Foxes Farewell, June 24, 2009

Hi All,

A neighbor said he saw an adult fox, with four kits following behind, walking along the ranch road. I am nearly certain this little family is our family of foxes. Foxes use a wide territory and mark it very carefully. The road is well within the range of the male fox. I have seen him crossing this road on his way into the pastures up the hill. He seems to do so quickly and is alert when a car comes along. The last time I saw the little foxes, they had already picked up some of dad's survival skills. Their brains must be like little sponges right now, soaking up everything they can about hunting and basic survival. I hope they can navigate roads and traffic fairly well by now. The highway is a different story. I think it is a rare animal that figures out speeding cars and bright lights at night.

The foxes are definitely gone from the den. There is still a hollow feeling to the garden even though they have been gone for some days. I still run to the window every time I hear a sound. My source says that gray foxes are clannish, and even when the young do leave the parents in the late fall, they associate with each other on a limited basis. This species can live in the wild for 4 to 8 years, so I hope they have long, healthy lives. Below are some photos, more like formal portraits, taken last year by my wildlife photographer friend, Ron LeValley, just before those little foxes left the den. These show what our foxes look like today. (To see more of Ron LeValley's fabulous work and to sign up for a photo of the day emailed to you, go to http://www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery/omw.php and www.levalleyphoto.com/gallery

In any case, I wish the little foxes well: stay away from roads, don't get caught in headlights, never go near dogs, watch out for great horned owls, avoid humans, and don't eat anybody's chickens.

Love, Erica

Climbing Gray Foxes, June 16, 2009

All was very quiet last night and this morning. No sign of foxes. However, I did see the two families of Canada geese on the mudflat this morning. The ten goslings are nearly as big as their parents and have almost all of their distinctive markings. They probably won't fly until they are full grown, however. Flight uses a lot of energy and cannot compete with the energy it takes to grow a bird. There probably are birds that fly before becoming fully-grown, but I cannot think of any right off. Oh, young quail do. Chickens, too.

In any case, here are some photos of last-year's foxes to show what we are all missing with the more nocturnal family habits. Gray foxes are great climbers, with front claws slightly resembling those of a cat. Once one fox discovered this old ladder leaning against my eave, they all scrambled up to the roof. I heard them thumping around and explored for some time. These little guys will learn to climb trees and will be able to leap from limb to limb, then run headfirst back down the trunk.

Erica

Foxes More Alert, June 12, 2009

Hi All,

Well, just as I finished up my last email to you, I heard a scrambling and looked out the window directly behind me. Here is what I saw on the landing to the shed. The little guys are becoming more alert to their surroundings. Notice how the fox in the center caught my movement and is staring into the window. The male does this quite frequently, but this is a first for a kit.

Erica

Fox Brings Food, June 12, 2009

Yesterday I had to weed-whack. I just had to. The oat grasses along the path to my cabin reached the top of my head, and some of you know how tall that is! On dewy mornings I had to don rubber boots, rain jacket, and pants to avoid getting sopping wet just walking up the trail to my car.

I was reluctant to weed-eat, though. Arranging long cords and running the loud electric tool would no doubt disturb the foxes. That is why I had been putting it off, I convinced myself. I did not want the dad to decide to move everybody to another, quieter den.

Anyway, we all survived the noise and, as I type, the little ones are thumbing around beneath the floorboards at my feet.

Early this morning, really before light, I saw the male carry a small animal to the den. I wonder if foxes often take their catch back to the den to eat, or if they only do so when kits are waiting there? Shortly after his return from hunting, I received the usual growl and bark treatment so I ducked back inside.

Now, most fox activity, since mom was killed, occurs at times too dark to photograph. Therefore, I include two images from last year so you can get an idea of the kits' sizes. That mother, like this year's, seemed to enjoy the sunny yard and spent every morning there with the pups. Fortunately for me, and my photo documentation, they both used the spot just below my kitchen window. I know this year's mom was not the same as last, even though their habit was similar. Last year's female had a black dot on one side of her face. One of her kits did, too.

In the Tussle with Tail photo, notice how the mom's ears are somewhat laid back. She looks like she is barely tolerating her tail being pulled and bitten.

Erica