Red fox pup . . . a series (more pics added)

[Steve Foss]

I went looking for rare orchids in the Superior National Forest yesterday. Didn't find any. But you know, if you get skunked in one arena it seems nature delivers in another.

Please excuse the imperfect light and the OOF foreground grass in some of the images. Wanted to manage the scene a bit more but didn't dare. There were two pups at least, and I'll be back to do some more in-depth work.

All with 30D and 400 f5.6L, iso200, 1/500 and 1/640 at f5.6, tripod, +2/3 EC off evaluative metering

First contact

Durn those durn fleas!

Durn those durn fleas II!

You down there, my brother?

Still checking me out

Mmmm, mmmm GOOD!

All worn out

[buzzsaw]

Cute series! You found a winner for a location.

[hendenhook]

Interesting series, well done and sharp per your usual, I cannot remember seeing red fox pups at that age I wouldn't have expected the dark coloration. I will certainly look forward to seeing more of these guys.

[MN Shutterbug]

Congrats on the unique find and nice captures. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of this little fella.

[Dbl]

Nice work Steve, I look forward to seeing more of these little guys.

[DMN]

Very nice shots, looks like along with the fleas he may have a woodtick in his left ear.

[Catmendo]

Well done Steve! It appears these were taken during mid day as well.

[mmeyer]

Really great series Steve. Pays to be prepared for anything.

[Steve Foss]

Thanks, everyone. The pup images were captured about 4 to 4:30 p.m. Luckily, while the sun was still high, it was weak behind light clouds, and shadows/highlights in Photoshop was able to recover some decent shadow detail.

DMN, good eye. Big fat tick it is!

Much more even light today. In fact, perfect diffuse light, but of course the pups didn't show. I just got home. Left when the clouds made things too dark. Mom did pay the den a visit, and likely left word that the pups better darn well stay home.

Here's mom.

Who's that?

Heading in anyway

Keep your butts in the house!

That'll fix THEM!

[MN Shutterbug]

Mommy is pretty. She kind of looks like a cross between a red fox and a silver fox. Very nice shots. Gotta admit, I'm envious.

[Steve Foss]

Thanks, Mike.

HH, we'll see how the pups turn out. Both were this dark. I saw them both out of the den but only one came out while I was shooting. Could be more of a cross phase, which means they'll stay fairly dark, especially considering the pelage of the parent.

But we'll see. The youngsters will grow and change quite a bit before fall and winter.

[Paul]

Say Steve, maybe it is my imagination, but I thought I saw some dark dust spots on those first few shots. Great capture but maybe you caugght some dust. ( I think)

[MARINERMAGNUM]

Super series! The mother is sweet looking-lots of colors.

Quote:

Say Steve, maybe it is my imagination, but I thought I saw some dark dust spots on those first few shots.

I thought that too,but on further inspection I think those are deer flies or similar?

[Steve Foss]

Dust spots on the sensor most often show up as circular opaque specks, not small black sharp blotches.

These are in fact flies. They are called sand flies by Ely natives. Called black flies by people who are not Ely area locals, and buffalo gnats by people in North Dakota, where I grew up.

They suck, whether you are fox, friend or foe. I definitely had as many swarming around my head as the fox did.

[finnbay]

Great series, Steve. Great find of a location. Seems they don't mind having you around!

[Steve Foss]

Ken, shoot me an e-mail. I doubt they'd mind having you around, either.

[Lisa Almquist]

Steve, these are just great. She's beautiful! I bet you loved taking shots of her. Thanks for sharing.

[Catmendo]

These are in fact flies. They are called sand flies by Ely natives. Called black flies by people who are not Ely area locals, and buffalo gnats by people in North Dakota, where I grew up.

[buzzsaw]

That first image in the second series is very good, all are good actually! A superior find on your part!!

[Steve Foss]

Thanks again, everyone.

Actually, Buzz, I didn't find it. Another wildlife photographer did. I was guiding him for a day a couple weeks back and I ran into him later and he told me about the den and where it is.

Nice guy!

It'll likely be there again next year if the adults stay alive through winter. There are three or four old, unoccupied den holes in the same small area, so they like the spot, which has nice soft sandy/gravel earth perfect for digging.

[Jim Almquist]

Steve all the shots are just to cool. To capture such a spooky and cautious animal is amazing. I like that fact that you do have the flies all around even thou it may take a little away from the shots it is still all part of mother nature's big plan. You must have had a net over your head or you would have been carried away

[Steve Foss]

Thanks Jim. I actually like the bugs. They are as much a part of nature as the fox. As for bugs carrying me off . . . bug goop!

[Paul]

I love the shot of the mother. I should have know you of all people wouldn't have any dust spots, at least not after PP anyway.

[WifeKidsandDog]

Great shots -- the mother is beautiful. Love those images particularly.