NPWC#647: Vixen's Stare

This is a Red Fox vixen that I photographed a lot this winter at a state park in NJ. She was very habituated to people and allowed me to get pretty close sometimes without it being dangerous for either of us.

I really wanted a full frame shot of her face but couldn't do that with the lens I had so I cropped this to about 50-60% of original. I used a square crop to remove any background so I just had her fur in the frame. Her coat was so full and pretty I thought it would have a cool effect flowing out from her face into the frame borders.

Handheld. I did a minor unsharpen mask only. If you look closely you can see my reflection kneeling in the snow in her right eye.

I think Foxes have some of the most beautiful eyes in the animal kingdom. Seeing them in the light, like Jenaya's photo, is really amazing.

I chose this photo for the weekly challenge not because of the eye color, but because of the little wink or mysterious look she is giving me. I believe animals show emotion if you look closely enough and this is one example.

Canon EOS 7D
Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

ISO 250 | f/9 | 1/1250s

I hope you like it, Ashleigh