Partner-In-Community Spotlight: Photographer Erik Brito
FoxTales Wildlife Rehab is so grateful for our partners-in-community. Erik Brito just recently connected with FoxTales and his efforts have already had a significant impact! Erik was spotlighted in the FoxTales January 2025 newsletter thanks to the photos he took when FoxTales released the mangy Fredericksburg foxes. The photo you see at the top of the Programs page is courtesy of Erik.
How did you hear about FoxTales Wildlife Rehab?
I first heard of FoxTales through a post that was shared by a friend on Facebook. The one where you caught a family of foxes in Fredericksburg, VA to treat their severe cases of mange.
What made you want to photograph the release of the Fredericksburg mangy foxes?
I am a big proponent of the respect, safety, and health of our wildlife, and documenting the releases is one of the ways I contribute to that cause. High quality release pictures help generate engagement, attention, and awareness on social media, especially if the story of the initial find has gained some popularity. Make no mistake though, FoxTales and the many other amazing wildlife rehabilitators are the real heroes here. You all do God's work, I'm just there to document the successes that were only made possible because of rehabilitators like you.
The photos on your Facebook and Instagram sites are extraordinary! When you look through that lens and try to capture wildlife engaging in natural behaviors, do you know right away when you "snap the shutter" that you just captured something amazing?
Thank you so very much. When it comes to photographing wildlife there are 2 main challenges: properly tracking the subject and getting the subject in focus. If I'm able to properly track the subject then the pictures will usually be in focus, but I'm not content until I review the picture up close and see that it’s in proper focus. Wildlife releases are very challenging to photograph, as the subjects are unpredictable, fast, and erratic. There's always a chance that I will walk away empty handed, but so far I've been lucky enough to deliver results for each one I've set out to document.
Is there one thing about wildlife that you wish the public would understand?
Quite simply, I wish people were more self aware. From rodenticides to glue traps, to discarded fishing line and hooks, to the effects of lead introduced into the ecosystem from hunting. I feel like there is a bit of a disconnect with people in regards to how their decisions and behavior can be of detriment to our natural world and the animals that live among us. Politely educating people while taking great care to not alienate them, seems to be the most effective way to spread awareness. I just wish there was a big switch I could flip that would instantly educate everyone and make them more aware.
