Fox Vixen, Nova Scotia

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 23, 2010257 views10 comments

Just back from 2 fabulous weeks in Nova Scotia and lots of images to post. Thanks to Eva McDermott for a great time!

Cape Breton, NS
This is a possible hybrid fox we came upon right next to the roadside. The extra white on her muzzle and face gives away the (possible) antics of her mother - likely interbreeding with a local dog. Her sibling (posted later) was an even clearer example of possible interbreeding - a pure white blaze on the muzzle and B&W spotted feet.

The little nib showing in the front of the mouth is a PORCUPINE QUILL stuck in the middle of her tongue - that image posted later on.

D300
18-200mm @ 200mm
1/80 sec, f/8
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
Exp comp: -1/3
ISO: 640
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on October 23, 2010 at 3:22 PM

Hi Sandy,

Interesting photo and supposition. I don't know that a fox/dog hybrid has ever been confirmed. They have a very different genetic makeup. I would never say impossible, but improbable. I look forward to seeing the other one.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 23, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Peter - Don't know for sure - Just passing on what my vet says when he saw these pix - quite unlikely but possible, and a few others have been reported - he knows of one confirmed hybrid in the UK.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 23, 2010 at 4:10 PM

Charlie - yes, wild foxes. She yawned WIDE and the full-frame face shows the embedded quill in detail. She probably had a face full of quills, but was able to get the others out.
posted in 2 days!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 23, 2010 at 5:14 PM

Talk abouts eyes, these say tons. Sweet close-up Sandy!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 23, 2010 at 6:33 PM

Charlie, YES, these foxes were actually right off that gravel road leading back to the Louisbourg Lighthouse - will post some some lighthouse pix too.
I lived in Lafayette for 10 yrs before I moved to Oregon for 15 yrs - now back to Lafayette to take care of my very elderly and very ill mother.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 23, 2010 at 8:05 PM

Absolutely fantastic image Sandy! None of mine even come close. Wonderful detail in the fur and I just love those eyes/glance...... but then again I rarely photograph animals and just focus on landscapes and abstracts. Thanks for the animal photo ops.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on October 23, 2010 at 10:37 PM

I sure agree with the other comments on how expressive those eyes are. That quill must hurt!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on October 24, 2010 at 7:09 AM

An adorable portrait Sandy. Although the BG is not very distracting ()and I actually love the coloration of it) a bit more separation would have been an improvement IMO. Opening up would have achieved this, but probably compromised sharpness on the subject; not an easy choice to make.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on October 24, 2010 at 1:34 PM

Hi Sandy,

Those perky ears and massive eyes combine to make this a shot with a very high cute/adorable factor. I'm not fully conversant on the dog/fox hybrid situation, but I do know they're pretty far removed genetically - so I would be surprised if offspring of such a pairing would be viable. But stranger things have happened...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this - looking forward to seeing more...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 25, 2010 at 10:03 AM

Beautiful catch Sandy, and such a cute pose. That quill must be difficult to live with, but I suppose she learned a valuable lesson.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments