August 2009

Verging upon Independence

Fox cubs     Vulpes vulpes

I find it more difficult to photograph mammals than birds, for many reasons. First of all, there are much less mammals in the Finnish nature than there are birds. Second, they are often on the move during the dark hours of the night. The third reason is that mammals have a keen scent. With birds all you have to do is hide well. But when mammals are concerned, in addition to hiding, you have to take into account their very keen sense of smell. Even a well hidden human is revealed without mercy.
Mostly the encounters are brief and accidental. Notably often a wanderer encounters a mammal while staying still and quiet.
In this picture - taken in July - young foxes are learning to live independently. They are already moving around on their own, getting more familiar with their birthplace. The fox cubs lived on a forest patch midst some fields. They had become accustomed with farmers working in the fields. I got a tip of the foxes from a colleague and headed to the spot. During a few weeks the foxes had gotten used to dog food thrown out of a car window. Food is a superior lure. The young foxes confidently received the weekly feeding.

Technique: Canon EOSV, 4/600 mm, taken from a car window while leaning on a bean bag, Fuji Provia 400 X

Lapua, July 2009