How do foxes interact with other wildlife?

Most (small) wildlife prefers to avoid foxes, for obvious reasons. How foxes interact with larger wildlife, such as deer, varies from fox to fox. Some foxes are terrified of those weird animals with branches on their heads, but there are also foxes that pretend they're just not there.

Furthermore, they will have few wildlife encounters in our overcrowded country. They might occasionally meet a cat that usually tolerates foxes.

Foxes are often said to be nocturnal, but…. we actually made them so. Because we were hunting them, they – logically – chose to avoid us. In areas where they are not hunted and where people do not pose a threat to them, you see that they (also) become diurnal. Foxes are usually not too afraid of people in these areas as they have no reason to be.

The funny thing is that people sometimes say; "Isn't that unnatural?! A fox that is not afraid?!" To which I reply that a frightened fox is unnatural. We used to give them a reason to run from us. But isn't it plain awesome when people and animals can live side by side without fearing each other? Sounds like paradise to me!

What do I love the most about foxes? You might as well ask: What do I not like about them?! Foxes are such incredibly friendly animals. Family members groom each other's fur and fox moms are the best moms ever. And so are the big sisters, who often stay for another year or two and help with raising the cubs.

In addition, foxes are very intelligent and they all have very specific personalities. This combination ensures that you never really know exactly what to expect with foxes. Surprises guaranteed!

The most tricky thing about photographing in winter is the cold. So, the most important thing is that you are well dressed. I have my Fjällräven polar parka and a Fjällräven Brenner pro to keep the cold and humid out. And of course, a hat, gloves and good, snow-proof shoes.

In addition, it is important to protect your camera against the snow. Use a good cover and make sure you don't shoot against the snow, as it's almost impossible to get your lens clean in such conditions.

Oh, and never try to hide your camera beneath your clothes. The sudden warmth causes your lens to fog up so that you can no longer see anything and worse …the inside of your camera might condensate. Needless to say, moisture and electronics don't go very well together...

Focusing during a snowdrift is almost impossible, so in dense snow, I’d advise focusing manually.

Cameras tend to compensate for all that white, which results in a (too) dark image. It is therefore best to overexpose on cloudy days with snow. If the sun is shining, you risk blown-out whites and in that case, I’d recommend underexposure.

How long do my photography trips in nature usually take?

I travel up and down. This is very exciting because I don't have a car and three snowflakes on the track are enough to disrupt our entire public transport. So it's always exciting whether I get there and then…whether I come home again.

I like to experience the moment when you really disappear and become one with your subject and your surroundings. That's the best feeling in the world. I can remember laying in the snow at 10.4°F and feeling perfect. It wasn't until I went home that I noticed how cold, tired and hungry I actually was. When you are really in that "flow", all inconveniences disappear. And these are also the moments when really special photos can emerge because that's when the magic happens. I often hear: "You really know how to capture the character, the soul of an animal." I think that people mean that they experience something of the connection that took place while making the photo. You see that, you feel that.