We have been feeding and photographing the foxes for the last five years. It’s been a great learning experience, getting to watch these animals is amazing. Every year we look forward to the new arrivals, when the tulips are up, the cubs are due.
This year was no different. Kev, last years cub, turned out to be pregnant this year, maybe I’m not good a sexing. We also noticed another vixen that had also been feeding cubs. Just as the tulips started to appear, the first cub fell in the garden. Within a week, we had three, two weeks later another appeared. Then the fifth another two weeks later. Bumper crop this year.
It has also been a bumper year for photography. With six cubs and still three adults paying a visit, there was plenty of competition for the food. This years runt was definitely the bravest, he was always the first down the path, whether I was sitting a few feet away or not. I have also manage to get some great close up shots using the new R5 and Godox triggers.
The main change I have made this year, is the lighting, I have swapped to an LED panel, obviously from the Pixapro range. The rectangle LED panel is set on a spike, about a metre from the feeding area. I have had to up the ISO, between 8000-10000, but the R5 handles it very well, also with modern software, it now seems less of a problem.
Though a second panel will be added to the setup shortly. The LED panel is balanced with the LED Floodlight, making things a little more tricky.
I managed to use the 600mm for most of the shoots, head on, with a few flowers in the background. When they turn up, the tulips are the only flower open and they tower way above the cubs. This year I thought I would try a few close ups, using the R5 and a Godox trigger for the shutter release, I was able to place the R5 in the pile of food to get some interesting angle. Full setup is available on my Facebook page…
It has been an amazing year just to watch the foxes, the cubs having the odd argument over the feeding area. The adults leading them in, except runt who flew in. We have been able to video & photograph them up close, not by taming, but by just sitting still. I’m against taming any wild creature, it is safer for themselves to be wary of humans, thats how I like them.
A few of this years images have been added to the gallery, please check it out…. Foxes – Colin Brister Photography
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