I hurriedly prepared some crushed unsalted peanuts and added a slack handful of dried mealworms then scattered them on the slabs hoping the hog would come back again while it was still light enough to take a photo or two.
My luck was in - somebody was hungry. About half an hour later the hog reappeared. Not wanting to disturb him - I think it was Henry - I leant the camera against the glass in the back door. Too dark. Slow shutter, blurry pictures. Oh well, try with the flash. Had to focus manually but the idea worked - no reflection from the glass, probably as the camera was pointing well down and the rubber hood was against the glass.
I also managed a short piece of video from the outside camera. Henry was having a drink of water to wash down all that free food.
I hadn't realised until I looked at these photographs how large the feet are. I seem to remember reading that the legs are longer than they look - three to four inches long. Also they can run as fast as a person can walk. They certainly never seem to hang around and always seem to be rushing somewhere.
Thanks again, grand chap, can guess where he's off to now.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos John, he was out early. I have noticed it is getting dark that little bit earlier though :( I enjoyed the video, my goodness he was a thirsty chap!
ReplyDeleteHow is your foot today? A lot better I hope but don't try to do too much too soon on it.
Loved your pictures especially the first one. I didn't realise hedgehogs had such furry tummies even in summer.
ReplyDeleteHi Adrian. He probably went beetle hunting next door.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan. I was pleased with the first one. There were a few others but not as sharp as that one. What surprised me was that he took no notice of the flash, which is very bright on this camera.
ReplyDeleteYes. The daylight hours are already shorter, especially when there is thick cloud about.
The foot - a lot better than you. Just a dull ache now when I put any weight on it but at least I can get about without cursing. Bobby has been very good and automatically adjusts his speed to mine so he isn't pulling.
Thank you Helen. I was pleased with the first one. They always look a bit funny to me with that hairy skirt. It must be a problem keeping cool in the really hot weather even when they get in the shade.
ReplyDeleteFor flash through a glass door John, that's an excellent result.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to start feeding him earlier now. He knows when he's on a winner with that food.
Great photos. You said it was still light at 9pm. Wow! I forget how long your daylight and twilight hours are at this time! Nothing like that at this latitude even in mid-summer.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith. I was very surprised to get no glare from the glass. I think if it had been a doubled glazed door the results would have been very different.
ReplyDeleteI normally wait until all the birds have gone to roost otherwise they try to grab the lot if I put food out early!
Thank you Mick. Yes, at 9 p.m. it would have been light enough to do without the flash but the light was fading fast. I had always assumed you daylight hours were similar to ours, taking the 6 month difference into account.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures John and that's some thirsty Hedgehog! Some of the best pictures using flash "through the window" shots I've seen!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your Achilles Tendon (in your earlier post) - had similar problem a couple of years ago - not nice - I do empathize! Hope it gets sorted very soon!
Thank you Tricia. The flexible rubber hood I bought for the lens (I hated the solid plastic one which came with it) helps to seal the lens to the glass and shelter it from glare. A technique I used many years ago to photograph fish and insects in the tropical house at a zoo.
ReplyDeleteJust a dull ache at the bottom of the heel now. At least the sharp pain only lasted a few days.