Renewed Opportunity

A little back story on my foxy friend here. Captured near Buckhorn, Ontario in the Spring of 2020 this little fella was on the verge of death. He contracted a common disease in foxes called sarcoptic mange. It can however be treated and that is just what my close friend Melissa did. She contacted a local vet and took the necessary steps to help nurse this wild fox back from the brink of death. I’ve known Melissa since I was in single digits, I’ve been cottaging at Buckhorn Lake since I was 4. Melissa has a compassionate soul for wildlife and the environment, she has continued to inspire and support me throughout my photography career. This image, created in July of the same year, is basically on Melissa’s front ‘lawn’ (she literally lives in a forest). This fox and its family are often seen around her property. So, they are somewhat habituated to human activity and are a curious bunch. On this particular evening, the fox sat staring at me, assessing the situation. He remained frozen for a few moments in this position. This was the first of three gaping yawns before he hopped to all fours and trotted towards me & my camera. Up until 2020, foxes have been somewhat of a challenge for me, I previously had little success in photographing them. That started to change as I invested more time in learning how to better track and photograph them. This is a portrait I’m particularly proud to show off. Captured in location that means so much to me and for the fact he was cared for, and virtually saved from the brink of death by a good friend who has a compassionate soul for Mother Nature. Thank you to Melissa for making this special moment possible.