FOX PHOTOGRAPHY
Kirsten Ferguson
I am Kirsten Ferguson, an educator, artist, and wildlife photographer based in Paisley in the west of Scotland. My photographic work focuses on the natural world, and observations of animal behaviour. l am best known for my images of foxes. The red fox is an iconic symbol of British wildlife, and I have been fortunate enough to observe and photograph these beautiful animals for over a decade. During this time I have built a relationship with my local fox family, and have watched their interactions over successive generations.
am a trained fine artist, working with the available natural light to capture images that convey a sense of narrative, beyond merely capturing a documentary shot. During my years observing this species I have learned a lot about their behaviours. Foxes are opportunistic animals who will scavenge for any available food source, and being omnivorous they will eat insects and worms as well as fruits and vegetables. Foxes are an important part of our habitats, whether in urban or rural environments, providing natural pest control by predating rodents.
Fox numbers are largely self-regulating and they make incredible parents, with both the dog (male) and vixen (female) heavily involved in the rearing of their young. It is an endless source of joy to watch young fox cubs interact with each other, and explore their surroundings. Urban foxes are incredibly inquisitive and playful, often stealing dogs and children's toys from gardens to play with. I feel incredibly privileged to capture candid moments that others rarely get a chance to see.
Foxes have a long history of being persecuted in the UK, and I hope that my advocacy through photographic work invites discussion, debate and reflection on how foxes positively contribute to our fragile ecosystems.
This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 7.