One fine spring morning, I was out for a walk near my home, looking for wildlife. As golden hour painted the landscape, I noticed a red fox out in a meadow hunting. I decided to put off my walk to observe this fox for as long as possible. Always keeping a big distance, of course. I didn't want to impact what he was doing.
I was able to watch him for about an hour before losing sight of him in the thick brush that bordered a huge ponderosa forest. But I decided I would try my luck again the following morning.
The next day, I woke up before the sun came out and got to the meadow much earlier than the previous morning. I sat down on a small patch of grass and began scanning the scene in front of me for that beautiful red fox. And within 20 minutes, there he was! With a mouthful of food no less!
He trotted up a hill and I could hear him making a very low-frequency noise. And then suddenly... baby foxes (fox kits) began popping out of a hole in the ground I hadn't even noticed!
This Red fox is hunting in a meadow during golden hour
This was the start of one of the best springs/summers of my life. Because of the next four months, I was able to observe this fox den at least a couple of times per week. I was able to watch these kits grow from teeny tiny, clumsy little floofs to grown foxes. I was able to see how loving the family structures of the red fox are. How caring and gentle each parent is with their babies.
These photos are a small selection of what I captured from that time. And let me tell ya- it was hard to choose so few! These glorious animals taught me so much in our short window of time together. I learned about red fox behavior, about myself, and about what I value most.
Looks like he found breakfast
A simple portrait. Isn't he gorgeous?
Nature is amazing. And whether you live in a big city or very rural, there is nature to be found and treasured.
To wrap up this little piece of writing, I would like to mention a couple of things. It’s important when observing wildlife to give them plenty of space and never feed them. This ensures the animals stay wild and healthy. If you notice baby animals or a nesting site, that is precious information and for the safety of the animals, do not disclose the exact location to the public. Too many humans observing, interfering, or just being there could make the adult animals decide they need to immediately leave that area for good- possibly abandoning the babies. So enjoy wildlife from a distance! It’s as fun as getting close- I promise!
A mouthful of breakfast for the kits
This was captured on the morning I first saw the kits
Papa fox giving one of his kits a little tickle. Playtime and grooming time are really important for red fox bonding
Baby following in papa fox's steps
It turned to playtime before too long
This kit seemed really happy for this moment of attention
A sunrise kiss! This was one of my favorite moments. What a pretty morning
A kit observes her siblings playing with papa fox, before deciding to join in
As the kits got older, the play got more aggressive and full of expression
Helping papa fox keep watch in the morning
Checking that mouth for extra food
Before too long, the kits grew old enough to venture out on their own. This was captured on one of my last mornings observing them
