That's two nights in a row that Shutterbug has provided the opportunity to photograph a fox. It feels a very long time since that has happened. I'm not going to complain though. He's always a very welcome visitor.
These two shots from tonight.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
12 Comments
He's almost "tame", isn't he? One begins to wonder about the theory of the less-fearful wolves evolving into dogs in prehistoric times. Experiments have been conducted on foxes in Russia that indicate that foxes, when selected for tolerance of humans, become very doglike, over a surprisingly few generations.
Always nice to see him 😀
dW, he's been around since he was a small cub so is quite relaxed with me. They vary so much though… his siblings were very shy, and none of the other current group of foxes will show themselves at all.
Darko, yes he's always welcome, and so well behaved too.
Erwin, thanks!
Exactly the point the researchers made … those individuals who, by some genetic mischance, were less human-phobic, eventually gave rise to the early dog.
Incidentally, the Russian foxes so selected became, not only behaviourally, but physically, changed, including colouring (Piebald seemed to crop up), and shorter snouts.
I saw that Russian research. Rather odd, and yet shows the degree to which humans are capable of manipulating animals.
Anyway, he's a fine-looking fox :up:
I've seen the Russian research in the past. An odd (and somehow typically 1950s) research project. That's how it seemed to me. No risk of Shutterbug turning piebald for a few generations yet 😉
Not sure what the researchers or you, dW, and Adele would make of this. (relevant part starts at 1:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBW0h69-USc
Mick, she's certainly got the human well trained! 😀
😆
Very nice Pict