Red Fox and Tree

Written By Andrew Hertel
 
Red fox sitting in snow covered field looking at a large white birch tree

Visiting Japan, especially the northern island of Hokkaido, fulfilled a long-held dream for me. As I wandered through the vast winter landscape, with fields blanketed in pristine snow broken only by the occasional tree, a smile spread across my face. This was something I had imagined for so long.

My main goal for the trip was to capture the beauty of Hokkaido’s trees against the backdrop of the cloudy winter skies and snow-covered fields. But I also harbored a desire to encounter a red fox in its natural habitat. As the sun began to set on my final day on the island, I finally spotted one!

From a distance, I noticed a beautiful white birch tree, and as I approached, I saw the red fox peacefully napping in the snow nearby. I watched silently, not wanting to disturb it. After some time, just as I was about to move on, the fox stirred from its slumber. It began to walk toward the back of the hillside before stopping abruptly, seemingly overcome by post-nap confusion. It sat down and gazed intently at the tree. I couldn’t help but wonder if it, too, was admiring the tree’s beauty.

Moments like these, simple yet profound, are what I cherish most in nature. They etch themselves into my memory, reminding me of the wonder and beauty that surrounds us.

I hope you enjoy this image as much as I did creating it.

~Andrew

Andrew Hertel

Andrew Hertel is a fine art black and white nature photographer based in Southern California, specializing in landscapes, seascapes, and wildlife. His work is rooted in a deep connection to the natural world, where he strives to create images that invite the viewer to feel as if they were standing beside him in the moment of capture.

Driven by a love for exploration, Andrew often seeks out remote and rugged locations, finding quiet beauty in both iconic landscapes and lesser-known places. He is an emotional photographer at heart—his strongest work emerges from personal connection to the subject, scene, or place, and that connection is visible in the images he creates.

In addition to his fine art work, Andrew leads photography workshops and gives presentations to inspire others to see and experience nature in new ways. His goal is to create art that encourages people to pause, reflect, and connect more deeply with the world around them.

https://www.andrewhertel.com
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