After capturing the memorable Grizzly Mama and Cub image, I spent ten days camping on Prudhoe Bay with a family of four arctic foxes. I had gained their trust over a period of three days simply by sitting in the field near their den. I sat without my cameras, just observing them. After a while, the foxes accepted me as part of their environment. At times, they would bring freshly hunted food back to the area and lie only a few feet from me as they ate. One of the foxes got real gutsy and investigated my tripod, which was mounted only a few feet away from me. It was then that I took the photograph above.
My favorite image from that encounter was taken at just a half hour before midnight. The sun, which never really "sets" in Alaska during the summer months, was very low in the sky. A lone arctic fox sat in the grass, posing just a few feet away from me. I grabbed my camera and got the most incredible shot named, aptly; "Arctic Fox at Sunset". You'll notice there is no stress on the fox. She is totally relaxed. Perhaps she is reflecting on how beatiful the moment was. I'm thrilled that I have the ability to gain the trust of animals. Animals have always liked me, and I certainly love them!
Three of my other favorites from that camping trip are the Arctic Fox Twins, also taken at sunset, the Rustic Fox and my Peek-A-Boo Foxes image. I really enjoy photographing foxes of all types. They exhibit both dog and cat-like behaviors, which make them very comical and interesting to watch. They really make me laugh.
Another Rule To Live By: Photograph what you love and great results will follow. I have fun when photographing animals and I believe this shows in my images. I think a photographer's personality is often shown through his or her images, so capture what captures you.
