fox photography, need help!!!!

[chris/gilbert1]

Hi everyone, im currently at uni and outside my halls of residence there is a family of foxes. I am wanting to get some decent footage of them but dont want to spook them. I live more or less in the middle of leeds so they are pretty used to people, was just wondering if any experieced fox photographer had any hints or tips as to how to get close, do's and don'ts

thanks for any help

chris

[Words]

The main thing that spooks foxes is movement, so if you know where they are going to be and get there first (and keep still/quiet), they will probably take no notice of you. Small amounts of food (peanuts, dog food) will keep them occupied (and returning to the same site).

Some foxes are quite bold and will come up close... otherwise will always be shy.

Are you shooting video or stills? And in daylight or at night? If night, then flash will tend to cause eyeshine (eyes look light headlights) unless the flash is quite close to them, or set to the side. Off-camera flash is better if you have the equipment and a good idea of where they will congregate (more depth to the shot).

Some of my recent night shots are here: The Complete Fox of the Day

[chris/gilbert1]

Thats really helpful thank you, the foxes around where i live are alot more cautious of people so i rarely see them, wanted to take this opportunity while i could

I am doing the shoot at about 4am, so it will be light by then. Doing some still shots of the main den, may do some video aswell. The kits have just started appearing aswell so i wanted to try and get a few pictures of them before i leave uni. For future reference, i saw in your night shots you used a flash does this not spook the foxes or are they not really bothered?

thanks again

Chris

[Words]

Chris, my foxes are really not bothered, but most of them get used to me when they're a few weeks old so a flashing light is just something in the environment for them. That said, the current male adult simply won't come anywhere near me and I have almost no photos of him at all. The vixen is fine about it though (she was a cub here a couple of years ago).