Playful foxes photos result of 'luck and patience'

A keen amateur photographer said it was down to luck and patience that he captured a shot of three fox cubs with their mother playing on top of a hay bale.

Dan Beaman, 42, from Irchester, Northamptonshire said he travelled to nearby North Bedfordshire and waited over two evenings to snap the curious creatures.

He said he had been taking photos for about 15 years and it helped him to switch off and unwind from his job as co-chairman of Irchester United Football Club.

He said he only had a few days, in mid-July, to get the "shot" after the hay had been cut and before they were taken away.

Beaman said his two passions were football and photography, and he took photos to help him deal with "day-to-day stresses", which was good for his mental health.

"Foxes are my favourite, as the cubs are about at this time of year.

"I also take images of badgers, owls, deer, otter, anything really."

He said timing was key.

"Before the hay is cut, and it's tall, you can't see them, so you have to wait until it's cut, then baled.

"It is then only a few days before the bales are taken away, so you only have between four and five days to get the shot every year.

"They are happy to play on the bales, but when they are gone, they go into hiding.

"I've been quite lucky; it's the reward for all the patience and time you put in."

Beaman said: "I will sit there from about 17:00 to 22:00 until it gets dark.

"I've been known to stand in one spot from sunrise to sunset in the past to get certain photos but mainly in the winter when the days are shorter.

"Patience is key, you have to get the right moment, just waiting for that pose."

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