Foxecology: White on white: Arctic foxes in Canada photographed by Anna Henly

Sunday, November 22, 2015

White on white: Arctic foxes in Canada photographed by Anna Henly

An Arctic fox emerges from the mist. Save for its nose and eyes, it is barely visible against the snowy backdrop.

An Arctic fox emerges from the mist. Apart from its nose and eyes, it is barely visible against the snowy backdrop. The award-winning image was one of many captured by British photographer Anna Henly at the Seal River, in Manitoba, Canada.
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA

She flew to the remote region with photographer and biologist Matthias Breiter hoping to see polar bears. Instead they were greeted by a group of inquisitive Arctic foxes, and she spent 10 days photographing them.
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA

Arctic foxes fight over a frozen common eider duck

"They are very curious animals and were coming up to investigate us," said Anna. "They are scavengers and so they were looking for anything they can eat or were squabbling with each other over any food."
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA

One of Anna's portraits of Arctic foxes in Canada

Anna, who lives in Edinburgh, said the foxes were surprisingly tame, considering they have little contact with humans.
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA

An Arctic fox opens one eye while waking up from its sleep

She said: "There was quite a lot of interaction. You felt they were interested in you as much as you were interested in them.
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA

An Arctic fox curls up to keep itself warm in the snow

"They took to sleeping outside the hut as well. It was nice to wake up in the morning and see a fox curled up. They would yawn at you or scowl at you."
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA

An Arctic fox jumps over reindeer antlers at Seal River in Manitoba, Canada

She added: "It was definitely a highlight of my life. It was wonderful being somewhere so remote - it was true wilderness."
Picture: Anna Henly / Barcroft USA