Bristol Urban Foxes - Family Life
Urban Fox Family - Bristol
Earlier this year I spent a few glorious months photographing a family of Urban Foxes. I've spent time before photographing individual foxes but never an entire family. This family consisted of a vixen (female fox) the mum.
A dog fox (male fox) the dad and 4 cubs! Watching the individual behaviours of the foxes was a real treat and the early mornings and later night produced some amazing memories.
The mum.
What a fantastic mum she is! To provide for these cubs is no easy task, constantly feeding and teaching these cubs techniques which will ensure they survive and reproduce in future years takes dedication and lots of love.
This vixen has had a fair share of ups and downs. A few years back she had an extreme case of mange which left her almost blind in one eye and close to death. She most if received treatment as the next time I photographed her she was in tip-top shape and had recovered fully.
She's got bags of character and if instantly recognizable due to her eye. This fox has produced me with lots of photographic opportunities and fond memories.
The Dad.
Much bigger than the vixen the dad is a handsome fox and one I have previously photographed over a couple of years. It's been great to see him involved raising his family and bring food and lots of fun and affection to all the cubs.
I would see him appear in the shadow and run over the cubs and they would become excited and play with their dad in the twilight. As dog foxes go with their cubs he is the most attentive and affectionate dog fox I have ever seen.
The cubs.
Describing these guys as cute is an understatement they are picture-postcard cuddly balls of fur. In total, I observed 4 cubs. Two of which were bold and adventurous and two which seemed more reserved and timid. It's really interesting how some cubs venture further away from the safety of the den and some stay closer to their mum's side.
Just like human families, I guess. I would wait to Just before dust fir the cubs to hopefully appear. Sometimes they'd be bang on time over evenings I would wait and they wouldn't appear - I guess that's why wildlife is so addictive, the anticipation of what could be. When all the elements fall in to place perfectly like foxes, beautiful light and natural behaviour I was able to build a portfolio of urban foxes right in my home city of Bristol.
Here are my favourite 20 images from this unforgettable encounter with a beautiful family of urban foxes.
Image 1.
Beautiful mum
Shes got bucket loads of character. Hands down in my top 3 foxes I, ve photographed - this vixen is a real fighter. Over the years she's had mange but always finds a way back to great health.
Image 2.
Cub silhouette
I took this early on in the project and as I using my 100-400 f/5.6 at the time I knew it would struggle in the low light. So I opted for my Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens as it's far better in low light but the drawback is the zooming capability. The image I got pulling right back worked, it shows the silhouette of the cub and has that light dark blue sky which adds a nice tone to picture. I ended up taking a few portraits that evening on this lens. Well, worth bringing along.
Image 3.
Cub portrait
I took this on an evening when this cub put on a show. I used my trusty 100-400mm f/5.6 lens for the last time in this evening. Sometimes it would struggle in low light but on this evening the lens put a shift in. The next day I upgraded to a Sigma 300mm f2.8. I really game change in low light. On this occasion the cub could here a herring gull making a racket on the roof above the fox, it has me the perfect opportunity to compose a great portrait of the cute red fox cub.
Image 4.
Early start
This cub looks at how I felt on this early morning in central Bristol. 4:30 am start to get to the location just after sunrise, this morning was well worth the giant bags under my eyes. Great light, great subject, great company (another photographer called Simon) and a great collection of cub images - all before I started a full day in the office as a graphic designer.
Image 5.
Peak A Boooo!
I had been after an image of a fox cub coming out of its den for a while. As this location was active I knew it was only a matter of time. On the past previous nights, the cubs were entering and exiting this hole regularly. The evening I decided to get this shot I waited, waited and at the point where the light had almost disappeared one of the cubs popped his head and out bingo - I got the shot. A high ISO on the Sigma f/2.8 it still managed to pull it out of the bag!
Image 6.
Mother and cub bound
A testament to the skills of the amazing mum fox is bound with one of the cubs. I watched so many tender and loving moment of affection and grooming between two. I have a feeling these will be constant contact over the following years.
Image 7.
Big dog.
I've read that some dog foxes don't hand around after the Cubs are born and disappear off to do what dogs foxes do! Not this gent, a truly great dad a real provider and a source of energy for the cubs to burn off some energy. Not to mention he is a handsome fox so photogenic.
Image 8
Off the wall
Sometimes occasions wildlife presents itself in front of some signage which makes an interesting focal point. On this occasion, this fox is standing on a wall in front of a No Dogs sign.
Image 9.
Panning Out
It's a marmite shot! You either love or hate it. I love it. The rule is if the eyes are in focus then it works. For me as long as its an impression of the animal you're photographing then its a winner. And I don't tend to listen to what people say you should and shouldn't do in photography.
Image 10
Beautiful light
Halfway though my favorite twenty images of the project and I've picked a urban fox cub in beautiful light in Central Bristol.
Behind bars
Image 11.
Framing this cub having a big old yawn between these wooden panels make an interesting perfective. I always love to frame my subjects ether on the left or right of an image. These cubs always felt safe on this wooden porch.
Image 12
Backlit beauty
By underexposing this image with the sun setting behind the mum fox I can create a backlit image. Happy with this and it adds something different to the portfolio.
Image 14
Artist Impression
Its another like it or hate it. Another take on panning, but because the fix was against a light coloured wall I tried to create an effect whereby the picture looks similar to a colour sketch.
Image 15
Tough tackle
Anyone who has seen fox Cubs will know how much they enjoy to play around. Its essential for bonding and learning new skills. I was lucky on a few occasions to be able to watch these cubs have an amazing time time biting, tacking and chasing each other.
Image 16
Hideout by the fence
Another uber-cute cub here checking out it's surrounding in the safety of an area where he felt safe and secure.
Image 17
Transfixed cub
On this occasion, this cub was transfixed by my lens. Not sure what he thought of me lying on the floor moving around trying to get the best angle and perfective of this extra cute cub.
Image 18
Black and white portrait
Some images I come across when I am processing I know will look cool in black and white. This particular image has a nice band of tone running right through the picture. And in black and white it give the image a graphic feel.
Image 19
Fox watching
A great number of people get a real sense of connecting with nature and enjoyment watching a wild animal.
Please check out my urban fox galleries to see more images of these beautiful animals.
you can also view more images at www.ianwadewildlife.com
Earlier this year I spent a few glorious months photographing a family of Urban Foxes. I've spent time before photographing individual foxes but never an entire family. This family consisted of a vixen (female fox) the mum.
A dog fox (male fox) the dad and 4 cubs! Watching the individual behaviours of the foxes was a real treat and the early mornings and later night produced some amazing memories.
The mum.
What a fantastic mum she is! To provide for these cubs is no easy task, constantly feeding and teaching these cubs techniques which will ensure they survive and reproduce in future years takes dedication and lots of love.
This vixen has had a fair share of ups and downs. A few years back she had an extreme case of mange which left her almost blind in one eye and close to death. She most if received treatment as the next time I photographed her she was in tip-top shape and had recovered fully.
She's got bags of character and if instantly recognizable due to her eye. This fox has produced me with lots of photographic opportunities and fond memories.
The Dad.
Much bigger than the vixen the dad is a handsome fox and one I have previously photographed over a couple of years. It's been great to see him involved raising his family and bring food and lots of fun and affection to all the cubs.
I would see him appear in the shadow and run over the cubs and they would become excited and play with their dad in the twilight. As dog foxes go with their cubs he is the most attentive and affectionate dog fox I have ever seen.
The cubs.
Describing these guys as cute is an understatement they are picture-postcard cuddly balls of fur. In total, I observed 4 cubs. Two of which were bold and adventurous and two which seemed more reserved and timid. It's really interesting how some cubs venture further away from the safety of the den and some stay closer to their mum's side.
Just like human families, I guess. I would wait to Just before dust fir the cubs to hopefully appear. Sometimes they'd be bang on time over evenings I would wait and they wouldn't appear - I guess that's why wildlife is so addictive, the anticipation of what could be. When all the elements fall in to place perfectly like foxes, beautiful light and natural behaviour I was able to build a portfolio of urban foxes right in my home city of Bristol.
Here are my favourite 20 images from this unforgettable encounter with a beautiful family of urban foxes.
Image 1.
Beautiful mum
Shes got bucket loads of character. Hands down in my top 3 foxes I, ve photographed - this vixen is a real fighter. Over the years she's had mange but always finds a way back to great health.
Image 2.
Cub silhouette
I took this early on in the project and as I using my 100-400 f/5.6 at the time I knew it would struggle in the low light. So I opted for my Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens as it's far better in low light but the drawback is the zooming capability. The image I got pulling right back worked, it shows the silhouette of the cub and has that light dark blue sky which adds a nice tone to picture. I ended up taking a few portraits that evening on this lens. Well, worth bringing along.
Image 3.
Cub portrait
I took this on an evening when this cub put on a show. I used my trusty 100-400mm f/5.6 lens for the last time in this evening. Sometimes it would struggle in low light but on this evening the lens put a shift in. The next day I upgraded to a Sigma 300mm f2.8. I really game change in low light. On this occasion the cub could here a herring gull making a racket on the roof above the fox, it has me the perfect opportunity to compose a great portrait of the cute red fox cub.
Image 4.
Early start
This cub looks at how I felt on this early morning in central Bristol. 4:30 am start to get to the location just after sunrise, this morning was well worth the giant bags under my eyes. Great light, great subject, great company (another photographer called Simon) and a great collection of cub images - all before I started a full day in the office as a graphic designer.
Image 5.
Peak A Boooo!
I had been after an image of a fox cub coming out of its den for a while. As this location was active I knew it was only a matter of time. On the past previous nights, the cubs were entering and exiting this hole regularly. The evening I decided to get this shot I waited, waited and at the point where the light had almost disappeared one of the cubs popped his head and out bingo - I got the shot. A high ISO on the Sigma f/2.8 it still managed to pull it out of the bag!
Image 6.
Mother and cub bound
A testament to the skills of the amazing mum fox is bound with one of the cubs. I watched so many tender and loving moment of affection and grooming between two. I have a feeling these will be constant contact over the following years.
Image 7.
Big dog.
I've read that some dog foxes don't hand around after the Cubs are born and disappear off to do what dogs foxes do! Not this gent, a truly great dad a real provider and a source of energy for the cubs to burn off some energy. Not to mention he is a handsome fox so photogenic.
Image 8
Off the wall
Sometimes occasions wildlife presents itself in front of some signage which makes an interesting focal point. On this occasion, this fox is standing on a wall in front of a No Dogs sign.
Image 9.
Panning Out
It's a marmite shot! You either love or hate it. I love it. The rule is if the eyes are in focus then it works. For me as long as its an impression of the animal you're photographing then its a winner. And I don't tend to listen to what people say you should and shouldn't do in photography.
Image 10
Beautiful light
Halfway though my favorite twenty images of the project and I've picked a urban fox cub in beautiful light in Central Bristol.
Behind bars
Image 11.
Framing this cub having a big old yawn between these wooden panels make an interesting perfective. I always love to frame my subjects ether on the left or right of an image. These cubs always felt safe on this wooden porch.
Image 12
Backlit beauty
By underexposing this image with the sun setting behind the mum fox I can create a backlit image. Happy with this and it adds something different to the portfolio.
Image 14
Artist Impression
Its another like it or hate it. Another take on panning, but because the fix was against a light coloured wall I tried to create an effect whereby the picture looks similar to a colour sketch.
Image 15
Tough tackle
Anyone who has seen fox Cubs will know how much they enjoy to play around. Its essential for bonding and learning new skills. I was lucky on a few occasions to be able to watch these cubs have an amazing time time biting, tacking and chasing each other.
Image 16
Hideout by the fence
Another uber-cute cub here checking out it's surrounding in the safety of an area where he felt safe and secure.
Image 17
Transfixed cub
On this occasion, this cub was transfixed by my lens. Not sure what he thought of me lying on the floor moving around trying to get the best angle and perfective of this extra cute cub.
Image 18
Black and white portrait
Some images I come across when I am processing I know will look cool in black and white. This particular image has a nice band of tone running right through the picture. And in black and white it give the image a graphic feel.
Image 19
Fox watching
A great number of people get a real sense of connecting with nature and enjoyment watching a wild animal.
Please check out my urban fox galleries to see more images of these beautiful animals.
you can also view more images at www.ianwadewildlife.com