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Snow Fight


Snow Fight
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 423 W: 54 N: 2120] (6789)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-05
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM, RAW ISO 400
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): bobair's favorites beyond the alloted amount. [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-08 3:58
Viewed: 4007
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Red Foxes at my backyard. We had a few centimeters of snow for couple of days and even the urban foxes seemed to be delighted.

I have shot this through the window but as the sun was not shining and the subjects were around 50-60 meters away I think I have avoided any reflections or blurring caused by the window. However, if anyone can see that kind of faults that may be the reason. Though foxes are urban they are very timid during the daylight.

From BBC - Science & Nature:

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Red foxes have become the most widespread dogs in the wild, having overtaken grey wolves to the top spot. They are often included in folklore, with a reputation for being sly and cunning.

Subspecies
Around 40 subspecies.

Life span
In the wild, red foxes seldom live for more than seven years, but in captivity they live for up to 15 years.

Statistics
Head and body length: 50-90cm, Tail length: 30-50cm, Standing height: 35-45cm, Weight: 6-10kg.

Physical description
As the name suggests, red foxes have red/brown fur. This can vary in coloration and can give rise to black, silver or cross morphs. The long, bushy tail (brush) is often tipped with white fur, and the backs of the ears are black, as are part of the legs.

They have slender muzzles, with white fur on the top lip, and some individuals have black tear marks. The chest is often white.

Distribution
Red foxes are widespread across Europe (but absent from Iceland), Canada, USA, and in Asia from Japan to Indochina. They were introduced to Australia.

Habitat
They are typically found in woodland and open country, but their presence in urban areas is increasing.

Diet
Red foxes are opportunist feeders and eat insects, earthworms, fruit, berries, wild birds, small mammals and scraps left by humans.

Behaviour
Red foxes are primarily active at dusk and night. They are solitary, but they very occasionally group together in a pack.

Foxes forage alone in different parts of their territory, which may extend from 25 to 5,000 acres (10-2,000 hectares), depending on the habitat. Territories are marked by faeces and urine.

Reproduction
Vixens come into heat once a year for one to six days. They give birth to four to seven cubs in a den (also called an earth), after a gestation period of 51-53 days. The cubs are weaned after seven to nine weeks, and become sexually mature after a year.

The number of cubs and the time of year in which the vixen gives birth depends on food availability.

Conservation status
They are not considered to be endangered, and are the most widespread and abundant wild carnivore in the world.

Notes
Red foxes are the animal symbol of Hokkaido.
Argus, vanderschelden, billynewboy, livius, Silvio2006, jaycee, siggi, ferranjlloret, CeltickRanger, wahclella, Adanac, hester, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Adanac: Fightpekkavalo1 1 01-11 13:28
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-01-08 4:07]

Hello Pekka,
We are neighbours today!
A great capture of a couple of sparring Red Foxes in your backyard! I like the composition on the slope and the postures of both foxes are great. Nice POV, exposure and sharpness too.
TFS this delight,
Ivan

Hello Pekka
Really cool action shot of this beautiful animals.
TFS
Ralf

Hello Pekka,
It's an interesting interaction between the two foxes, you captured here.
Wish I could photograph them in my garden...
TFS
Annick

Hello Pekka
Im no expert on Fox behaviour but the one on the lower ground seems to be in a very submissive pose (cowering and the tail between the legs) whilst the more dominant one has taken the high ground.
Its a fine capture and the long cold snap has even bought an Urban fox into my car park at work at 10am today.
Photographically all is spot on...Congratulations on this fine capture of natural behaviour.
All the Best
Billy

Hello Pekka
a release very particular in which you have successful captured the two red foxes in a scene of life not easy to see.
Great
Livio

Ciao Pekka, wonderful capture of fantastic couple of read fox, great action shoot with good colors, splendid sharpness and fine details, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-01-08 10:04]

Hi Pekka,

I get bobcats, deer, and an occasional javelina in my back yard but never a red fox! This is a great shot - beautiful face on the fox facing us. He must be the aggressive one - the other seems to be cowering. You captured the moment perfectly.

Jane

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-01-08 10:32]

Hello Pekka,
Great action shot in a fantastic composition. Beautiful natural colours, also in the environment. Good sharpness.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2009-01-08 13:09]

Hello Pekka,
a lovely capture of these cute Red Foxes.
Excellent composition and POV.Superb clarity
Great exposure.Best regards Siggi

Hello Pekka,
Grreat document and capture with a nice POV, excellent exposure and sharpness.
TFS. Best regards.

hello Pekka

if you did'nt wrote : « photo shotthrough the window »
i would never know it, superb photo that in French
we say : « photo prise sur le vif », fine POV, DOF and framing,
excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Hello Pekka,
It is a rare day when we are allowed to see a Red fox, let alone two interacting with one another, regardless of anger or play. The image is sharp and well cropped, an excellent post. Great action scene with that tail tucked and ears down, guess who's the aggressive one?
Steve

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2009-01-09 13:08]

This shot is priceless, Pekka!!!!
The poses are superb.
You're so lucky to have been able to get so close to wild foxes!
Superb detail.
Great exposure.

Very, very well done,
Joe

Brilliant. Very rare shot.
Indeed they are mostly nocturnal and shots with a flash are never that good.
The action you've frozen is rare and great as well.
TFS
JM

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2009-01-10 19:10]
  • [+]

Hello Pekka,
This happens in your backyard, incredible. Great action captured excellently with your great camera work. The lower one seems to be submissive, how did this turn out Pekka.
Thanks for sharing.
Rick

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2009-01-11 6:51]

Hi Pekka

Lovely sight to see from your own window! These two do look very playful. Lovely poses captured and despite shooting through glass this is clear, sharp and with a nice exposure

TFS

Karan

Hi Pekka.

Thanks for sharing this nature shot in excellent framing and timely capture. You did very well in keeping the exposure perfect against the white snow. Amazing details beautifully executed in the frame.


Best regards and have a wonderful week ahead.
Jusni

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