Eyeball-to-eyeball: Amateur photographer Erik Tamis has captured this intimate picture of two foxes up closeAn amateur photographer has captured these intimate pictures of a family of wild foxes playfighting and hunting, after years gaining their trust.
They are so comfortable with Erik Tamis that he has been able to get close enough to photograph them as they work, rest and play.
The 47-year-old waits in dunes for up to 12 hours so he can capture their day-to-day activities.
Play fight: Two foxes wrestle together, allowing Erik to get close after he built up a level of trust with the animals. They are kept in an Amsterdam nature reserveSecurity guard Erik has photographed them fighting, playing, hunting and one time even managed to snap an image of a fox up a tree.
The foxes have become so relaxed around him that occasionally they will go up to him in order to steal his bag.
Spending time in close proximity to them, he has been able to establish the hierarchical structure. The family is made up of two parents and a son and daughter.
Erik, from Amsterdam, Holland, said: 'The foxes get so close to me it's just a matter of being in the right place and waiting for them to go hunting.
It's large fleshy pink tongue sticking out, this orange fox drinks from the water at the Amsterdam reserve. The family is made up of an adult and two children'I enjoy photographing them because although some people don't agree with me, they're a beautiful animal.
'Their behaviour is amazing. I had no idea foxes could climb trees and was stunned when I witnessed it happen.
Family squabble: Security guard Erik has photographed them fighting, playing and hunting
Smile... Erik built up trust the pack and sometimes sits waiting for them for up to 12 hours before he can take a picturesource: dailymail
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