The Formby Foxes ...

[PMG]

Two afternoons on the trot we have gone to Formby to have a look at the foxes. Yesterday we were reqrded with one of the young vixens .... today the old dog himself turned up and sat with both of us - on the understanding that we had brought cooked sausages! He sat with us and we had time to see what an old lad he is now - arthritic, battle scarred, with a bent but mended leg and tail - both looked as tho they had been broken at some time and he still has marks on his nose, but what a grand old boy he is. Then the vixen turned up too and just before darkness we had two with us ..... magic .....

[Picidae]

Stunning PMG! An absolute fantastic set of portraits - very healthy looking too, literally bright eyed and bushy tailed Rather more rufous than my nightly garden visitor despite the regular supply of raw chicken, marmite sandwiches - (and quiche lorraine tonight which he bizarely has taken a fondness too!

More images for the Wabbers RSPB Christmas card collection - unless Stuart fancies getting a sideline going and help us to do some WAB ones next year, might be a nice earner!

[PMG]

Thanks Picidae - yes they do love 'eggy' things don't they One of the locals at Formby feeds them every night - she brings all sorts of left overs and table scaps from (I think?) a retirement home: I've also in the past seen her bring fish and chips - so these will be the reasons for the good coats and bright eyes! We still don't know for sure just how many foxes there are - the locals will have a better idea - but the old dog is the one I first photographed with my then new 100-400 lens (these latest are with the 500). We know that he has two 'daughters' the young vixens from last year and we have been told that a vixen (perhaps their mother) was killed on the road to the reserve some time ago ......... I found it fascinating sat there with him sat in front of me - occasionally making eye contact - with a sort of 'Well are you going to give me sausages or not?' look in his eyes! I would love to know exactly what their lives are made up of - what they do and where they go and what happens to them on a daily basis .......... We see wildlife - we watch it and even with close contact like this - we've still no real idea of what their lives are like .......... If I had a wish I would like to experience their lives for 24 hours and see nature from the inside - I suspect it wouldn't be a comfortable experience ..........

[Ukwildlifeo]

Marvellous photos. There was a tame fox at work when I first started, but it slow got less and less tame and became quite timid around people by the time I got my Dslr.

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by PMG

Two afternoons on the trot we have gone to Formby to have a look at the foxes.

And you've got some excellent shots of 'em too. Best fox shots I've seen for quite a while.

[sunnydale]

Beautiful pics Pauline. What a thrill to have one so close to you like that!

[Words]

He's looking great! Really nice set of pictures to get.

[PMG]

Thanks guys and gals: I must say I did get a lot out of that last visit - him walking up at the back of me while I was sat down texting was grand - then leading him away from the fence and the passing folks and dogs so we could sit together in peace (and sausages!) was just fabulous ..... Finding out when I got back that my pics had come out ok despite the light going was good - but not as good as just sitting there looking him in the eyes.....

I've uploaded Momji1971 (Stu's) pic of him from a few days later - I'm sure he won't mind - the more the merrier ...



So its 'peace and sausages for 2010' from Formby Fox and me and Stu

Pauline

[Gracie]

I have seen your pictures on your site, they are wonderfull, such a lovely colour too, brightens up the day. It would be interesting to see what the foxes do and where they go, but not in the hunting season, although I hope they are safe there at Formby.