Finally photographed the Vixen

After months of trying I finally managed to get a photograph of the elusive vixen.

I was outside photographing the dog fox earlier this evening at the front of the garden. Things were normal and he was wandering close to me and letting me take the usual dozen or so snaps. Eventually he decided to wander off into the neighbouring gardens and it was then that I noticed a very faint pair of eyes glinting in the gloom at the furthest end of the garden. For a minute or so it was just a pair of eyes, and some slight rustling in the fallen leaves. I fully expected her to take the usual option of disappearing over the back fence.

To my astonishment she ventured forward as far as the steps at the top end of the lawn. From where I was (and I sure wasn't going to try and move closer) she was effectively out of camera range, but I managed to get one shot off with the flash. She waited a moment or two longer and then slowly ambled away back to the cover of the trees. From what I could see, her tail isn't as bushy as the dog's, but her coat looked in good condition.

So I got my picture. The quality is awful, the lighting is almost non-existent and she was too far away. I'm happy!

vixen1810022

It's now a few hours later. The rain is falling outside. I caught a glimpse of a young fox mid evening (not the vixen or the dog fox) at the side of the pond, but he ran for the shrubs when he saw me. And then our regular visitor turned up again near the back door. He was sheltering under the shrubs. The wet (but unseasonally warm) weather is obviously affecting behaviour. Here he is getting a bird's eye view of our back room from the garage roof.

fox1810038sm

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. zenya

    21 Oct 2005

    HI Words,

    Thanks for a great shot.. She looks amazing !

    Eve

  2. Capegirl

    22 Oct 2005

    Hi Words

    I loved those two eyes in the darkness! I've been watching a documentary about crocodiles in Yala game reserve in India. There was a great shot that they took after dark of about 140 crocodile eyes in the pitch black night. I'm glad you got your shot. I just recently bought a good camera so I know how you feel…waiting patiently…for days..even! LOL

  3. lilacfairy

    23 Oct 2005

    Oh I enjoyed those photographs, the eyes in the dark were wonderful, the other is too of him on the garage roof. :yes:

  4. Words

    23 Oct 2005

    I've got loads of shots of 'headlamps' in the distance (ie foxes out of range of the flash). The early pix were very silly indeed. Just dots of light in a vast black background. I'll post one in my next blog.

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