Foxes are beautiful animals, often misunderstood and branded pests. Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) can be found all over the UK, but often remain elusive due to their negative experiences with us humans. Seeing a fox can feel like a real honour!
This fox was out and about in the fields surrounding Bradford-Upon-Avon. In the countryside, they are often found in fields hunting smaller rodents, but their unfamiliarity with humans can also make them more elusive!
Common farm animals can also make wonderful subjects. This sheep (Ovis Aries) is nothing special in itself - one of millions in the UK - yet makes for a stunning subject when photographed.
I always find that this portrait gives the sheep an almost human-like feel - there is a distinct emotion in its face that is unavoidable, and you find yourself drawn into the minute details all around the animal!
Wild animals don't always seem 'wild'. Take for example, this young horse is monitored by a local farmer in the Gower region of Wales, but otherwise left to roam free along the clifftop fields. This one in particular is enjoying some summer sunshine!
The fact that these animals are wild yet are known to be domesticated can cause serious problems however. In this area alone, several horses have been lost to the sheer drops, driven there by unsuspecting humans approaching them for pictures or petting.
Perhaps the cheekiest animal in the UK - the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis) can be found pretty much everywhere. Infamously brought over from America and consequently decimating Red Squirrel populations in Britain, they are sometimes seen as pests more than anything.
I personally love their cheeky nature, and have found myself enjoying them more than several other animals as subjects. Much like Robins, they are bold and cheeky, and when food is on the table their confidence goes through the roof! Take a bag of nuts out with you and see how many squirrels you can entertain!
