That's Why They Call it Fox Chase Farm

Like all of America, I'm doing my best to stop the spread of Corona Virus by staying home and keeping up with the social distancing requirements. I generally work from home anyway, so that part is easy for me. Connie and I are set up in different parts of the house to work (somehow, she got the sunroom). We still get outside every day to walk Peanut. We are going to Pennypack and Lorimer parks which is really nice. Lorimer Park butts up against Fox Chase Farm which has big open cow pastures and a beautiful view.

The other day, I noticed a fox one of the cow pastures at Fox Chase Farm. And, as the name suggests, I watched her as she stalked and chased her prey. She would sit very still with laser focus on the grass in front of her.

Listening for critters

Then, she would leap into the air and come down hard hoping to pin the prey.

The Pounce!

She did this several times. Stare. Pounce. Stare. Pounce.

And finally, one last pounce lunging directly away from my camera lens . . .

Victory! A rodent of some sort to bring back to her kits. She looked directly at me as if to say "Got it!"

Success

She trotted off through the field. What a way to spend 15 minutes before going back to the reality of our pandemic situation.

Getting Brighter Now

Good news. Today is 12/22. You know what that means right?  Yes, Santa is right around the corner but that's not what I'm talking about. The good news is that the days are getting longer again. Yay! More daylight can't come soon enough. I have had it with darkness.  And gloom too.

The next step toward brightness is our Christmas cruise to the Caribbean!  Mom and Dave sprang it on us a while ago but now it is finally real. I'm packing as I type.

The final bright spot to speak of is that my friend Harvey lent me his 300mm Canon lens to play around with. My regular 100-400mm zoom lens somehow got dust inside and I think it has been affecting the brightness of my photos lately. Here are a few test shots from the past few days.

First - this fox trotted across the path at Lorimer Park the other morning. The light was dim but I still managed to get the shot.

Foxy

This Carolina Wren was pretty upset with me and Roxy as we walked past. The sun was bright and this little guy looked like he was enjoying it too.

Carolina Wren

Today, Roxy and I spooked another wren. This one is Winter Wren. It is the only photo that I have ever managed to get of one. They are pretty secretive birds but this one sat on the log in the woods. The lighting was mixed but the bird chose a nice sunny spot.

Winter Wren

Off to pack my camera and the loaner lens for the trip.  I wish for good weather.  Grand Cayman and Cozumel - woo hoo.