All in a night's work
Derbyshire Life|August 2020
Paul Hobson recalls the trials, tribulations and delights of some unexpected garden visitors
Paul Hobson
All in a night's work

Over the past 30 years, I have photographed foxes on many occasions, from the Derbyshire woods of Unstone and in my local allotments, to the wintery shores of Japan, the snow of Yellowstone and the rain lashed shores of Alaska.

Throughout this time I have had adult foxes visiting my garden regularly but on the whole they have proved difficult to photograph. I can count on the fingers of one hand successful encounters as a single fox walked through the garden in daylight.

About five years ago the random nocturnal visits of our local badgers transformed into a regular occurrence and I set myself a project to follow their story over the years. This was accomplished using a remote flash system (to provide the light with which to photograph) as they only ever came out in the dead of night. During this time, I sometimes noticed an adult fox on the periphery of an image but it never once came near the camera and flash. This changed during my Covid-19 lockdown.

As a football fan, I always watch Match of the Day and had been enjoying the repeated matches on the BBC during lock down. I was engrossed late one Saturday evening when I heard something bang loudly against our back door. I couldn’t imagine who would be calling at this hour and got up to investigate. During the spring to an autumn period I often run a moth trap at night so much of the garden was illuminated. As I gazed out of the back door window I was flabbergasted to see two young fox cubs chasing each other around. They seemed brimming with confidence and clearly had been in the garden before. I wondered how I had missed them and immediately turned my mind to working out a project to photograph them.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2020-Ausgabe von Derbyshire Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2020-Ausgabe von Derbyshire Life.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS DERBYSHIRE LIFEAlle anzeigen
Can Plants Hear?
Derbyshire Life

Can Plants Hear?

In the latest in his series on the intelligence of plants, Martyn Baguley analyses whether they have the ability to hear

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
Peak National Park and Ride
Derbyshire Life

Peak National Park and Ride

Andrew Griffihs asks what the future holds for transport in the Peak National Park and talks to Julian Glover about his Landscapes Review

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November 2020
Doubly thankful
Derbyshire Life

Doubly thankful

Mike Smith explores the village of Bradbourne, which has a particularly poignant tale to tell

time-read
5 Minuten  |
November 2020
What lies beneath
Derbyshire Life

What lies beneath

Exploring the hidden depths of Ladybower Reservoir, which conceals secrets of a fascinating past

time-read
9 Minuten  |
November 2020
Battle for our birds
Derbyshire Life

Battle for our birds

Paul Hobson analyses our complex relationship with birds of prey and how these fascinating birds are fairing in Derbyshire

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
Explore the Peak Forest
Derbyshire Life

Explore the Peak Forest

A walk through autumn fields and forests with far reaching views enriched by snippets of mystery, romance and the area’s industrial past

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
Pictures to transport you
Derbyshire Life

Pictures to transport you

Chesterfield photographer David Keep continues his photographic journey, this time recalling his favourite landscape images from around the world

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 2020
The magic of Christmas
Derbyshire Life

The magic of Christmas

Ideas for days out, gifts and where to find local produce in Derbyshire this festive season

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 2020
PENNY for the Guy
Derbyshire Life

PENNY for the Guy

We take a look at Derbyshire’s bonfire tradtions through history

time-read
7 Minuten  |
November 2020
From hardship came happiness
Derbyshire Life

From hardship came happiness

Pat Ashworth speaks with Chesterfield based retired Colonel John Doody about his inspiring life, from a diffiult childhood to overcoming diversity and finding happiness

time-read
7 Minuten  |
November 2020