Last but not least in my look back at my photo year, we come to mammals big and small – with a reptile thrown in for good measure as well. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to photograph so many of the creatures which we share this planet with. Each one is special and each chance to see them thrills me. Enjoy this view of pika, marmots, bison, foxes, bears and so much more!
Red fox keeps close watch while out for a walk
An absolutely beautiful creature for Fox Friday. Jumping back to early October when I was lucky enough to have spent a good bit of time with one of these guys.
I staked out a pretty good hiding spot and was able to watch it for a good while. The fox worked its way back and forth through a field, never really trying to hunt, just seeming to be out for a walk.
Something caught its eye briefly and I was able to snap this image as it stopped mid-stride. Kind of a fun pose and it gives a nice look at those “socks.”
Red fox licks its chops
What a pose, eh? So stinking cute! Taken earlier this week on an after work walk and posting now for Fox Friday. As I walked along a little wetland area, I saw where a lot of the reeds were matted down, sure signs of a critter. As I slowly approached, there the fox was, all curled up and out cold sleeping. I snapped a bunch of pics of it as it slumbered and eventually, it woke up and looked right at me, at one point licking its chops as you see here. As I was standing straight into the sun, I am sure I was silhouetted and looked like nothing more than an odd-shaped shadow. The fox didn’t show any alarm, just lying there, looking at me, seemingly trying to figure out what I was. In fact, it started to doze off again. Not wanting to disturb it, I very, very slowly backed away and, unfortunately, that little movement was enough for the fox to realize I was one of those big, bad humans and it darted off. A very fun encounter and why I always say, you just need to #GetOutside!
Red fox stalks a magpie
A fun game of chase I was lucky to watch early last month. This fox and magpie were both on patrol, the fox looking for a meal, the magpie wanting any leftovers that might be available. However, the fox seemed tempted to try to have the bird itself for dinner, chasing it around.
It appeared as much as anything the fox was just playing though as it never really tried very hard and eventually just laid down and watched the magpie. Fun stuff to watch, no matter what the scenario was.
Have a great Fox Friday!
Focused fox for Fox Friday
What a stunner of a fox, eh? Last month I went through a period where I was pretty fortunate spotting these elusive creatures on my walks, having some pretty cool encounters. On this day, this sly one was on the prowl and as I watched and photographed it, something got its attention. It froze in place, staring off at whatever it had spotted, giving me a great profile shot.
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!
Red fox curious about those two-legged creatures
So cute! I of course have seen dogs tilt their heads like this and foxes when listening for prey but this beautiful red one did it when trying to figure out the photographer standing on the hill above it.
My friend and I were watching it as it hunted a field, completely oblivious to our presence. As it worked its way closer, it had the sudden realization that it was not alone. It looked up the hill and seemed to be asking itself, “Where did those guys come from?” Of course it only took it a minute to realize it didn’t want to be that close and it darted off to different hunting grounds.
Hope you have a fantastic #FoxFriday!
Red fox poses for pictures in front of the changing fall foliage
So, I have had some pretty danged good luck with foxes lately, as seen in this image for Fox Friday.
I was recently out photographing with a friend and we knew foxes were in the area and I joked, “I want a fox to come sit right on that log and pose for us.” No joke, five minutes later, I look over and there is a fox on a log looking right at us!
It wasn’t the same log I had pointed to but this one was in fact better as it had a lot more character and the leaves behind made the scene even better. The fox was clearly very much aware of our presence but tolerated us as we were a good ways away.
It was wary at first, standing for quite a while and clearly ready to run. We just stayed put and watched, marveling at its beauty and enjoying the opportunity. It then sat down, giving us some great poses. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Red fox leaps head on through the grass
Umm. Yeah. This happened! I decided I couldn’t want for Fox Friday to share this crazy cool capture so here it is a couple days early.
While exploring an open space, I spotted this gorgeous fox as it patrolled the area. It disappeared over a hill but I suspected it was just over the crest. Crouching down, I slowly and quietly followed and as I neared the top, I spotted it standing there, surveying its domain. It was completely unaware of my presence as I snapped some initial images of it posing.
Suddenly, it decided it was time to move and much to my surprise, it bounded right at me! This is when I resort to the ‘spray and pray’ method of photography – squeeze the trigger, try to stay on the target and hope like heck you get the shot.
Well, I did! The fox made two bounds through the grass toward me and then it finally spotted me. At that point, it put the brakes on, made a fast turn and headed off, no doubt as surprised as I was at the encounter. In the end, I captured what is probably my best fox action shot to date and walked away with a huge grin on my face.
Red fox wakes from its nap
A follow-on picture to the sleeping fox image I shared this morning. As I mentioned, after I watched it sleep for a bit, it did wake up. When it did, it seemed a bit surprised to find someone with a camera pointed right at it. That probably wasn’t the nicest way to wake from a nap but it didn’t seem to mind too much. It laid there briefly, studying me, then got up and walked off into the bushes.
Hope you are having a fantastic Fox Friday.
Let sleeping foxes lie
Talk about a charmed encounter! With cooler temperatures and the sun getting lower on the horizon, I have been able to go for some photo walks after work again. This week, one of my stops to an area open space was absolutely fantastic.
As I walked along, I saw something red on the other side of a bush. I was pretty sure it was just trash but, just in case, I slowed down and moved quietly. Much to my delight, I found this gorgeous red fox lying down and taking a daytime nap in the warmth of the sun!
It isn’t often you get foxes out in the open, let alone one taking a nap. It did wake up eventually and gave me some nice looks before deciding it didn’t care for the intrusion and moving off. Definitely a cool pic for Fox Friday.