I've found on other occasions that if you keep still foxes can sometimes fail to register that you're there. Once a fox wandered up to within a few feet of me and stood and stared unable to figure out what was wrong. Even so this morning the camera read-out told me that I was shooting at a shutter speed of 1/5 sec. But as you can see a few shots came out reasonably well. So there you are: pictures taken before I'd even had time to put my trousers on. (No photos available for illustration, so you'll have to make do with another of Bold Reynard).
Take care.
Wonderful (and entertaining) contribution, as usual, John! What an treat to be able to capture him - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's always special to have a close encounter with a wild animal. Glad you were able to snap the pics. Our foxes in Ontario, have black lower legs, and the colour on the body is uniformly red, except for a white chest. Perhaps this fox's fur on his back is simply faded as he is shedding out? He seems to be looking right at you in the second pic.
ReplyDeletethose eyes! mesmerizing! what a great way to begin the day. There must be something to not seeing you if you're still--I was watching a bird once and a fox ran within 2 feet of me --he was obviously intent on something else.
ReplyDelete"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Glad you had the camera handy.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Our neighbours feed the foxes so they regularly cross our garden to get there; we hear then calling late at night but rarely see them. We did, however,see one at the side of the A50 right in the town centre the other day - I hope he or she ran in the opposite direction and not into the traffic. What piercing eyes your Mr Fox has:)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this fox was desperate for food as it's pregnant or feeding her young. This fox looks quite healthy. The last one I saw here in Ontario had mange and looked terrible.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos John - I love the wildness in his eyes.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos and entertaining story. Nice to know about the keeping still part. We know foxes come around here at our new home so I'll keep your technique tips in mind.
ReplyDeleteThat fox isn't going to leave that food alone!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to have Fox visit in your backyard, - and to have the opportunity to get such great photos. I'm not sure why but this doesn't seem to be a country for foxes, although they are plentiful in the Cariboo area of B.C.
ReplyDeleteNeat pictures, John!!! You're very cool-headed in the morning!
ReplyDeleteExcellent. This fox even seems relatively healthy. The ones I have run across in New England are unfortunately often skinny and mangy-looking.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of Fantastic Mr Fox - there's one who has a regular run through our garden but I rarely see him and have never managed a photo of him. In the late winter I often hear the vixens screaming and occasionally when I'm out with B Baggins early I see one going home after his night's hunting expedition.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots! Like bagging a deer in our backyard. :)
ReplyDeleteWow I think they are great shots! and how cool to see a fox right outside your house!
ReplyDeleteAlways a thrill to see a Fox in the garden! Well done for being 'awake' enough to take a few super pics John!
ReplyDeleteWhat an early morning encounter that was and great captures too! They used to visit our garden regularly at night, I could always smell their scent in the morning. Unfortunately I heard a neighbour objected to them visiting his garden and contacted the council who 'dealt' with them :-(
ReplyDeleteYou have a very interesting blog here, I have enjoyed my visit :-)
He's got such beady ( or is it greedy) eyes ... What a great start to your day John!
ReplyDeleteI know we have foxes in our neck of the woods, but in 31 years of living here, I've seen only one and it was in the distance. It just seems to me that foxes are such an English animal, along with the hedgehog. Thank you for those almost magical photos. My husband and I were just amazed.
ReplyDeleteThe early bird catches the fox? Nice captures of the fox’s startled eyes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments, I didn't really expect such a volley of interest! Last year I had frequent visits from a whole family of foxes later in the year. The "standing still thing" seems to work with other animals too; I've had hares and weasels come straight towards me at times. And I had a Barn Owl which flew within a few feet of my head which I believe it had ideas of perching on! It's not that difficult to mistake me for a rugged old post!
ReplyDeletegreat shots too John. You know even here in suburbia I've seen a fox on my neighbours front lawn also in the early hours like you. Am close to bushland so that's obviously where they ultimately retreat to, however I guess they're on the lookout for dog/cat food containers around the neighbourhood after hours.
ReplyDelete