Wildlife in Brittany - France
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Wildlife in Brittany - France
Before confiinment was enforced in France, I was able to flee to my family house in Brittany with wife and kids to avoid being crammed in my little home place.
And it's for me the opportunity to use my Christmas gifts for camera traps.
A little bit of history:
For years, my mother was talking about "feeding the fox" on the evening by dropping leftovers somerewhere behind the house, that disappeared during the night.
She claimed she saw and even heard him once (who knows the cry of the fox ?). So we never believed her.
But, one year ago, my brother and I saw a running animal in the garden that was definitively neither a dog nor a cat.
I had bought a cheap chinese infrared camera which I placed in front of the food and on the second night:
PICT0104 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
PICT0105 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
PICT0106 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
A fox it is ! My mother was right - as usual ...
I decided that it was time for something more serious, from a photographic point of view.
I bought an infrared sensor and a remote flash trigger from Camtraptions, a cheap (again) chinese speedlite flash, rigged all this with my Nikon body, and after a few disapointing nights, catching only an ugly cat eating my bait, here's the reward:
DSC_6637_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And even a marten ("fouine" in french) was a surprising guest on another night:
DSC_6593_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
So, I am "feeding the fox" every night myself now and happily discovering every morning what critters live behing my house !
I will keep you posted of my nicest catches.
PS : for moderators: all of this is performed without going out of my garden. So I am not breaking any law (of my country and of the Forum).
And it's for me the opportunity to use my Christmas gifts for camera traps.
A little bit of history:
For years, my mother was talking about "feeding the fox" on the evening by dropping leftovers somerewhere behind the house, that disappeared during the night.
She claimed she saw and even heard him once (who knows the cry of the fox ?). So we never believed her.
But, one year ago, my brother and I saw a running animal in the garden that was definitively neither a dog nor a cat.
I had bought a cheap chinese infrared camera which I placed in front of the food and on the second night:
PICT0104 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
PICT0105 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
PICT0106 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
A fox it is ! My mother was right - as usual ...
I decided that it was time for something more serious, from a photographic point of view.
I bought an infrared sensor and a remote flash trigger from Camtraptions, a cheap (again) chinese speedlite flash, rigged all this with my Nikon body, and after a few disapointing nights, catching only an ugly cat eating my bait, here's the reward:
DSC_6637_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And even a marten ("fouine" in french) was a surprising guest on another night:
DSC_6593_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
So, I am "feeding the fox" every night myself now and happily discovering every morning what critters live behing my house !
I will keep you posted of my nicest catches.
PS : for moderators: all of this is performed without going out of my garden. So I am not breaking any law (of my country and of the Forum).
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
That's really interesting.
Good for you! I really enjoy your posts from France.
Good for you! I really enjoy your posts from France.
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- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Tue 28 Aug 2012, 6:57 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
Now I'm really jealous: the marten looks like a Beech Marten (also called Stone Marten by some) - I need that!
Also, its not easy comparing a camera trap and a proper flash photo, but to me it looks like you may have two different foxes, the camera trap pictures being a male (I'm going on an apparently broad muzzle and robust appearance, while the colour pix show a more delicately built, narrow muzzled fox.)
Also, its not easy comparing a camera trap and a proper flash photo, but to me it looks like you may have two different foxes, the camera trap pictures being a male (I'm going on an apparently broad muzzle and robust appearance, while the colour pix show a more delicately built, narrow muzzled fox.)
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
The Beech Marten was back this night:
DSC_6759_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Regarding the fox, the infrared pics were taken in october 2019. So it can very well be a different animal.
DSC_6759_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Regarding the fox, the infrared pics were taken in october 2019. So it can very well be a different animal.
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
This morning a Piranha ate my bait !
DSC_6791_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
So happy for this rare catch !
DSC_6791_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
So happy for this rare catch !
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
More seriously, the Marten came back also this night:
DSC_6809_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_6811_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And something I couldn't identify : a large pig or a small elephant ?
DSC_6816 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
To be continued / à suivre ...
DSC_6809_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_6811_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And something I couldn't identify : a large pig or a small elephant ?
DSC_6816 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
To be continued / à suivre ...
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
The Marten again:
DSC_6840_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
In French, "fouineur" is used for "snooping" (pejorative). No wonder why ...
And later on, the fox that was looking for something, but which was surprised by the flash and didn't dare to come closer (heavy crop from corner of original pic):
DSC_6847_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
In order to better get the Marten, I increased the sensitivity of my trap, but the drawback is that it triggered as the fox was too far away.
Room for improvement !
If somebody is interested in technical details of my trap, please say so. I will be happy to share and get any advice to improve my results.
DSC_6840_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
In French, "fouineur" is used for "snooping" (pejorative). No wonder why ...
And later on, the fox that was looking for something, but which was surprised by the flash and didn't dare to come closer (heavy crop from corner of original pic):
DSC_6847_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
In order to better get the Marten, I increased the sensitivity of my trap, but the drawback is that it triggered as the fox was too far away.
Room for improvement !
If somebody is interested in technical details of my trap, please say so. I will be happy to share and get any advice to improve my results.
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
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- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Tue 28 Aug 2012, 6:57 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
Fox is a vixen and has cubs somewhere, belly is naked and teats are visible. With dark areas (not lighting effects) probably soil brushed off den walls, I'm guessing she has been underground till just before she came to visit you.
I'm really enjoying this!
I'm really enjoying this!
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
FarnboroJohn wrote:Fox is a vixen and has cubs somewhere, belly is naked and teats are visible. With dark areas (not lighting effects) probably soil brushed off den walls, I'm guessing she has been underground till just before she came to visit you.
I'm really enjoying this!
That's interesting. Thanks John.
Now, I'm hopping to get the cubs.
Maybe I should stop frightening her for a while.
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
The vixen came back this night:
DSC_6900_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
She sadly seems to have some form of skin disease.
DSC_6900_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
She sadly seems to have some form of skin disease.
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
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Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
Don't think so, my regular dog fox has a similar effect and in exactly the same place. My read on this is that she is moulting into her summer coat. Moult seems to start in at least two places: front of face and shoulders, and work back from each. I can see the same band of short fur contrasting with long winter coat on Big Whitey at the moment: he also has a couple of small bald patches but the skin looks healthy and pink.
Again I can see soil darkening areas of your vixen's coat as if she has only recently come out from underground.
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Again I can see soil darkening areas of your vixen's coat as if she has only recently come out from underground.
I don't think you have anything to worry about.
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
After almost one month with nothing or so catched in my camera trap, I am lucky again.
The marten seems used to the harmless flash now, and she* is almost posing. She takes her time for diner and I get a dozen of shots every night.
* I say "she" because in French, we say "la fouine" (feminine), even for a male.
An extract (more on my flickr) :
She seems a little bit upset by the sudden light, but she is standing the camera gaze !
DSC_7232_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Last night I moved my camera closer to the food:
DSC_7287_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_7277_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_7294_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
This is not obvious from the photos, but this animal jumps more than it runs.
Not very good quality, but frozen in flight anyway (I should go for a faster setting next time):
DSC_7297_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
The marten seems used to the harmless flash now, and she* is almost posing. She takes her time for diner and I get a dozen of shots every night.
* I say "she" because in French, we say "la fouine" (feminine), even for a male.
An extract (more on my flickr) :
She seems a little bit upset by the sudden light, but she is standing the camera gaze !
DSC_7232_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Last night I moved my camera closer to the food:
DSC_7287_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_7277_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_7294_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
This is not obvious from the photos, but this animal jumps more than it runs.
Not very good quality, but frozen in flight anyway (I should go for a faster setting next time):
DSC_7297_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
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- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Tue 28 Aug 2012, 6:57 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
Yep. My experience is with Pine Martens but they do seem to bounce along, it seems to me rather in the manner of the cartoon skunk, Pepe le Peu. Great shots, the close-up portraits are brilliant!
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
No news of the vixen or cubs, but the marten is always coming to my restaurant:
DSC_7471_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And a new little guest !
DSC_7375_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
I am trying a different spot now, for a change.
DSC_7471_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And a new little guest !
DSC_7375_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
I am trying a different spot now, for a change.
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
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- Posts: 3044
- Joined: Tue 28 Aug 2012, 6:57 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
It's an Apodemus mouse, probably Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus. There are a few close relatives but your animal looks small, delicate and brown whereas Yellow-necked Mouse, the likely alternative, is larger, heavier built and has a more orangey tint to the fur.
Your marten photos continue to be amazing.
Your marten photos continue to be amazing.
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
The new spot being disapointing, I reverted to the original location.
And this time, my little guests came at once:
DSC_7704_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_7752_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
And this time, my little guests came at once:
DSC_7704_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
DSC_7752_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
dont know how but it looks like my cat Jones suddenly appeared at your house. Loving the pictures thought and looking forward to seeing more.
Life's a piece of S*** if you look at it!
- Col. Chibani
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:15 pm
Re: Wildlife in Brittany - France
The Apodemus Sylvaticus is still a regular customer of my open-air restaurant:
DSC_7824_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Noticing the ants on the meat, wife wittily remarks that my catches are getting smaller and smaller every day ...
Little she realizes that she could very well become the bait for something bigger !
DSC_7824_1 by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr
Noticing the ants on the meat, wife wittily remarks that my catches are getting smaller and smaller every day ...
Little she realizes that she could very well become the bait for something bigger !
Check my Flickr gallery : https://www.flickr.com/photos/126794731@N06/