when the hogs have left, but the hogs visit so regularly through the night the mouse is only active for a few minutes at a time, so chances of managing a shot in that time are slim at best.

Mark H

mh68 · #**433** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:23 AM

Had a cracking night tonight taking pics in the garden. Managed to nab the Woodmouse, and got a lot of nice Hedgehog shots, including some of the youngster, and the youngster feeding with an adult.
As I mentioned last night, I set up a few more different feeding spots to hopefully attract the Woodmouse, which was only venturing out when the hogs werent present. Turned out a bit differently than I expected - the new baited spots kept the hogs away from the main feeding area, so Mr Woodmouse could come and go as he pleased without having to dodge the hogs

Woodmouse...

Youngster and adult feeding together...

Mark H

pressld2 · #**434** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 08:40 AM

Beautiful shots, Mark. Mind if I ask what your lighting set up is? Doesn't look like on-camera flash...

Dave P.

jennyb · #**435** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 10:03 AM

Mark, these are really great shots. How close were you and what lens were you using?

Jenny

Pete Collins · #**436** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 10:54 AM

Nice shots, Mark! You're very lucky to have those garden visitors!

ron1863 · #**437** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 11:34 AM

Beautiful shots Mark, how long did you have to wait to get them.

shirl · #**438** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 12:00 PM

Super shots Mark, love the wood mouse specially

Shirl

mh68 · #**439** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the comments,

Dave, single on-camera flash with homemade diffuser made from a 2pt Milk carton (last of the big spenders!!).

Jenny, the shots were taken with my Canon 90-300 EF, and in 99% of cases I was at min. focussing distance, which was just under 5ft from the animals. I set up a red lamp to focus by, and the animals were so oblivious of it (and me) they often came too close to focus on. The juv hedgehog came within 1ft of me on several occasions.

Ron, the hogs always appear round 10-30pm at the moment, and from then until about 1am when I finished, they never left the garden

The Wood Mouse took a while to get shots of though,they were the last shots I managed last night, so I guess it took about 2hrs or so to get him.

Thanks again for the kind words,a few more pics are on my Flickr page

Mark H

deer boy · #**440** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:50 PM

Stunning shots mark glad u got the Woodmouse

well worth the wait & even more wonderful shots on your Flickr page

mh68 · #**441** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:54 PM

Thanks mate. Using that red light made all the difference, they dont notice it at all

Mark H

mh68 · #**442** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 11:29 PM

More Wood Mouse antics tonight, this time it showed before dusk, managed a few shots and was pretty pleased. Then, later, at the same time the hogs started to arrive at the food, he popped out again, this time sitting totally oblivious to me less than 5ft away, and the noise of the camera etc.
These are 2 of the many shots I got of him tonight...both are uncropped, full frame shots

Mark H

deer boy · #**443** (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 11:54 PM

More super shots mate, think i'm going to have to try & get one in my garden

mh68 · #**444** (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 12:36 AM

Cheers. It`s taken 12 months to have resident Wood Mice in the garden. Prior to that they were only occasional visitors

Mark H

Kayleigh · #**445** (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh68

More Wood Mouse antics tonight, this time it showed before dusk, managed a few shots and was pretty pleased. Then, later, at the same time the hogs started to arrive at the food, he popped out again, this time sitting totally oblivious to me less than 5ft away, and the noise of the camera etc.
These are 2 of the many shots I got of him tonight...both are uncropped, full frame shots

Mark H

Hi Mark,
he is lovely I have one maybe more in my garden I can't get close enough for a decent shot they are very shy.

Nice shots..

pressld2 · #**446** (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 01:36 PM

Lovely shots there Mark, your DIY diffuser is the business.

Do tell more about the red light. I had no idea that hog's and mouse's eyes are not attuned to red. Do you need any particular wavelength or just a red decorative bulb from B&Q?

Dave P.

mh68 · #**447** (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 03:27 PM

Thanks Elaine,this one`s very shy too in daylight, but he`s a bit more confident once it`s dark.
Dave, its just a plain red 60w light bulb, stuck in an old table lamp on an extension lead,and hung above the hogs feeding area on the branch where I hang the bird feeders.The difference in the animal`s confidence under the red light is amazing. I think most mammals react less to a red light, its always recommended to use red filters on torches when watching shy mammals such as Badgers etc.I never realised how much difference it made though,until I tried it

Mark H

shirl · #**448** (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh68

More Wood Mouse antics tonight, this time it showed before dusk, managed a few shots and was pretty pleased. Then, later, at the same time the hogs started to arrive at the food, he popped out again, this time sitting totally oblivious to me less than 5ft away, and the noise of the camera etc.
These are 2 of the many shots I got of him tonight...both are uncropped, full frame shots

Mark H

Gorgeous shots Mark, isn't he a lovely specimen

Shirl