Photographing a Red Fox Den. Backcountry Wildlife Photography VS Urban Wildlife Photography

How do you photograph a Fox den? This is a question I've asked myself so many times and in this weeks video, I'll talk all about it! If you've seen some of my previous videos, you know that I love getting into the backcountry for the majority of my wildlife photography. But that doesn't mean that I won't brave the crowds when the right opportunity presents itself. In this weeks video, I take you along as I review a Red Fox den that I was recently able to photograph. This Fox den was so convenient and nice to photograph because it was located in the middle of town.
Photographing Foxes can be very difficult at times. Whether you're looking for them in town, or in the backcountry, each situation presents its own set of challenges. I'll review the pros and cons of each and let you decide which you prefer!
As always, thanks for the support, it's greatly appreciated. If you're new to this channel, please consider subscribing and if you liked this video, please share it around, that helps me out so much. Have a great week everyone!
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[@DebCamPhoto]

Thank you for another great and insightful video. You shouldn't feel the need to explain why you like being alone in nature. Most of us that enjoy doing the same, understand. Your respect for wildlife and nature is why you are my favorite photographer to watch on KZbin. 👍🏼 In Cades Cove in the great smoky mountains, black bears can often be seen near the road. I rarely stop in this situation, because the lack of respect shown to these beautiful creatures is disheartening and frustrating. I can't control people and most don't want to be educated or "told what to do" so I just move along and find my bears where the people aren't.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you so much, I always appreciate your comments and support 😊 I've had similar scenarios in some of the nearby national parks and it's gotten to the point, like you said, when I don't even stop sometimes. I guess that's another reason I love the backcountry so much. I've wanted to visit Cades Cove for a few years now, I hear it's just a stunning area in general!

[@old4004]

Thank you, Jimmy, for your usual emphasis on photography skills and ethics. We could do with more of your "preaching".

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks for watching! I hope it's not too preachy 😆

[@terryroth2855]

Great vlog and info Jimmy. Those fox pups are the best. So well done. Myself, I rarely see any photographers on my outings. Maybe two in the last ten years.👍👍

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks Terry! Wow, that's amazing, you must be going to some wonderful areas!

[@terryroth2855]

@@JimmyBreitenstein Thanks Jimmy. I think mostly around my area, the timber is pretty tight, making wildlife photography pretty tough, thus not that many wildlife photographers. Quite a few landscapers though, and they produce some very nice images.😃

[@kmaxphotography]

This was such a fun fox den to photograph!!! My first time ever with foxes, my heart was in a rush when I pull into the fields to see if there was anything interesting going on and saw all those little guys running around. Also very thankful for the advice you gave me about them and their mother, the wildlife need to always come first and it’s important to educate people like me who are new/unfamiliar. Went to check in on them one evening and was quite disturbed to see a mother who was letting her children run around in the field to see the foxes. I really didn’t want to be rude and tell the mother what to do but it just made my blood boil to know how that was affecting those babies. I stopped and rolled down the window to just ask nicely that she tells her kids to leave the field and that they would have a better chance of seeing the foxes in their vehicle from the road. The mother was extremely understanding and simply just didn’t know how to treat wildlife. All it takes most of the time is being nice and educating! The example you set Jimmy is amazing! Thank you.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks man! It was good to see you again out there and I'm glad you were able to have some fun experiences out there with them! Wow, actually running around in the field!? I'm so glad you said something to her. Like you said, she just didn't know, so I'm glad you were able to politely handle the situation to help her and the Foxes by educating her. Well done my friend 👏

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Another super video Jimmy, they seem to be getting better every week. Some great footage of the Foxes but most importantly a very good message to all wildlife photographers. I have found in most cases the wildlife photographers that I come across are generally very good but there is always the exception that really are only interested in getting that shot regardless of the effects on the animal or bird. Thanks for the video and for the very important message. Have a great week.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks Keith! That's been my experience as well, it's so refreshing when the majority of photographers out there care most about the wildlife. Thanks for your support, I hope weather and such are improving in your area so you can make it out more. Have a wonderful week!

[@zoltantolgyesi3891]

Speech about respectful wildlife photography is always appreciated. Thank you for it again. It is a very big problem, and people still consider it a taboo for some reason. We have a huge problem with this with seals. Underwater photographers "camp" in front of the sea cave where the pups hide, and waiting for the mother to return to take their photos. Very hard for me to watch the struggle of the animals as I am way off on the cliffs, trying to photograph them respectfully. Keep up the great work Jimmy.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much for the input and kind comments! I hope with time more and more photographers will learn about how their actions can potentially harm the wildlife they photograph and habits and practices will change. Luckily, I think most people really do care and try to do what's best for the animals.

[@typicalmuley6364]

Great video and advise Jimmy. I will take photos of wildlife where I can, but for me there is just something magical about encounters with wildlife in the backcountry. Solitude in a wild setting is one place that I find myself the most complete and fulfilled. On the other hand some of my most memorable encounters with wildlife has been from the seat of my vehicle.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Those backcountry experiences can be the best there are, yet it always surprises me the incredible images people get from their vehicles!

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

Awesome photos and video! I enjoy wildlife where ever I can find it, as long as there is a good spot to photograph it from. Today was quite exciting and nerve wracking the first of the Red Tailed Hawks fledged. Then flew off toward a very busy highway! Hopefully I'll see it again as the parents still have to feed the sibling in the nest. Most of my wildlife encounters have been very brief and fleeting.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks! I love hearing these updates with this Hawk family! I'm assuming the others have now left the nest? I hope they're all doing well!

[@jasonloftus6862]

Great message buddy, well said!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you my friend, always appreciated 👍

[@KevinNordstrom]

Hey Jimmy. Wonderful footage of those fox cubs man. I actually prefer the back country. Its so quiet and i can reflect and meditate when i put my camera down. Urban areas can get shots still and has its benefits. but its defiantly more stressful. Like you said, its a reset. Even with no photos. People as a whole just suck sometimes.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Couldn't agree with you more, Kevin! Like you say, even when you don't get images, it's still so worth being out there!

[@littleoneadventures]

It is a dream of mine to photograph a fox den, but unforunatly I have not been able to find one. I have seen a fox a couple of times and have searched but I cant find one. Such fantastic footage of the kits, wonderful to see them playing. They are so beautiful. Loved the information and video.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Fox dens are some of my favorite things to photograph as a wildlife photographer. They can take a ton of work, but it's always worth it. Keep up the effort, it'll pay off when you find one!

[@markjensen663]

Thanks for the video Jimmy. Just this spring on my suburban drive into work I had to slow for a fox crossing the road in front of me. He was most likely hunting as there had been ducks and geese loitering for the ice to go out on the ponds and wetland straddling the roadside area there. I had my camera but was running a little late so I continued on. The next several mornings I drove the quieter side and behind roads in that area hoping to get a glimpse or shot of the fox but did not see it. Sadly later that week at just the spot he had crossed in front of me the fox laid dead in the road obviously struck by a car. It just goes to show how vulnerable your fox kits are if their mother was to have that happen to her. While her family is safer from predators near town it comes at a risk from us humans.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

That's so sad, it kills me when I see and hear about stuff like that. Unfortunately, that's a fairly common occurrence when it comes to species like Red Foxes that habitually den near humans and towns. I hope the other foxes in that family are all well and ok.

[@johnwelch1854]

I have had a similar scenario with a fox den in town. It was great to be able to bring my kids to watch them from the car. I think foxes prefer to den in fields/ near people both because of the hunting habitat for rodents and the security the human presence provides against coyotes. In the northeast, our coyotes are 50-88% wolf interbreeds and much larger than western coyotes. I have actually watched a pack of coyotes take down a deer on my property! So I would imagine the foxes like people to avoid them.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Fox dens are always so much fun. I agree, I've seen a lot more Fox dens close to or in towns and cities vs in the backcountry. I think the accessibility food is also a huge draw for them in these areas. They have so much access to pet food, garbage and humans thinking they need to be fed that it makes things a lot easier for them compared to their backcountry cousins.

[@christianwetzel1862]

The photographer in me says: go to the accessible places with the animals which are somewhat used to human presence. The introvert in me says: go where there will be no one but yourself and nature. At least sometimes there's a compromise like going to the park at 5.30 am. :)

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

I generally follow my inner introvert 😁 both are wonderful options though!

[@MdragePhoto]

I have tried to photograph some local foxes at a fairly busy park but they are very skittish because many people let their dogs run off leash. Do you think camo/a hide would be necessary even in the winter when the park is almost completely empty?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Yeah, Foxes can be quite difficult, especially if they've had negative encounters with people. From my experience with blinds and Foxes, you usually need to keep your blind up for an extended period of time in order for them to get used to it and for it to be effective. That may be difficult in a park, so I'd recommend trying to get them used to your presence. Start really far off and just sit or walk around for a bit, and then leave and do it again over the coming days. Hopefully they'll get used to you after a while and you'll be able to approach closer and get some images. Give it a try and see what happens.