Nocturnal Wildlife Photography

[Fiat Lux]

Well, I just attempted to post the details and lost it all.

Rather than start all over I'll just post the photos again and see if it goes through this time.

All that typing for nothing. :mad2:

[Josh]

Wow! Beautiful shots! Much better than the commercial camera traps (homebrews usually are).

Nice job!

[Fiat Lux]

Thanks Josh.

My apologies to everyone. I'm experiencing internet connection problems today. Hopefully I'll get them straightened out soon.

Great first impression, huh?

[Kokopeli]

Great shots. I'd love to see more.

[Grandpaw]

I really like this group of photos, GREAT JOB, Jeff :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[tufcat]

Nice photos. Something different too.

[CERAMICMIKE]

Nice images. I use camera traps to find out what wildlife is roaming particular areas, but the image quality I get is nothing like you are achieving. What equipment are you using?

[Fiat Lux]

Hi CERAMICMIKE,

I started with the trail/game cameras and was not satisfied with the image quality so I put together a system of my own.

The system is still evolving, right now I'm using a Canon 20D, Canon 24-70 2.8L, Sunpak 540 flash, "The Time Machine" programmable controller using two infrared beam sensors and two (when I can get them both working) battery powered Lancerlight 320w slave strobes.

It's a "trial and error work in progress".

[CERAMICMIKE]

Thanks Fiat Lux.

You have inspired me to have a go.

I would be grateful for any info, particularly with regard to equipment.

[OldClicker]

Here is the site on his Time Machine controller.

https://bmumford.securewebsites.com/photo/camctlr.html

Terry

[Fiat Lux]

CERAMICMIKE

I would be more than happy to share anything I've learned so far. Feel free to PM me for more detailed info., there's just so much I don't really know where to start.

[Eric D]

very cool stuff....nice work!!!

[CERAMICMIKE]

Here is the site on his Time Machine controller.

https://bmumford.securewebsites.com/photo/camctlr.html

Terry

Thanks, Terry.

[CERAMICMIKE]

Thank you.

[Loupey]

These are very nice. I like the lighting on the raccoon shot. The expression by the 2nd opossum is too funny!

[Fiat Lux]

Thanks Loupey,

There's a little bit more to this nocturnal photography than meets the eye.

First time I set-up at this particular site I noticed a pattern. The first and second nights the coyotes (there was a pair) would show up around 10:00pm, the coons (two) arrived around 2:00am, the possums around 4:00am. By the third night the possums came earlier, they were mixing with the coons. I figgured the possums got tired of left-overs. I was surprised the coons didn't run the possums away (coons are tough characters, I don't care what the Disney folks would have us believe) but the coons showed a certain respect for the possums (?). Fourth night, the possums showed just after dark (first at the bait), when the coyotes returned at the usual time the possums and coyotes didn't get along very well. To make a short story long, ultimately the possums prevailed over the coyotes and the coons and totally dominated the site. I was stunned. I've always viewed the possums as sort of slow moving, dull-witted, laid back, creatures of the night. The photos revealed that was not at all the case (that last shot is a prime example).

After capturing nothing but possums the remaining nights (well over a hundred shots) I abandoned the site.

Who knew?

[Josh]

Funny you mention this about 'coons and 'possums competing...and not to hijack your thread...

I've seen a number of examples where raccoons do just what you mention (push the possum out right away). But, it always seems like the 'possums are patient enough to wait out the raccoon and come back for more. So, because they aren't "quitters" they end up getting some food out of it!

Here is a series of pictures I got that sort of outline what I'm talking about.... note the time-stamp on each photo.

The bait is a scrap of meat wired to a stake.

The oppossum shows up right away and works at the bait for a while he keeps trying to pull the bait away, but can't.



Pretty soon a raccoon shows up and he quickly kicks the 'possum out.




But the raccoon only works at it for alittle while and then gives up.


A few hours later, the 'possum (or an oppossum) shows up again and is finally able to get into the bait.




This interaction is interesting. I imagine one wins sometimes and the other wins out other times. One tidbit that's worth mentioning....talking with folks working for the state regulatory agency about rabies...raccoons are one of the biggest rabies vectors in the state (as are fox), but apparently they don't often find oppossums that carry the disease. The thinking is that, perhaps, any aggressive interactions between raccoons and oppossums or fox and oppossums usually end badly for the 'possum. In other words if a rapid 'coon or fox attacks an oppossum, typically the oppossum dies rather than just getting bitten, contracting the disease and becoming a vector....

[Fiat Lux]

Hey Josh,

Maybe it's a case of "size matters".

In the "egg site" photo it appears the possum decided to defend the bait. The coyotes may have decided it wasn't worth the effort. That was the last coyoye photo I got at that site.

I had to go back a good ways to find the other photos. They were taken with a 35mm "CamTrakker" (I'm guessing about eight or nine ago, no EXIF info). Approaching a bobcat with a beaver, like the possum in the photos, is awfully bold, but then again...check-out the size of that possum.

"This interaction is interesting. I imagine one wins sometimes and the other wins out other times. One tidbit that's worth mentioning....talking with folks working for the state regulatory agency about rabies...raccoons are one of the biggest rabies vectors in the state (as are fox), but apparently they don't often find oppossums that carry the disease. The thinking is that, perhaps, any aggressive interactions between raccoons and oppossums or fox and oppossums usually end badly for the 'possum. In other words if a rapid 'coon or fox attacks an oppossum, typically the oppossum dies rather than just getting bitten, contracting the disease and becoming a vector...."

(Were you talking to Perry S.?)

I really can't assume the majority of conflicts between coons/foxes and possums ends in death for the possum. The only animals I've observed that actually "got physical" was two redtail hawks. It seems the conflicts are usually resolved by agressive/defensive posturing. Other areas may be different. With the abundant food supply here it may not be worth the risk of injury/death for a meal.

Cool photos, interesting info!

[Josh]

Hey Josh,

Maybe it's a case of "size matters".

Yeah! That was a big possum on those photos of yours!!

(Were you talking to Perry S.?)

No....a woman I know named Colleen O that works for the commission....

I really can't assume the majority of conflicts between coons/foxes and possums ends in death for the possum. The only animals I've observed that actually "got physical" was two redtail hawks. It seems the conflicts are usually resolved by agressive/defensive posturing. Other areas may be different. With the abundant food supply here it may not be worth the risk of injury/death for a meal.

Yeah, I agree 100% that it's mostly going to be posturing, etc. rather than attack. I *think* the point the person from the commission was trying to make when talking with me about it was that a rapid fox/coon isn't behaving normally, and may be more aggressive than usual (perhaps going beyond the normal posturing), and the typical 'possum is less likely to survive such an encounter. I don't think they have any data to back that up, but it's an interesting idea, I guess. It is weird that there are much fewer 'possums with rabies in NC...wonder what that's about?

Anyways...cool new pics! Thanks for posting!

Josh

[paulnj]

Those are some great images. That bobcat is great to see!