Mother and child

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 17, 2013507 views19 comments

After mom brought home dinner (previous post), she laid down and one of the kits started crawling all over her. It climbed on her back and laid on her head, but she never moved or protested. It is a rare privilege to have this kind of access to wild things. As people and animals share space it might be more common, but we need to be good neighbors. The fox family has moved on, we only see them occasionally now. I'm already looking forward to next spring.

Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200 2.8 with 2X TC, 400mm, ISO 360, 1/800 @f5.6, processed in Lightroom 4.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 17, 2013 at 11:14 AM

I was wondering when you'd get some pups. In my one fox den experience (20+ years ago), the pups came out and played a lot without supervision as they got older, one even came over to investigate me (to within 10 - 15 ft). What a great family scene. It's so special to be allowed into their world, briefly. I think some subtle dodging of the shadows on both mom's and the pup's heads could bring more attention to the faces.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on May 17, 2013 at 11:36 AM

Yup Mark, it definitely came up darker and less contrasty on the post than it did on my monitor. Here's an adjusted version, whatcha think?

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on May 17, 2013 at 12:59 PM

Awesome shot!! I love it! I do think a bit more room on the right would have been more ideal but nice enough anyway. Love the simple interaction between the two. Also, really like the blurred BG and the second post better.

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 17, 2013 at 2:55 PM

This is a special photo Russell, love the way they are focused on something in the distance. I do agree with Christine's suggestion for more space on the right as they are looking in that direction. I also would agree with Mark's suggestion to lighten the faces a little. I believe that the repost may have gone a bit too far with the correction however, may have lost a little bit of the moodiness of the original. Such encounters are alas, too brief in many cases, so we have to savor them by capturing the moment with our photography. Nice work Russell.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Tim Butler on May 17, 2013 at 2:57 PM

As someone else said, "great family shot". I do prefer the reposted version.

Registered on October 12, 2012, 17 Posts, 155 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 17, 2013 at 6:15 PM

A wonderful thing to experience and though I like the repost better I would be so happy with getting either. Thanks for posting and your thoughts.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 17, 2013 at 9:39 PM

The extra brightness in the repost, especially on the faces is a big improvement. At the risk of seeming "never satisfied", I do think that there may be too much brightness in the pup's neck and flank. Those choices really start to get into "style" and the most important part of that is finding your own. What you've shown here of the fox family is an unforgettable experience!

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Don Westbrook on May 17, 2013 at 10:55 PM

I'm really enjoying this series of great images. I hope you will be able to continue as the pups grow.

Registered on January 4, 2013, 11 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on May 18, 2013 at 12:37 AM

A special image

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 18, 2013 at 2:11 AM

Russell,

To me this is a perfect example of what Wildlife photography should be about, wonderful

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by jack jaeger jr on May 18, 2013 at 7:50 AM

Great shot and story keep them coming !

Registered on April 2, 2012, 26 Posts, 355 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on May 18, 2013 at 12:00 PM

Russ,
Again a great image. It is as if there was a spot light on their faces, nicely managed exposure to keep the details and the low-light feel. I second your comments about being good neighbors, I think many people these days have no idea what is out beyond the carefully tended yards.

Registered on January 5, 2013, 37 Posts, 261 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 19, 2013 at 9:20 PM

Beautiful. Technically well done, and posed with emotional appeal!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 20, 2013 at 11:32 PM

Another fine shot Russ. I like the tenderness of this and how mom seems to be teaching her kit.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on May 21, 2013 at 4:39 PM

Hello Russell

Sweet Image, Enjoyed seeing your Fox series. Very Sharp & Detailed , even in shadows !

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 22, 2013 at 4:53 PM

Congrats Russ

A well deserved EP. Your body work with this family is awesome.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on May 22, 2013 at 11:05 PM

Awesome shot Russ as is the whole series,
Congratulations on the WP -

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on May 22, 2013 at 11:31 PM

Wow, thanks everyone. This is quite an honor, and certainly one I greatly appreciate.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on May 30, 2013 at 4:11 AM

What a special image! Congratulations on the experience, the expert capture and the Pick!!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments