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Zen Foxes: A photographer is capturing nature's 'masters of mindfulness'

'They smell the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun on their fur, close their eyes and then it’s a matter of just being there'

Christopher Hooton
Friday 11 September 2015 11:37 EDT
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(Roeselien Raimond)

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“The most beautiful animals are happy animals,” says Roeselien Raimond, a Dutch nature photographer who specialises in capturing foxes at rest.

“I love them best when they’re totally at ease: free from pain, fear, cold, hunger or any other discomfort.

“Foxes master this comfortable state of being like no other,” she told Bored Panda of her 'Zen Foxes' project. “Foxes can be fully ‘in the moment’, as if they invented mindfulness themselves. No need for yoga classes or meditation courses, since relaxing is their second nature.

(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)

“They smell the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun on their fur, close their eyes and then it’s a matter of just being there. Simple as that.”

The fox’s approach to life, as Raimond sees it, has influenced how she acts herself when on a shoot.

“If you are too eager, an animal will sense that eagerness and will remain alert. They know you want something from them, which makes you a potential danger,” she said.

(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)
(Roeselien Raimond)

“But if you manage to take things as they come, by just enjoying the beautiful nature around you, who know what might happen.

“I learned to do as foxes do…just being there and see what might happen…and if nothing happens? Well at least you had a good day - I just enjoy smelling some fresh air and feeling the sun on my skin.”

Raimond also takes stunning photos of insects, birds, reptiles and other animals, you can see more of her work on her website and Facebook.

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