They've appeared on the trail cam frequently enough, and we've enjoyed fleeting views of them in the garden, but the two vixens who share the garden have proved highly elusive to the camera. That may be changing. Last night 'Mama Vixen' made a brief appearance while we were outside. She scarpered almost at once, but not before I managed this shot. I'm calling her Mama Vixen as she's clearly had a recent brood.
The trailcam caught her a moment before that shot.
There's a second vixen who has appeared on the trail cam. I'll call her Skinny Vixen for now, as her brush is thinning and she's a much smaller fox. Here's a trailcam image from a few days ago.
The next three shots were taken this afternoon through our rear windows. And even then, the fox is being cautious and spending her time hiding behind the shrubs. It's difficult to be certain which of the two vixens she is (I didn't see her brush which would confirm things). Her general condition suggests Mama.
Now a plug for Channel 4's 'Foxes Live', which runs on three consecutive Monday's from 30th April. It looks like it will be an interesting programme and will certainly have some great footage of urban foxes. Three of the foxes they're tracking are Brighton-based.
Camera note: all daytime shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The night shot taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. The trailcam images by the Bushnell Trophy Cam.
anonymous
29 Apr 2012Yusuf Akhtar writes:
Excellent Photos. "Foxes Live" is now 4 episodes. Monday, Monday, Tuesday and a Wednesday. I will probably be in episode 2 or 3 🙂
derWandersmann
29 Apr 2012She looks very healthy (what we can see of her), and also, very curious … this looks quite promising to me.
Words
29 Apr 2012Hi Yusuf. I think they are also running some 'extra' shows on one of the sub-channels. Look forward to seeing you on TV! 😀
Words
29 Apr 2012dW, you can never tell with foxes, but this is the best time of year to get to know them.
derWandersmann
29 Apr 2012Sure. They have to be bolder, to feed the family.
SittingFox
29 Apr 2012Love the shot of the vixen peering over the bush 😀
gdare
1 May 2012Do you think they've noticed Shutterbug around and therefore they know it is a safe area? 😀
Words
1 May 2012dW, spot on. Busy foxes right now.
Words
1 May 2012Darko, they know Shutterbug is about and I suspect they are part of a family unit. But they're still shy and I think will always be that way.
Words
1 May 2012Adele, I doubt she could see me. Just naturally cautious.
gdare
2 May 2012Well, I would rather see them afraid of people than being too bold.
derWandersmann
2 May 2012Yes, some fool would probably go all "wilderness man" with a shotgun.
Words
2 May 2012@ Darko, that's certainly better for the foxes.
@ dW, the biggest risk (by a long way) is cars. I read an estimate of 100,000 mortalities a year 🙁
gdare
3 May 2012Originally posted by Words:
:eyes:
serola
7 May 2012Nice fox shots Words :hat:
Words
7 May 2012Thanks Sami!