Friends in West Newbury helped me locate two red fox dens. One has four kits, the other five. All of the foxes look healthy with beautiful coats. And fox kits are just darned cute.
I’ll be giving my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon, twice in the near future. The first will be at the Lyme, NH, School at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th. The second presentation will be at the Tenney Memorial Library in Newbury, VT, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday June 23.
I’ll have another post with updates on the loons and their neighbors shortly. The Westons are sitting on their nest, we know they have at least one egg. The Middletons are building their nest, should lay their eggs any day now. The road to the Eastons has been repaired, I’ll get up to visit them as soon as I can.
Finding a fox den is a treat. But it means long hours in a blind waiting for the action. When I found the first den, I set up a blind and several game cameras to let me know what was up. The first morning it wasn’t raining, I snuck into the blind before dawn. And waited. Eventually, the kits appeared.
This cute little guy came out to enjoy a snooze in the sunshine.
Eventually, the siblings came out and spent time exploring around the den. And biting each other’s tails. After a time, mom showed up and the kits eagerly nursed. Mom has the patience of a saint, the kits were squirming and kicking, trying to displace the others.
A good look at mom with one of her kits. Pretty sure she’s spotted me. The second den is in a cow pasture. It looks like mom took over a woodchuck hole and enlarged it. Here two kits sit not far from the entrance to the den.
Kits spend a lot of time playing. The play helps them develop skills they’ll need as adults. They spend time stalking each other and pouncing. They’ll often wrestle. good practice for subduing prey and defending themselves. And it is just fun to watch. With five kits in the tall grass, it was hard to keep up with what was going on. They’d appear from behind the grass at a dead run, then disappear. While they were wrestling, I’d often get a view of just a paw or maybe some ears above the grass before they’d disappear again. Lots of teeth and play biting, but no one gets hurt.
Looks like we have a winner for this round.
When they’re not sleeping or playing, they spend time watching the world, learning what is a threat and what could be the next meal.
Foxes have to be wary of threats from above. These kits are getting big enough that they’re probably safe from hawks and eagles. But nature doesn’t favor those that take chances. And, a bird landing nearby would make a nice meal. One of the entrances to the den is near the base of this post. Exploring the bush near the den.
Chomping the bush…
A cute moment as two kits size each other up.
Here’s one kit stalking another…And the fight is on!
A good view of two of the kits wrestling.
Got your nose!
Check back soon for an update on the loons. Or you can sign up below to get an email when I add a new post. If you know someone who loves wildlife, please share the post with them.
These fox photos are such a treat! Thank you for your patience in setting up a blind and waiting for the foxes. And thank you for your generosity in sharing with us.
“nature doesn’t favor those who take chances”. Sometimes I want to teach my grandkids that. But then they wouldn’t be who they are. I had a red fox drift by once and treasure the memory. Thanks for more.
MARVELOUS!!!!
Thank you. Red foxes are my favorite animal since childhood, when I used to sit on a tree limb and have one come up and we “talked”, time after time, week after week. It was an experience I still treasure.
Great images.
So fortunate to be invited into the happenings of this Red Fox family.
Cheers, Roy Pilcher
Ian,
These are incredibly great photos and expiration. Thank you very much for making them accessible. Todd
Of course I meant explication.
You are a serious artist. Todd
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them.
These fox photos are such a treat! Thank you for your patience in setting up a blind and waiting for the foxes. And thank you for your generosity in sharing with us.
“nature doesn’t favor those who take chances”. Sometimes I want to teach my grandkids that. But then they wouldn’t be who they are. I had a red fox drift by once and treasure the memory. Thanks for more.
Wonderful! Love your Fox and loon stories and photos!
Thanks!
Such great pictures?
Thanks!
Thank you Ian for all your beautiful pictures!
Glad you enjoy them!
Beautiful photos of the young red foxes. Foxes are not often seen unless you plan ahead and spend time waiting for them. Thank you for your patience.
Thanks!
MARVELOUS!!!!
Thank you. Red foxes are my favorite animal since childhood, when I used to sit on a tree limb and have one come up and we “talked”, time after time, week after week. It was an experience I still treasure.
Thanks! Always a treat when you get to watch one.