Red Fox Hunting

In the winter, red foxes use their extraordinary hearing aptitude to locate prey (mostly, voles, tiny mouse-like rodents living underground, below the frozen surface). Once detected, the fox burrows beneath layers of white in search of the voles and a much-anticipated next meal.

After six days of -20 degree Celsius temperatures in the harsh environment of Yellowstone National Park, we finally happened upon this striking red fox. His silky red fur, in contrast to the white blanket of snow, was a spectacular sight. I quietly exited our snow-coach, camera in hand, careful not to startle the creature. I crouched into position and was able to catch him as he sprang into action. His lithe form catapulted into the air and swiftly propelled downward, crunching the icy surface upon impact, before burying his face in the snow.

Red Fox, Yellowstone National Park, USA

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 500mm F/4, f/5.6, 1/1600s, ISO 800, handheld