NATURE: Fox

Today I spent roughly 6 hours watch or waiting to watch the Fox Family (2.5 - 3 hrs this morning and 3+ hours tonight). They are awesome.

I thought it was a mom and 3 kits until about the 5 hour mark when another adult trotted in with a bird in its jaws. Tonight on Encarta, I learned that "Red foxes are believed to pair for life" (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565627/Fox_(animal).html). The kits are maybe two-thirds the size of the parents. I'm surprised they aren't hunting yet.

Then suddenly a blue Dodge Neon pulled into the field. First one adult fox ran off, and then the other. The three kiddos dove into the den (4 large holes that I presume meet in one crazy living room). My magic hour was wasted after the long day of waiting. Those last 45 minutes of golden light were for nought; the adults never came back, so the kits didn't come back out. Thank you Dodge Neon people.

But I am fortunate to have spent the day with them (well, half the day was just sitting in nature waiting for the mom to come back from hunting). I am thankful for that. I am thankful.

I'll try to take more pictures in the morning, and then that will probably be the end of the shooting for awhile.

I was close enough that they would stop jumping around every time the shutter clicked. One time the mom (presumably) stared at me, dropped down over the ledge, and showed up just on the other side of an irrigation ditch from me. She stared at me (presumably) trying to figure out if I was a threat or not, but then she ran back to the kits for more romping (presumably with some reassuring yelps).

The family was startled when I got to the end of my first roll. The Canon I'm borrowing has a pretty loud rewind. But they weren't interested for long. Even with a 210mm zoom, the pictures will be pretty small. It's hard to get close to critters. I'm maybe 20 yards away. I really don't know. What I wouldn't do for a 300mm zoom. Well, get a job and make some money is one thing I wouldn't do. Hyeah.

If any pictures turn out, I'll try post them tomorrow.