Today I'm starting a winter wildlife photo set, all mammals. The species that can survive our northern prairie winters are relatively few, and not many of them are birds. Some of the mammals - prairie dogs, ground squirrels - go underground to sleep away the winter. Others, including badgers, become torpid in their dens to save energy. As I'm not going to try crawling into a badger's den, we'll just be looking at a few species that remain active throughout the winter.

What may surprise some who follow my "stream" is that most of the dozen images, including this, were obtained on foot, not from the rolling red Toyota blind. I lay flat on the snow to photograph this Nuttall's Cottontail, and it went about its grooming without seeming disturbed. That is the key. To learn how to spend time with animals while not appearing threatening in any way.

Even though I have hundreds or even thousands of shots of these critters, every encounter was a thrill for me - a moment when whatever I tried... worked. There's no better feeling.

Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2023 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Nuttall's Cottontail Sylvilagus nuttallii wildlife animal mammal lagomorph rabbit bunny grooming relaxed winter snow wild prairie Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan Canada copyrighted James R. Page 2023

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She had been down by the river hunting voles and came up and laid down to rest.
I always watch where she is looking, as her senses are so much sharper then mine and nothing gets by those alert eyes, ears and that incredible nose.
She has at times, alerted me to approaching moose, fox, etc., long before I was aware that they were coming.
Camera settings: f.6.3 - 1/160 - 451mm - ISO 1250
Please view large.

Tags:   Fox Red Fox Female Red Fox Cute Nature Wildlife Outdoors Canon Telephoto Alaska AlaskaFreezeFrame Animals Mammals Carnivore Predator Zorro Sly Canon Mirrorless Canon R5 Closeup Portrait 100-500mm Female Beautiful Unusual Gorgeous Posing Mirrorless Early Morning Overcast Hunting Handholding River Ice Frozen Cold Freezing Snow Resting Trusting Woods Den Winter December Anchorage

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She had been out hunting and her pup from this year was with her.
She came over and laid down and the pup wandered off as it usually does to keep hunting.
It did come back after about a 30 minutes to check on mom.
Those two get along fine.
I hope that continues.
She has been avoiding the little males territory after that last fight.
Her coat is a darker red this year then previous years.
Camera Settings: f/7.1 - 1/100 - 472mm - ISO 2500
Please View Large.

Tags:   Fox Red Fox Female Red Fox Cute Nature Wildlife Outdoors Canon Telephoto Alaska AlaskaFreezeFrame Animals Mammals Carnivore Predator Zorro Sly Canon Mirrorless Canon R5 Closeup Portrait 100-500mm Female Beautiful Unusual Gorgeous Posing Mirrorless Early Morning Overcast Hunting Handholding River Ice Frozen Cold Freezing Snow Resting Trusting Woods Den Winter January Anchorage

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Took this back around the end of December.
This was near one of the dens that the pup was using at the time. It had two dens.
It has since relocated to new area, and I haven't tried to find the new den.
But, as it still hunts with its mom, I get to see it quite often.
With mating season fast approaching, it should be interesting to see who shows up.
There are several males that I haven't seen for quit awhile.
Some of the fox, tend to stay across the river till mating season gets here.
Camera Settings: f/5 - 1/125 - 159mm - ISO 2500
Please view large.

Tags:   Fox Red Fox Red Fox Pup Cute Nature Wildlife Outdoors Canon Telephoto Alaska AlaskaFreezeFrame Animals Mammals Carnivore Predator Zorro Sly Canon Mirrorless Canon R5 Closeup Portrait 100-500mm Beautiful Unusual Gorgeous Posing Mirrorless Early Morning Overcast Cold Hunting Frozen Snow Freezing Adorable Frost December Magnificent Grass Anchorage Hand Holding

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This is the new area that the pup seems to be favoring.
It often sits next to the base of this large cottonwood tree.
Sometimes, it will just lay down up there and watch what's going on below.
It was pretty early in the morning when I took this.
Light at that time has a definite bluish cast to it.
Mom, was still in the area laying down resting when I took this.
She was what had the pups attention.
Please note:
That this was shot at 1/13th of a second handholding the camera.
Camera Settings: f/7.1 - 1/13 - 500mm - ISO 3200
Please view large.

Tags:   Fox Red Fox Red Fox Pup Cute Nature Wildlife Outdoors Canon Telephoto Alaska AlaskaFreezeFrame Animals Mammals Carnivore Predator Zorro Sly Canon Mirrorless Canon R5 Closeup Portrait 100-500mm Beautiful Unusual Gorgeous Posing Mirrorless Early Morning Overcast Cold Hunting Handholding Frozen Snow Freezing Adorable Frost December Magnificent Grass Winter Anchorage

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