A female red fox (vixen) is the central focus of this portrait orientation photograph. It’s a close-up image shot with a 100-400mm telephoto zoom lens, filling the frame with the fox and her immediate surroundings. She’s looking directly at the viewer with an alert gaze, her pink tongue is visible as she licks her nose. She’s just been drinking from one of her many watering holes around her territory, although this hole is part way up a mature tree in a hollow left from a lost bough! She has the characteristic reddish-orange fur on her back, legs, and ears, with grey, black, and white markings on her face, chest, and legs. A small white patch in the centre of her chest is just about visible. From the front this marking is a diamond star shape, identifying this individual as one year old Star. The background and foreground are dominated by the rough textured bark of the tree. Sprigs of fresh green leaves and small branches are scattered throughout the frame, adding a touch of vibrant Spring colour against the earthy tones of the tree bark and fox fur. You might also notice that Star is lactating! She’s now a mother and has cleverly hidden her very young kits well away from all prying eyes.
Pink Nose Day #ShareMondays2026 #FoxOfTheDay
For a bit of #ComicRelief 😉 here’s our little Star, half way up a #tree, licking drops of #water from her #nose after visiting one of her #WateringHoles 🦊💦 #nature #wildlife @rbgkew.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social