First, appreciate. Nature is so amazing and wondrous. I find it remarkably easy and peaceful getting lost gazing at nature. I have seen so many species of flora and fauna through a life of hiking, camping, landscaping, paddling on the water, and just sitting outside, but foxes are one of those pretty little creatures that I have only seen once, and at a great distance. Until now.
Suddenly, we have a new family of grey foxes growing up on our property; they are living under the front deck. I first saw the mother scouting around our front yard during the day, likely due to eviction, about 8 days ago. Once she built a new home, the family started reverting back to their more dawn & dusk nature. But these first few days have been fun watching the kits play in the front yard. I have seen four kits, but only briefly together. It is most likely that I see one romping and exploring alone - the adventurous one. I have seen (her?) climbing the front dogwood tree and learned that the grey fox is the only member of the dog family that can climb trees. They are omnivores, and their main predators here would be hawks, owls, and coyotes.
Friends warn that we will be attacked and/or get rabies etc., but this nature girl does not think like that. We do not have children or outside pets. We don’t run up to wild animals and try to pet them or feed them. We live pretty harmoniously with nature here – a mutual 'live and let live' lot. However, I am not afraid to call Tad (our wildlife relocation specialist) if ever the time comes necessary. For now, I have spread blood meal in the house-adjacent perennial beds in an effort to move their foraging and play habits down to the lower unseen side of the property.
And to my little foxy friends; I imagine you won't be here long, so Thank You for coming, resting, playing, and letting me see you live like this, so close. Godspeed.
Y
A new fox sighting today & noises under the front deck. This might be a June thing every year.
ReplyDelete