Island Fox

To capture the Island Fox, place your camera much lower than you would for a standard mainland fox. These are 'bonsai' foxes, so a mounting height of just 6 to 10 inches off the ground provides the best eye-level perspective. Because they are naturally curious and lack a fear response to new objects, they will often walk right up to a camera to sniff the lens. Using a wide-angle lens is highly recommended to capture their entire body at close range.

Focus your efforts on transition zones where scrubland meets open trails or beaches. They frequently use human-made hiking trails as 'highways' through dense chaparral. Since they are active during the day (diurnal) as well as at night, ensure your camera is set to 24-hour operation. They are particularly fond of the fruit from the prickly pear cactus and manzanita; placing a camera near these fruiting plants during the late summer can yield excellent results.

While food baiting is often discouraged or prohibited in their protected habitats, you can attract their curiosity using non-food olfactory lures like a small amount of fatty acid soap or even a rag soaked in valerian root. Because they are remarkably fast and agile, use a camera with a high trigger speed (0.2 seconds or faster) and a short recovery time to ensure you don't just catch a glimpse of a tail disappearing from the frame.

During the spring months (April-May), look for rocky outcrops or hollowed-out logs which may serve as dens. However, maintain a respectful distance with your camera placement to avoid disturbing the pups. Because the islands can be windy and dusty, use a protective housing and check your lens for salt spray if you are filming near the coast.