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... and featuring Son #1
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... and featuring Son #1

by Phil Shaw

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted December 11, 2010183 views9 comments
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) - Essex.

Nikon D3, 200-400/f4, WH2 + Gitzo 3530LSV.
Manual exposure mode f4, 1/400, iso 1600.
RAW image processed in Capture One; sharpened in Photoshop CS5; noise reduction using Noiseware Professional; full frame.

Another image from last week. This is the one of The Don’s sons from a litter raised in 2009. Unlike “The Don”, who is very dark coloured fox “Son #1” has a very pale coloured coat. He was chased out of the parent’s territory after a fight with “The Don” in autumn 2009 which resulted in the injury to his left ear: it was nearly torn off. He subsequently lost the tip of his right ear as well, probably in another fight. He didn’t go far though and managed to remain on the periphery of the parent’s territory all through 2010, keeping a low profile. As we now approach the mating season, however, he has raised his profile. He is now challenging his father for dominance and “The Don” is carrying an injury ….. to be continued.

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 11, 2010 at 2:19 PM
The expression and those ears are priceless, with a good narrative Phil, waiting for the next chapter. :toast:

BTW Did you read the article in the papers today about foxes having a slight drinking problem? They are now lying under cars for the warmth and chewing the break pipes!!! For real, beware of where you are parking.

TFS
Steve
Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments
Comment posted by Graham Goddard on December 11, 2010 at 2:21 PM
Great eye contact Phil - in snow too :toast: :toast:
Registered on November 21, 2008, 66 Posts, 253 Comments
Comment posted by Dale Sutton on December 11, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Super Phil a stunning fox image, one little nit for me I would like to see the hole animal in focus as its side on it quite an important part of the image.

Dale :toast:
Registered on December 9, 2009, 15 Posts, 84 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Lawrence on December 11, 2010 at 4:30 PM
A cracking shot of a fine looking animal. I can understand what Dale means about the depth of focus but to be honest the foxes intense eyes take all the attention anyway so for me the shallow depth of field is not a problem.
Still no snow down here!
Registered on February 13, 2008, 3 Posts, 163 Comments
Comment posted by Shaun Simpson on December 11, 2010 at 4:45 PM
I agree that stare is so intense that it locks onto your eyes and holds you, good story as well :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 6, 2010, 12 Posts, 110 Comments
Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on December 11, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Stunning shot Phil :toast: :toast: - I understand what Dale says though.

Oscar :wavey:
Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Davies on December 12, 2010 at 7:05 AM
DOF is spot on for . The intense stare from those eyes and the pose focuses the attention . Minor nit is the dark patch at the front legs , even larger I cant work out what it is .This pulls the eye a touch . :toast:
Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Rosser on December 12, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Great story, and a great image! I like the DOF Phil, but as Mark says I'm puzzled as to what the dark object is?
Regards,
Paul Rosser. :wavey:
Registered on October 25, 2009, 61 Posts, 188 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Scott on December 12, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Youve got some cracking fox shots :toast: love the fact youve captured it in snow, makes all the difference
Registered on September 19, 2010, 13 Posts, 34 Comments