Friday, July 11, 2008

Surprise Sighting...



After doing my wren watch and seeing him (her) sit on everything in the garage, including this ice cube tray left on the freezer, ... I was then off and on my way home and taking a trip around the 'valley' to test my luck once again and see what I could see. I had already taken some shots of the buck in velvet and saw some bluebirds in their nesting boxes when two cars were right on my tail. and I pulled onto a road I usually don't take. Straight ahead I saw this Red Fox.


According to the PA Game commission Red and gray foxes are small, agile carnivores belonging to the same family (Canidae) as the dog, coyote and wolf. Both red and gray foxes are found throughout Pennsylvania. They are nocturnal and I personally had never seen one in the day until now.


Foxes are swift runners and can swim if they have to. This one looked
like he had wet legs and feet.



Foxes are "opportunists" when it comes to feeding. This means they will eat whatever is most easily obtained. This fox seemed young as he did not run from me but kept running up the road and along side.

The 'Kits' or "Pups' leave the den area in mid-July or August and may forage with their parents for another month until the family disbands. That fits the time schedule for this to be a 'pup'
Red foxes seem less bothered by people than grays and often inhabit heavily populated areas, although they are rarely seen due to their nocturnal habits. So I feel lucky to have seen this little guy.
He went to the other side of the road and then turned and looked right at me. I was shooting through the windshield, so the pictures aren't as sharp and clear as I would have liked.

He wasn't afraid at all and kept looking.... maybe he lost his mom!
Only a mom would say that !!

He then gave me one last long look and was gone into the bushes. I was so thankful to have seen this beautiful creature. What blessings come when you are looking!

To God Be The Glory ~ Great Things He Hath Done

4 comments:

The Birdlady said...

oh, good one! That was good luck for sure - Thanks for sharing.

Shelley said...

A rare sighting - glad you were able to capture the photos!

Marsha said...

That is a wonderful surprise sighting! We used to see the red fox all the time but when the coyotes moved into this area around 10 years ago the fox left.

I'm thankful that you shared these beautiful shots!

Bird Feeder Scott said...

What a great sighting! I was wondering whether bird girl was right -- certainly looks young.

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