Blue Phase Artic Fox Kit

D1x/600/25mm tube


Hello NatureScapers:

This image was made in July on St Paul Island Alaska. I was on a tour with Greg Downing and Heather. Ej and Karen S were also in the group. One morning EJ, Karen and I were able to get a tour bus and remove the seats in the van. I shot from the passenger window, using a window mount, and Karen and EJ used the open van side door, with tripods. I had been watching an active den on the edge of a school yard. The fox were very fearful of people in the open and several attempts of walking in slowly were unsuccessful. Seeing kids throwing rocks at them and harrassing them here and elsewhere on the island explained their fear.

Our guide drove the van. We worked the den for about three hours. We stayed far back initially. About every 30min we moved slightly closer and turned the van a titch to improve our position with respect to the sun. At the end of the session we were at MFD and I was able to climb out of the van and be on the ground very near the den. The kits and parents decided to trust us because of this approach and showed no fear. One of the kits approached within a few feet to sniff my hand but I retracted it thinking better of allowing human contact like this.

This was a great trip, but this particular morning was one of the highlights of this trip for me. This is one of the last few images I made when we were close and the animals were relaxed.

I'm heading out for the holiday weekend.. (Labor day USA)... Hope everyone has a safe holiday. See you next week.