One of my favorite photography locations is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. I travel to this location at least once a month and on many occasions, I have been fortunate to see foxes in different seasons and situations. Arriving just before sunrise is important because it is the first two hours after sunrise and before sunset that the birds and other animals are the most active. All my encounters with the foxes have been fortuitous and unplanned as they seem to pop up when I least expect them and the frequency of sightings in the refuge suggests a very healthy population.
When foxes are spotted in the refuge near the wildlife drive, you can always tell because of the collection of cars pulled over to the curb and the photographers start jumping out with tripods and long lenses. Because I go during weekdays and early in the morning, I have been lucky to avoid this display most of the time.
The images shown in this essay were all taken within the last year, and show foxes in different and interesting situations. The photo of the four fox kits was taken just last week and I titled the image “sibling portrait”. There were eight kits all together playing and romping around a dead log just ten yards from the road. I was very lucky to get these four in the split second when they all stopped to look at other siblings out of the frame. The parents were nowhere to be seen, but I am sure mom was close by.
Foxes are predators of small animals and unwary waterfowl. One image shows a young fox moving toward the edge of the water and seeming to be unaware of the egrets that are just feet away. Hopefully his hunting skills will improve. Another photo shows a fox with what appears to be a severed goose foot in his mouth. I spotted this fellow from some distance down a road. As he was heading toward me, I couldn’t see what he was carrying in his mouth, but as he came closer, I could see it was part of his (or another’s) recent kill. As I was taking his picture, he darted into the bushes and quickly hid his prize. Later I saw him peeking out to see if I was gone.
Although I go to Bombay Hook primarily to photograph birds and waterfowl, I am always happy to see what new things the foxes are up to.
