It was members’ day at the British Wildlife Centre today and for once I had a Saturday off so I decided to go along. The centre was very busy and for once anyone who wasn’t carrying a camera and long lens was the odd one out – in fact my 70-200mm lens was positively tiny compared to some I saw there! Sadly the weather wasn’t on my side – it was very overcast and absolutely freezing so shooting a lot of the animals was a big challenge. I did quite well with the foxes (they’re such natural models) and the owls, although I quickly gave up trying to capture them in flight as there just wasn’t enough light. The new experience for me today was seeing harvest mice close up. During one of the talks the keepers had a number of them on display, exploring some carefully prepared branches. I was astonished at how small they are (their bodies are no more than 2 inches long) and I had a miniscule success rate when photographing them – these two shots are the only really presentable ones from 83 that I took of these cute little creatures!

Well done Helen. The mice are my favourites, and of course the foxes. Kay · 2011-01-22: 17:01

Wow Helen well done love the squirel mystic1 · 2011-01-22: 17:08

Wow, what a great set. The picture of the mice caught my eye a lot, but also all the others are really good! MsCumberdale · 2011-01-22: 17:29

Great shots. What a treat to see them all in one day. Love the mice, foxes, and owls most of all. photographprose · 2011-01-22: 17:41

What a great set Helen! They're all terrific! ????? · 2011-01-22: 17:51

What a fantastic set. National Geographic standard. Lynda · 2011-01-22: 18:21

Great collection ! ! ! blindspot · 2011-01-22: 18:42

cool set! kif123 · 2011-01-22: 18:44

Helen, these are fantastic shots. I just love red foxes and your shots are great. Thank you! #5 & 7 to my favorites! danrav · 2011-01-22: 20:18

I would shoot 83 pics to get those 2 adorable ones of the mice! I'm a fan of mice any way, they are just so darn cute! Nice set! DancingDolphin · 2011-01-23: 00:23

Absolutely fabulous wonderful shots! Who cares how many it took, these results are great! Saving to my favorites! darfoster · 2011-01-23: 00:29

A W E S O M E! Fantastic colors and perfect clarity! Second goes to favourites! Kovac · 2011-01-23: 01:14

Extraordinary Helen and even if the weather was not with you, I find this very successful and wonderful set ! Barn Owl is my preferred ! Thanks for this sharing josy63 · 2011-01-23: 02:34

Extraordinary set Helen - and worth it for the mice... but then those fantastic foxes too...what a wonderful outcome from your day cariad · 2011-01-23: 04:52

Love the foxes and the owls! beautiful set ! ????? · 2011-01-23: 14:26

Beautiful set.. I can't pick a favorite... I liked them all... CapeMaySunsets · 2011-01-23: 14:42

This is one of my favorite sets I've seen this year on PB! Every single shot could be a stand-alone post because they are so excellent! The owls are fantastic; I adore your foxes; but that little mouse is darling! Helen, these are worthy of a magazine feature! djnana · 2011-01-23: 15:10

lovely set. MoMac · 2011-01-23: 16:25

Superb. yellodog · 2011-01-23: 16:25

these are so fantastic, my friend! each one is awesome :):) ????? · 2011-01-23: 18:38

Awesome! Kozuka · 2011-01-23: 20:07

Very sweet :) Welldigger · 2011-01-24: 04:37

Oh...nice photos! Goldbrandi · 2011-01-24: 08:55

Fantastic selection! Excellent shots! davidcardona · 2011-01-29: 10:37

Great set! pandka · 2011-01-31: 13:46

Amazing shots! leppo614 · 2011-02-02: 14:53

Tagged: cat fox owl squirrel mouse