C10 - Animal Portraits CW Marcia Walters - Besties - Nature Photographer of the Year

Name: Marcia Walters
Picture title: Besties
Category: Animal Portraits
Nationality: United States of America
Occupation: Part time bird and wildlife photographer, I am a registered nurse, now retired from hospital nursing and currently a hospice volunteer.

Technical information
Camera: Sony ILCE-9
Lens: Sony ILCE 200-600mm 5.6-6.3
EXIF: Exposure 1/400 sec, F6.3, 0.7EV, focal length 576mm, ISO 3200, Exposure manual, animal eye tracking, hand held
Accesories: None

WINNER CATEGORY ANIMAL PORTRAITS
Marcia Walters | Besties

Marcia Walters says:

Vulpus Vulpus, Red Fox Kit Siblings

These spring fox siblings were walking together side by side in the evening. It was quiet, just these 2 fox kits and myself. I stayed at a low level. They slowly moved closer to each other. As they were walking, the tawny male kit threw his tail over the back of the female silver-phase kit. He then gently pulled her towards him using his tail. I can only think of this behavior as a show of affection. It lasted for less than a minute. They then slowly separated and continued to walk together.

I have been observing and photographing Red Foxes for 13 years. I enjoy capturing images that show their essence and their different behaviors. My goal is that the images are impactful to those who see them. This particular behavior is one that I have not seen prior or since this day. I have seen them since, on rare occasions, flip their tails over another fox but more as a playful gesture and not what I observed here, it looked to me like an affectionate hug.

Image was taken in NW Washington State.

Marcia Walters

USA

I was encouraged at a very young age to start drawing by my grandmother. She would sit beside me encouraging me to create. I continued to enjoy art; especially drawing animals. I ended with art as a major art in college. I think the early focus on art has helped me as a photographer.

In addition our family visited National Parks often which gave me an appreciation of wildlife and public lands. As a child I was in awe of the birds and wildlife that we had the opportunity to watch. This feeling has continued and has helped with my dedication to bird and wildlife photography. It also strives to inspire people to appreciate watching wildlife and supporting public lands.

I photograph primarily red foxes and short-eared owls.

https://whyworryphotography.smugmug.com/