Pictures show Fantastic Mrs Fox in her natural world

Vixen and fox cubs. Photo: Steve Plume (Image: (C)2014 Steve Plume, all rights reserved)

It was one of the family's first forays into the open spaces of an exciting, yet dangerous, world. After a few weeks in the undergrowth of a secret location in East Anglia, they came into the clearing.

Vixen and fox cubs. Photo: Steve Plume (Image: (C)2014 Steve Plume, all rights reserved)

Mum and two of her three cubs, who had started family life in the relative safety of the undergrowth, chose the moments after I had arrived to make a very welcome appearance.

It all began when an email arrived from a friend, telling me a red fox cub had appeared from the scrub at the top of their garden. So the very next day, armed with an assortment of fox-luring food, together with my hide, I set off.

This type of photography is quite difficult. Position the hide in the wrong place, or wrong way, and you may spook the subjects of your interest. Or the light may be against you.

After reconnaissance of the site I set up the hide with a view to it being in place several weeks – but very soon I heard the entrancing higher-pitched growl-cum-grumble of a young fox coming from a nearby thicket.

I believe foxes get a bad press and are hunted and victimised – our own dogs do more harm to humans than foxes ever could. What I didn't expect, so soon, was first one cub, and then two more appearing with the vixen alongside.

I got pictures of the mother with two of the cubs, my camera being in quiet mode – but soon she heard the noise and pinpointed my location. But she was alert and confident and didn't move, allowing the cubs to explore and then suckle, a fantastic first for me.

The next hour I spent watching, photographing and admiring these beautiful (and cute) subjects. The fun ended with a rather heavy shower of rain and the foxes all headed for cover – a truly magical experience.