Pampas Foxes Mating

what a great moment and awesome quality, congrats to nice shot!!!

Great soft light, low angle and behaviour captured here Nate...

May not be a candidate for hanging on our wall at home - wouldn't want to run the risk of offending my somewhat prudish mother-in-law ;^p - but other than that this is a splendid behavioral shot, something I would expect to see in Nat Geo magazine, congratulations Nate!

While not wanting to go into too much graphic detail, I believe you are 100% correct when you suggest this position is typical for canids, however, I'm pretty sure it's not so much a position of entry, but more the result of when the male's member becomes so enlarged during the act that it becomes almost impossible to dislodge without extreme discomfort to both the male as well as the female, so the practice is simply to get into a comfortable enough position until the blood vessels stop pumping and the swelling recedes.

In certain eastern cultures this is seen regularly with street dogs, and to help quicken the process along (be it for the benefit of the dogs or perhaps more for people who don't wish to look upon something like this! - a cold bucket of water is thrown over them, which is apparently quite effective ... and probably it's something that would work effectively on all species of animals, mankind included ;^)

Thanks for your comments Verdon, Morkel and Ashley.

Ashley thanks for the detailed explanation which I agree with and probably should have explained a bit more myself.

Wonderful image of this behaviour Nate. Very unusual position, but whatever works:)

Sorry...first impression was requiem for a dream...you know the scene...

They look to be enjoying themselves...and it is a very interesting composition. Amazing how nature works in symmetry like this so often. Congrats on a unique shot Nate.

Great behaviour shot, with excellent sharpness and a fine composition- Thanks for sharing, Fabio

They are definitely tied. Just like domesticated dogs.

Excellent behavior photo Nate!!! Looks like it's time to plan a spring trip to Argentina to photograph the playful fox kits.

Ken Archer

Hey Nate,

This is a really good behavioural shot and could even pass in a PG rated magazine! Techs look good as well - sharp where it needs to be and nice and soft elsewhere.

Thanks for sharing this unique shot!

Brad

Nice behavioral shot Nate. I have seen shots like this with Wolves before as well. Good techs and is it me or do they both look a bit embarrassed by being caught in the act

Yep, they've got it all up in a knot
Great catch Nate, excellent work.
Hope you had a Great Thanksgiving