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Friday, 5 February 2021

Fox story

A few years ago I was doing my usual patrol of my local nature reserve with my camera when I came across this young fox. I soon realised by its behaviour that it had ventured out of it den and could not find its way back. Being black in colour told me that it was too young to be out on its own and knowing where its den was I picked it up and put it back in the entrance and watched it quickly disappear.

 

Several months later walking the same route I came across this young fox. It was startled at first and then settled down and watched me. It was then that I realised that it was the youngster that I had met before and it had recognised me as a friend.
I was able to get quite close to it and get these photographs. I met with it on lots of occasions after that and it just ignored me and often just walked past me giving me just a glance in recognition.

This behaviour I refer to as trust, the animal knows that I am somebody that will not harm it or worry it. I am a fellow creature that is no threat to it.
 

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17 comments:

  1. Phil Slade6 February 2021 at 10:52

    A lovely story Mike. I hope the fox didn't put it's trust in everyone though. There are some pretty nasty people knocking about.

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  2. Mike Attwood6 February 2021 at 15:34

    Thankyou Phil,
    The fox only recognised me and only approached people when I was there. It made me feel really important. Stay safe.
    Mike.

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  3. Lasse8 February 2021 at 15:44

    Ooooh wonderful story Mike !! That you can live long on and I'm sure you wear it deep in your heart ! I have now bought an IR camera. See if I can get something on it to report :)

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood8 February 2021 at 16:05

      Hi Lasse,
      I am more than a lover of wildlife I have great respect for them and I find I get respect in return. It is almost 80years since my first deed, it was the caring of a swift that ha flown into a wall. It was released several days later and I believe it returned in the following years. I was 4years old at the time. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  4. Titus John White8 February 2021 at 19:39

    Hello Mike,
    An absolutely marvelous encounter with the fox cub, how fortunate it was you that came upon it . When I am out on or land with the Barn Owls, I get all sorts of visitors to the hide, from hedgehogs to foxes, its so good, especially with the hedgehogs snuffling away and trying to get in.
    You stay safe and well.
    John

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood8 February 2021 at 23:34

      Hello John,
      It was a wonderful experience and I have had similar moments throughout my life. I do give the animals a bit of encouragement or reward and it pays off. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  5. waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek9 February 2021 at 18:56

    Hi Mike
    that's exactly how I see it, you can tell from the behavior of the animals which one is fond of you or not ... nice story
    Greetings Frank

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood10 February 2021 at 00:24

      Thankyou Frank,
      I can see by the way they look at me whether they trust me.
      Stay safe.
      Mike.

      Delete
  6. Ana Mínguez Corella9 February 2021 at 19:33

    Hi Mike... What a beautiful story!!! I love this...
    Have a nice week... Stay safe...

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood10 February 2021 at 00:27

      Hi Anna,
      Glad you liked it. Stay safe and enjoy yourself.
      Mike.

      Delete
  7. Germán Ibarra Zorrilla20 February 2021 at 10:04

    Preciosa historia con final feliz, me ha encantado. Enhorabuena Mike y gracias por compartir. Un fuerte abrazo desde el norte de España.

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  8. Caroline 25 February 2021 at 14:00

    Beautiful photos of the foxes Mike. Greetings Caroline

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood26 February 2021 at 00:36

      Thankyou Caroline, It is my favourite English animal. I have one that comes to supper every night. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  9. Breathtaking27 February 2021 at 09:09

    Hello Mike,:=) A truly wonderful story. I'm amazed that the young fox let you pick him up. It is a photogenic creature, so beautiful in your captures. He was lucky you came along, and that you knew where the lair was. Friendships and trust between animals and humans are very special.

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood4 March 2021 at 23:45

      Sorry Sonjia,
      I seem to have missed your comment. I didn't pick it up, I ushered it in the right direction by walking close to it. Close enough for it to pick up my scent. I never touch animals I just carry a biscuit in my pocket and that is what they remember. Stay safe.
      Mike.

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  10. Richard Pegler5 March 2021 at 19:59

    I now know that you're a wildlife hero, Mike, and I congratulate you and thank you for it! It seems that your compassionate act was well rewarded, however.

    Have you seen any Hedgehogs yet this year?

    Best wishes - take good care - - - Richard

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    Replies
    1. Mike Attwood6 March 2021 at 00:12

      Thankyou Richard,
      I like the animals and I think they know it so they treat me as a friend or at least thats the way it seems. I was at a kite feeding station once and a kite was on the ground in the pouring rain, it was quite still and obviously in trouble as there was nobody around I walked out onto the field and picked it upand to my surprise it snuggled into my coat and just gazed at me. I carried it back to where I new it would be looked after. I put it into an avairy on a pile of straw and gave it some food. Not once did it struggle or attempt to fly away and it was released a couple of days later. Loads of photo's were taken but unfortuneatly I don't have any. As to the hedgehogs no sign of them since my neighbour cut the grass last year. Stay safe.
      Mike.

      Delete

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Mike Attwood - Photographer

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About Me

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Evacuated during the second world war to a village in Yorkshire where I lived in the home of a good photographer for more than five years who taught me the basics and a great deal about nature. Well past retirement age I have been a wildlife photographer for more than 30 years. Red Kites have been my speciality for much of this period. I did spend several years snapping wheelchair athletes and organizing the British Road Race Championship. In the year 2000 I was awarded a distinction by the Royal Photographic Society for my portfolio on wheelchair athletes. Most of my pics are digital, using Sony cameras and Sigma lenses. I used to spend many weeks each year with friends in Wales which is close to the Elan Valleys where I got many of my raptor pics. I now get these pictures more closely to home, specially red kites and peregrines. I support my pension by selling my pics, cards, coasters, fridge magnets and key rings etc. at craft fairs, something I wish I had done much earlier in life. I give illustrated talks to clubs and societies on wildlife and other branches of photography that I have been involved in.