Young Red Fox close up in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
For a few hours yesterday morning I escaped the high temps by driving up into the Wasatch Mountains to look for birds and other wildlife to photograph. It felt marvelous and I enjoyed the cooler temperatures. It was a slow day for birds, but I didn’t mind because it was peaceful and I’d left all the bad news and negativity at home.
I drove slowly, stopped often, sat still, and checked out the hawthorns, chokecherries and serviceberries along the way. I know that sitting quietly where there are trees and shrubs with ripened fruit and waiting for the birds to come back in can net some wonderful bird photos, even rare birds like the Baltimore Oriole I found two years ago this month.
Yesterday I did take some bird photos and although I didn’t find any avian rarities I did find a beautiful young Red Fox in a mountain meadow to photograph.
Young Red Fox resting in a mountain meadow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The young Red Fox was so close to the side of the road that I decided I to take portraits of it. The fox plopped down in the grasses and rested for a bit after I started photographing it.
There were some clouds overhead that dimmed the bright sunlight. I had the fox in front of me and didn’t care. If anything, I’d say the soft, diffused light worked in my favor.
Close up profile view of a young Red Fox – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’d pulled my Jeep way over to the side of the road so I could relax and not worry about any traffic that might come up the road and put all of my focus almost entirely on the fluffy, adolescent fox.
I did keep an eye out for the cows and calves that were grazing on the grasses on the shoulder of the road less than ten feet away from my Jeep. I kept hoping they wouldn’t walk between the fox and me.
Calm young Red Fox – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the young fox rested it got up and started to walk around and although I took quite a few images where there are grasses in front of its face I was also able to take a few where the grasses weren’t an issue.
Young Red Fox portrait – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The fox pounced on something twice but came up without any prey. Both times it pounced there were thick grasses and plants in front of the fox.
Young Red Fox hunting in a mountain meadow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then the clouds moved and I had brighter light on my subject. The young fox looked around for a few seconds…
Portrait of a young Red Fox in a mountain meadow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then when it swiveled its left ear towards its back and moved off into thicker vegetation.
Seeing and photographing this young Red Fox was one of the highlights of my morning.
Life is good, Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red Fox photos plus facts and information about this species.
I’m a little late to the party…but WOW! What terrific pics! The colors and detail; especially of the fox’s eyes, are astounding. These are the kinds of shots I can never stop looking at. Thanks Mia.
What a treat! Stunning close-ups, Mia.
Elephants Child sent me, knowing my penchant for foxen.Thank you.
What an absolute charmer. Many, many thanks. I have a huge weak spot for foxen.
She/he is a beauty, You are so lucky! They are one of my favorite animals.
Oh, Mia, what a stunning fox! You’ve captured its wild beauty so perfectly!
Couldn’t agree more with Michael Brown …except for name change….🤟👍👏
What a delightful series, Mia! Rather than “On the Wing”, you should be “On the Ball” LOL
What a rare opportunity to see a Red Fox so close. These are great portraits!
Those up close photos of the fox are beautiful. We have them in Northern Wyoming, but never seen one in the wild. Do see some when I visited near St. Joseph, Missouri. They are sure cute.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
We don’t have any foxes around our area so it is such a treat to see
I love these! So beautiful.
My next favourite animal after wolves. Lucky you. Great photos as always.
Wow, an encounter like that would make my summer!
Thanks for the info on red foxes being native to North America — did not know that! Love these photos!
OH Man, these are great photos!! Love em!
All I can get is far away side view or rear end view! These are wonderful close-ups.
Many thanks for the images and post. Stay safe in your travels!