Fox Cubs in my Garden. Help Needed to Photograph.

Kemble3

Kemble3

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I have just discovered about 6 fox cubs squatting underneath my garden shed. These are such lovely looking creatures I want to attempt to photograph them but being as I’ve only seen them at night, what is the best way to do this?
Last night I tried using a powerful torch, shinning on a cub then trying to get a focus before the little sod took to his heels. Guess the flash freaks them out.........................not very successful.
I would really appreciate any advice from the wildlife TOGs on here.
Thanks
 
Get rifle, shoot them, arrange in a natural pose,take photograph,job done.......;)
 
I want to photograph wildlife, not deadlife LOL
 
fracster said:
Get rifle, shoot them, arrange in a natural pose,take photograph,job done.......;)
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Maybe Fracster keeps hens too, so thinks that the only good fox is a dead'un. We lost 71 hens to a single fox a little while ago, so I'm a bit biased - got my own back though, with a .243.

If you'd rather photograph them, you might be better off using a dedicated flash. They focus via active autofocus so can focus in the dark, and the brief flash won't unsettle them nearly as much as a torch.

Mind you, I'll stick with a torch, a sqeak and a .243:)
 
About 4000 of them mate.....................:D

I see where your coming from though..............:thumbs:
 
fracster said:
Get rifle, shoot them, arrange in a natural pose,take photograph,job done.......;)
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Glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that :lol:
 
One aims to please, on occasion..................:D
 
I guess your going to need to get them used to some form of permanent light source. How about rigging up a halogen light that has a dusk sensor. They should get used to the light over time. You'll still need a tripod and high ISO though.
 
Gremlin said:
Glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that :lol:
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Because it was really that funny, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....................................................................................... nope not that funny :)

Heard they are using nets round here to catch foxes, apparently they have to be alarmed for some reason?

T
 
Probably not to stress little foxy woxy as he's tied up in the net.
 
Just to get serious for a moment - I know that a lot of people regard foxes as 13 kg of cute cuddly fur, but some of us have different experiences of them.

Basically my own belief is that they should be left alone if possible - they help to keep the rabbit population down and they also control rats very effectively. We have 2 families on our land that I know of, one of them has never caused any problems but the hens were killed in the territory of the other family. Foxes, like any other animal, have to earn a living and taking the odd hen is neither here nor there - but they kill everything that moves, and that isn't acceptable on economic grounds and isn't much fun for the helpless hens (and baby lambs). That's why I prefer to shoot them with a rifle instead of a camera:)

Personally though I'm against most methods of killing, Charlie like any other animal is in my view entitled to a humane death, a full bore rifle is instant almost regardless of where he's hit, and a shotgun is fine too with heavy shot at close range - but I can't think of anything worse than trapping or snaring a wild animal.
 
The only good fox is a dead fox, providing it has been dispatched humanely and not chased for miles and then it drops down exhausted before being torn to shreds.
 
Many thanks for the legitimate helpful comments here.

I did ask for suggestions on how to photograph these animals and NOT how to exterminate them, nor do I want this thread to degenerate to a political debate on the pros and cons of fox hunting.

If you don’t have any genuine suggestions that will help me in my quest, please keep your thoughts to yourself.
 
Kemble3 said:
Many thanks for the legitimate helpful comments here.

I did ask for suggestions on how to photograph these animals and NOT how to exterminate them, nor do I want this thread to degenerate to a political debate on the pros and cons of fox hunting.

If you don’t have any genuine suggestions that will help me in my quest, please keep your thoughts to yourself.
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Actually I did give you suggestions for photographing them:)
I appreciate that different people have different life experiences and so have different views on subjects like these.
 
Garry Edwards said:
Actually I did give you suggestions for photographing them:)
I appreciate that different people have different life experiences and so have different views on subjects like these.
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Thank you for comment regarding the photography Garry, it was very much appreciated. I understand people have different views on this matter but I don’t want this thread used and a debating chamber.
 
depending on the type of area you live in and you exact location you may find as they get a bit older they may venture out early morning.

The ones that come in of the fields here tend to do so in the morning about 5 am at the min
 
Simple way of getting foxes attention, for whatever reason, is to squeak them.That is to make a noise like a dying or ailing rabbit,a very high pitched squeal. Google fox squeaker and you `ll see some. These also attract other predators.

There, job done, then shoot the *******..........;)
 
fracster said:
Simple way of getting foxes attention, for whatever reason, is to squeak them.That is to make a noise like a dying or ailing rabbit,a very high pitched squeal. Google fox squeaker and you `ll see some. These also attract other predators.

There, job done, then shoot the *******..........;)
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:plusone::lol:
A true country gentleman!

For townies who don't have callers, the 'silent' dog whistles aren't bad.
 
sorry............... but my comments'

town foxes are just that....... town foxes.

these dont hunt but scavange.

rural foxes hunt and can easily be squeaked.

taking photographs will be difficult in low light, your best bet is to sit on a street corner under a street light and capture them without them knowing, from say a car window or similar. unless you have a security light you can leave on in the back garden ?
 
How could you ...
20100509141133_fox%20cubs.jpg


A lot of patience, a long lens and a tin of dog food may help ;)
 
donky7 said:
sorry............... but my comments'

town foxes are just that....... town foxes.

these dont hunt but scavange.

rural foxes hunt and can easily be squeaked.

taking photographs will be difficult in low light, your best bet is to sit on a street corner under a street light and capture them without them knowing, from say a car window or similar. unless you have a security light you can leave on in the back garden ?
Click to expand...

town foxes can be squeeked in.... they automatically react to the sound of an injured or distressed animal, its instinct..... I wouldnt agree with the adage that the only good fox is a dead un... but they do need controlling and the best way is a good rifle..... you can buy some decent fox squeekers from a gun shop or online.... stay down wind of them, as for actually technically photographing them.... I havent a clue.... but I wouldnt encourage them by feeding them.... Paul
 
This one was watching me do the dishes in my kitchen,i rushed to get the camera,thinkin he'd be gone but no..he hung around and let me snap a few..

p499453398-4.jpg
 
I find with any wildlife photography... you need to gain the trust of your animals... even if it means sitting there for hours on end.

Even though its night time when they are coming out, I've found the more a fox trusts a place the more he comes out... so don't freak them out in anyway, and sooner or later (fingers crossed) you'll see them at dusk... them maybe a bit earlier. (As the nights get lighter they may even start to venture out earlier too!)

I hope you get the shots you want... just remember patience is key! lol.
and the rewards are normally great!!
 
Hi,
I'm a student studying an MA in Wildlife Documentary in Manchester and I'm currently looking for an active fox den for my project. Do you know of a den based around manchester/cheshire area? I would really appreciate any help you can give me, thanks. Also Kemble3 If you are willing to let me I would be interested in filming the foxes in your garden, please contact me on jomcivor@yahoo.co.uk if you are, thanks, take care, Jo
 
Sorry jo84, my cubs have gone, one day they were here, then next they had disappeared.
 
Kemble3 said:
Sorry jo84, my cubs have gone, one day they were here, then next they had disappeared.
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The vixen will move the cubs on a regular basis, she has more than likely done just that.
 
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