Where do you get your thrills?
Some people may get if from climbing Mount Everest, closing a business deal, dangling from a bungee cord or running for political office. Not me. Those examples are no match to the thrill of watching and photographing magic moments with wildlife.
Back in May, on a desolate road in Yellowstone, my adrenaline rush lasted a full hour as I watched a gorgeous fox hunting in snow. I could hardly stop from shaking the camera as I anticipated that the fox would jump and dive deep into the snow in search of another meadow vole.
How is it possible that a fox can be walking on top of the snow and manage to hear a vole a number of feet away beneath the snow? Not only does the fox hear it, but manages to identify a location so precise to dive in and get it?
The beauty, grace and skill of the fox left me speechless. This is my favourite sequence of a successful hunt.
I love the way the fox is tilting its head as it listens so intently.
It crouches down and waits for a second …
then leaps remarkably high in the air …
making a beautiful arch with its leap …
while extending that gorgeous tail.
The focus is absolute.
The fox’s paws move closer to the head to assist with breaking through the snow.
Entry!
Sending snow flying as it jumps back out of the hole it created.
Holding on to the prize catch.
Standing there with a snack as though it had just picked it off a shelf in the fridge. In some strange, and unbelievable way this was all normal activity.
Now that was a thrill to watch!
Krahnpix 
So cute! And nice sequence of shots 😀
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It was incredible to watch and photograph. Glad you enjoyed it.
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That was an amazing series of pictures. How long did that take from start to finish? 10 seconds?
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I’m glad you enjoyed them. It was a thrill to watch. Good question on the timing. The fox would be walking across the field stopping occasionally and cocking its head to listen. That would be ongoing. As soon as it got into a crouch position, I learned that it would always jump and typically do it fairly quickly. From the time it started to crouch until it came up from under the snow would be 2-3 seconds.
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Reblogged this on This Got My Attention and commented:
Wow! Here’s a fantastic series of photos of a fox hunting in snow. I like how he cocks his head, hearing something underneath the snow and then goes into action.
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Thanks. You identified the three steps that kept on thrilling me as he repeated the process.
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Amazing Pictures…
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Thanks. It was an amazing experience to watch.
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Amazing pics.
On a lighter note, the third picture looks like a joint logo of Firefox and Puma 😛
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Thanks. I had to double check those logos but you are exactly right! That’s hilarious.
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Absolutely spectacular! What a treat. I’m jealous … but happy for you. Very, very well done.
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Thank so much. There was a lot to be happy about that day. That fox has reserved a special place in my memory.
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Now this is for me what wildlife photography is all about, being in the right place at the right time and having the skill to tell a story using images. Great Stuff
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It all certainly make for a special wildlife experience. I had to be fortunate in a number of categories and I’m so pleased it all came together.
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this is just an incredible series of photos!
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Why thank you. It was just amazing and so much fun to watch.
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Dear Lyle, Superb sequence and excellent shots. Regards, Ganesh.
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Thank you so much. It was truly a thrill to be there and be able to record a sequence a share.
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Wow – what a great set of captures!! I have seen terriers that can identify creatures below ground and dig very accurately to snag them – but in snow it’s so instantaneous. Amazing!!
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I am still blown away by the whole process. So many things have to go right for that hunt to be successful. Clearly I would starve.
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Me too. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.
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🙂
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I love this series….also loved the shadows of the fox as they changed…wonderful!
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Thanks. Great observation on the shadows! I was so fortunate the light was working with the scene.
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Wonderful…..I’ve experienced that adrenaline rush…amazingly with a family of foxes, lol! No images like this though!
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Thanks. I’ve always hoped to be able to photograph a family of foxes. Glad you got the opportunity.
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It was a total thrill!
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Awesome
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What a great sequence of photos! I bet that was cool to see.
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Thanks. It was absolutely spectacular. I don’t think I’ve ever been so thrilled.
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Stunning! I loved seeing the movements of the fox.
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It was a remarkable show the fox put on and I had ring side seats! OK there were no seats and it wasn’t that close but you know what I mean …
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Excellent!
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Thanks. It was a thrill to be there.
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Reblogged this on photographyofnia.
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This was so exciting, so beautiful, and GREAT photographs… You are amazing. Thank you, love, nia
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I am happy that I was able to convey some of the excitement that I felt at the time. It was an amazing experience. I’m glad you liked it and I appreciate the reblog.
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A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!!
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Thanks so much. Glad to hear you like it.
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Man you’re awesome 😀 great work ❤
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Thanks. It really was a most fortunate encounter that made it all possible.
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Super cool. Love the suspended animation and tension of all four feet in the air!! 🙂
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Thanks. That’s probably why I stick to still photography. I could have captured a movie clip of the same action and it would be good but there’s something about that extra tension of stopping time. We don’t get to do that in real life.
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I agree. I think a video would be cool – but you would lose that incredible moment poised in mid-air. That batch of foxes close to our house moved elsewhere so I was glad to see yours in lieu, so to speak.
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Too bad they moved. The neighboorhood won’t be the same.
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I certainly have a greater appreciation for timed millisecond captures after my many (failed) attempts to get just one decent firework photo! This series was truly spectacular and I share your amazement watching this magical, yet mundane, moment.
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Thanks. It’s nice find people with the same fascination. I like your description of a magical but mundane moment. It certainly was all of that.
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Great capture, Lyle! Beautiful fox, too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this sight that I’ve never seen in real life.
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Glad you enjoyed it. I know I certainly did and had never seen anything life that before that wonderful experience.
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Wow!! Fantastic photo sequence, Lyle. I love foxes, they’re so cute and cool 😀
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Thanks. I was secretly hoping to get a fox shot and this blew open my expectations. Definitely cute and cool as well as efficient predators.
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Wow, this little story was exiting like a crime. I was waiting and hopped to find out what’s one menu for lunch:-) Amazing, great job. LG Thee
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I’m sure that meadow vole would agree that a terrible crime was committed! I’m glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the comments.
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These are great! I can only imagine how thrilling this all would have been. What an amazing creature.
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Thanks. It’s really hard for me to imagine all the things that have to right before that hunt is successful … and yet it is.
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Wow, Amazing! superb click at every moment. Great cleverness.
Nice post!
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Thanks so much. It was definitely a fun post to put together and brought back great memories.
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The beauty, grace, and skill of the fox may have left you speechless–your photos have the same effect on me. The technical challenges of getting such beautiful images in the snow are daunting by themselves and when you factor in the adrenaline surges that you described, it’s amazing that you were able to hold your camera steady for the whole sequence. For many single shots, the type of camera does not really matter, but a sequence like this helps to remind me that an experienced photographer with the right equipment at the right place and time can produce magic. Lyle the Magician–it has a certain ring to it. I can’t wait for your next magic trick.
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Thanks so much. I think the magic was mostly the fox and I may be all out of tricks – I’m not sure what could top this for me. You rightly pointed out some of the factors that contribute to a shot sequence like this coming together but there is definitely some good fortune as well. It was a magical day.
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Wow
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Thanks
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This is what it’s all about, great post Lyle.
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Thanks. That really is what it’s about.
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Awesome photos! Really enjoying your posts and blog.
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Thanks. So glad to have come along for the ride. I appreciate the comments.
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Great sequence of photos!!
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Thanks so much.
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I am with you , I get a thrill in catching our wildlife doing what comes naturally but doesnt normally get seen, thanks for sharing these great photos
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It really is a unique thrill for those who are fascinated by wildlife. I’m glad you enjoyed them.
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Truly amazing shots. Somehow they remind me of scrat, the ice age character. 🙂
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I had to look that character up – looks like a character! I’m glad you appreciated the shots.
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It makes a trip worth everything you have done. Awesome!
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Thanks. There are so many lonely, unproductive times wandering around seeing nothing … and then this miraculous scene happens right in front of me and I get hooked all over again.
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I agree with you… Capturing wildlife or amazing photos like aurora borealis is a huge adrenaline rush. These shots are perfect and tell an amazing story not everyone gets to see… Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
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It’s certainly my pleasure to share and I’m happy to hear your response. Those of us who share these adrenaline rushes understand.
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Amazing photos! Our last trip to Yellowstone we saw quite a few foxes. They are such beautiful creatures–and those tailsl!
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Thanks. Good for you to see all those foxes. We only saw two, but this one was special.
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I share your definition of a thrill. Wish I could have seen it live, but your photos are good enough for me to imagine what it was like! Thank you!!
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I wish you could have been there too. Some of us have just been hard wired to enjoy these types of thrills. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
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I understand that the fox by sound may judge how deep in the snow the mouse is, but what I don’t understand is how it may assure itself that there is no stone/rock 2 inches under the surface? It may prove a nasty surprise and as far as I know they don’t have a dentist at hand?
Did you take a peek at the bear and the lynx that I have displayed recently?
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There are so many things that have to go right to enable that fox to get lunch including the nasty surprises you mentioned. It truly is a miracle.
Thanks for the heads up on the bear and lynx – those were great shots.
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That was thrilling! No wonder your adrenaline kicked into high gear – these are some of the best photographs of a fox in its own element w/o a clue that it was being so closely watch. Congratulations for these incredible shots – I think they are prize worthy.
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I’m glad you enjoyed them. It was hard to describe the feeling of watching that scene repeat itself, the smile on my face was big! I really appreciate the comments.
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WOW… just WOW. What a thrill indeed! That was incredible and really cool to view in that sequence. Major kudos!!
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Thanks so much. I was left in wonder after watching that and so pleased that I had photos to record the experience and bring back some particularly fond memories.
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Excellent series.
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Thanks so much.
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Your pictures are impressively clear! Amazing sequence and such a beautiful animal!
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It really is a gorgeous animal and I felt so honoured to be able to watch it from a distance. I’m sure it must have been aware of my presence but wandered freely about the meadow searching for food. I have a little rule about the photos – I only post the clearer ones but there are lots of others. I was fortunate this time.
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Snow! Say it ain’t so! Last evening, sitting on the dock at our cottage in Northern Ontario, we heard a splash behind us. Upon investigation we found a giant Blue Heron grabbing a quick snack close to shore. I was able to get about 10 feet from it, but alas, my iphone camera just could not handle the job. I thought to myself “hmm, that Lyle Krahn would have gotten the shot!”
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That’s funny. I know one thing, I wouldn’t have gotten the shot with my iPhone! I am somewhat amused that my name would come up during your holiday!
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Only because you get the best pictures….and I, sadly, do not!
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Great!
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Thanks.
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You could make a flip book with those! Beautiful shots, beautiful fox, splendid sequence…
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Thanks. It was a glorious opportunity to be there and I was so pleased that I had some images to show from that wonderful time. Glad you liked them.
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Thrills indeed! What a fantastic series, Lyle. Excellent capture, both for you and the fox.
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Thanks. I must say the fox, playing the lead role here, did the heavy lifting. Even if I was directing, it couldn’t have gone any better!
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Another great article with a delicious main course of fox eye candy.. This is something i would love to experience Lyle 🙂
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Thanks so much. Fox eye candy – never heard that term before but I like it. I wish everyone could experience it.
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Fantastic sequence. I assume you set the camera up for multiple shots? Nice focus in all of the shots! It surely is amazing that they can hear the position of the mouse so accurately.
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Thanks. Yes I was taking 10 frames per second starting at from the third photo so the whole jump is only only about half a second. I was pleasantly surprised that the fox was in focus for all of them. The accuracy of their hearing is really beyond belief.
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Amazing sequence. I can surely relate to that adrenalin rush.
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It kept happening over and over and the adrenalin kept flowing. I’m still surprised I was able to capture it.
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