Another Night of Snuffling

Once again at bedtime the two Hedgehogs were on the feeding area and once again they took no notice of Bobby or myself. As last night Mrs. H was totally engrossed in scoffing the dried mealworms while Mr H kept up the 'walk round in circles and nose touching' routine.

One of the rare occasions where you can see how long a Hedgehog's legs are.


I managed to take several photos and some video clips.  Not the easiest of things one handed as I was holding on to Bobby's collar with the other. He wouldn't attack but was desperate for a closer look at his spiky friends.


At one stage three was a crowd when another Hedgehog appeared. As soon as Mr H noticed the intruder was sent on his way with lots of loud squeals - from which I'm not exactly sure as they were out of sight at that moment. Once the intruder had been sent back under the fence to next door's garden Mr H went back to the serious business of courting his chosen mate. Not that she seemed the slightest interested though there was no aggression from either of them.



We spent about 20 minutes watching from about 2 metres away. In the end Mr H hurried off and was followed by Mrs H who seemed to go chasing after him.

Snuffling Hedgehogs

About 10 p.m. last night I noticed another Hedgehog encounter where one charges at the other and pushes it away from the feed dish. They disappeared from the view of the camera so I didn't think any more about it. When I let Bobby out at bedtime he, as usual, went straight to the feeding area to check for his spiky friends. Nothing at the dish but he heard two hedgehogs snuffling away in the shadows nearby.

I had my LED torch so I could see them touching noses as they snuffled away. As I nipped in to fetch the Lumix I expected they would be long gone by the time I got back but this time my luck was in. They were so engrossed in this part of their mating ritual they took no notice of me, the torch light or the camera flashing.





I also managed to take a short piece of video with the TZ7, just with the illumination of the torch, so that should be ready for Friday at the Flicks.

Macro on Monday - Guess What

Congratulations to Jan, Glo and Wilma for gaining the virtual gold stars last Monday. Yes, it was a close view of one of the ball shaped flowers on my Buddleia Globosa bush. It should be attracting many butterflies but they are a scarcity this year so far.

   



 Just on the right of the photo above is the end of my fruit cage which has a connection with this week's mystery photo.

Guess what:


 No prizes for a correct identification - just for fun.

Friday at the Flicks - Hedgehogs

If the Hedgehog food dish is empty then it is always worth checking underneath in case anything fell through the mesh. Not the easiest thing to do when your spikes get caught in the holes.



I have seen Hedgehogs charge at each other on many occasions but this one seems to have succumbed to food rage when it caught another eating what it thought was its private stash of free food. A real Hedgehog temper tantrum as can be seen in the first half of the clip. Both ended up with a share of the food and each went its separate way in the end. The only injury seems to have been to pride.

Young Hedgehog

This young Hedgehog usually arrives before dark sets in and helps itself to most of the dried mealworms in the dish. One night when I noticed it was there I went out with the camera and as long as I kept my distance it carried on eating, though with one eye on me. The flash from the camera did not bother it at all. Sticking to its nose are bits from the crushed unsalted peanuts.





There are at least two regulars and there may be as many as four. It is hard to tell. If you think of Hedgehogs as timid little creatures then you are in for a shock when you see Friday's video. I have seen Hedgehogs charge each other in the past but what was caught on camera was a  Hedgie Tantrum and really took me, and the opponent I think, by surprise.

Total Lunar Eclipse on June 15th

For sky watchers and Lunar photographers there will be a total Lunar eclipse on 15th June. Unfortunately the ony continent which will not be able to see it is North America but it will be visible from the rest of the world. This will be the longest Lunar eclipse for 11 years and will last 100 minutes with the Moon in the shadow of the Earth.

Further information and timing can be found by clicking on the following:

Spaceweather
Wikipedia
NASA
Space.com

All we need is a clear sky!

Macro on Monday - Guess What

Congratulations and virtual gold stars to Glo, Wilma and Matron who recognised the close shot of a cone. I am not sure of the variety. I do know the tree was bought by previous owners of the property next door as a Christmas Tree many years ago. At the end of the festive season it was planted in the garden.

   

How will you get on with this one I wonder.
Guess what:


Clue: Come to the butterfly ball.


Great Tit Update.
Glancing out of the kitchen window early this morning I was rewarded with a short glimpse of an adult Great Tit being followed by three youngsters. They are already strong accomplished fliers. I wonder if the fourth youngster was with the other adult. I hope so.