“Leap of Faith”
Park City, Utah

“Leap of Faith: The Story”

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." – Seneca

For several weeks, I spent my evenings observing a beautiful red fox hunting in a field along Old Ranch Road in Park City, Utah. My goal was to photograph her, but the sly fox always kept a safe distance, staying just beyond camera range. I suspected that she was likely feeding a den of hungry pups, as her hunting behavior was intense and purposeful. Every time I stopped my truck, she bolted, even when she was hundreds of yards away.

Even if I could get close enough, I knew it would be a challenge to capture the decisive moment—the one where I could frame her under beautiful light and in an unusual, compelling composition. This evening, however, turned out to be extraordinary. As the sun began to set, it bathed the scene in the warm, golden light of the golden hour, and the fox’s fur glowed with a stunning rim-lighting effect. Suddenly, without warning, the fox leapt high into the air and dove headfirst into the alfalfa, her head working frantically beneath the surface. When she emerged, two Pot Guts were in her mouth!

I knew she might cross McLeod Creek on her way back to her den. Without hesitating, I waded into the icy, knee-deep water of the spring runoff, hoping to catch her on the opposite bank. The latticework of vines against a barbed-wire fence concealed my presence, allowing me to remain hidden. As I quickly programmed my camera for a fast shutter speed, she suddenly raced towards me, seemingly unaware of my position.

At that very moment, she dove under the barbed-wire fence, just 50 yards away. In a dramatic Leap of Faith, she exploded off the riverbank. The shutter dropped at exactly the right moment, capturing her in mid-air, fully outstretched with water droplets glistening in the evening sun. It was a once-in-a-lifetime shot.