I haven’t done a Fox Friday in a while so here you go. 😉

Taken back in May, this red fox den in the Colorado high country provided tons of entertainment, especially the kits. On this morning, the young ones were bundles of energy, running around chasing each other and play fighting.

With five of them, it was hard to keep up with the action and know which ones to follow. It won’t be long now and, with any luck, I will again be photographing fox dens with little ones. I can’t wait!

Now she was one foxy fox to say the least!

I spent a few days with her and the rest of her clan in Colorado’s high country this past spring. Foxes oftentimes setup their dens close to humans as their number one enemy, the coyote, tends to avoid us bipedal creatures.

This pretty lady did just that, picking a relatively public spot for the family home and in doing so, providing me with one heck of a nice photo opportunity. Still wearing her winter coat, she looked absolutely resplendent as she kept watch on her kits.

Here, a dog walking by got her attention and she was keen to ensure it didn’t get too close.

Going back to May for these two pics for Fox Friday. It was a very fun morning at this fox den with both parents and the five kits providing the entertainment.

Shooting pics at this den was always a bit of a challenge as you face east so I was always battling the sun. However, the backlighting didn’t dampen my enthusiasm of being able to spend hours with the family.

Here, two of the kits were hanging out together with the one on the ground doing its best to goad the other into playing. Each morning there would be a couple hours of fast and furious activity with the little ones playing under the watchful eyes of the parents. Then, once it got warmer, they would retire to the den for naps and avoid the heat of the day. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Such a serious fox and indeed, he had to be, as he was watching over his five kits in a somewhat public location. Here, he was on high alert as a person with a dog went by. We could tell him from his vixen by the “notch” in his right ear. It was likely a scar from a battle with some other creature in the past.

This is another pic of this fox dad and his rambunctious kit during one of their play sessions. The little one was putting up a good fight but as you can see, dad showed it who is boss.  😉

A way cool and cute pic for Father’s Day. Taken last month at this den in Colorado’s high country, there seemed to be a special bond between the male and this particular kit.

Every time the dad would come around, this kit would anxiously run out to greet him. The two would then have a fun bit of back and forth playing chase and nipping at each other. It was absolutely heartwarming to watch.

Happy Father’s Day to all my fellow dads, two and four-legged!

Whoohoo! Not only is it Friday, it is #FoxFriday, and I don’t know about you but I am ready for a break. #TGIF

This cutie is one of the four kits at the fox den I spent some time at last month. It was busy with its nose down to the ground exploring its little world, gradually getting closer to me.

I don’t think it entirely realized just how close it was getting as it suddenly looked up, gave me this quick look, then turned tail and ran back to the den. 😉

When someone with a dog walks nearby, all play stops at the fox den and focus turns to the canine.

I would imagine, for the foxes, they view domestic dogs as coyotes, their mortal enemy. So, when one is nearby, they keep close watch on the potential threat.

While they were quite safe, caution was advised and mom was ever-alert. Taking a cue from her, this kit helped guard the den – and looked dang cute in doing so. 😉

Have a fantastic #FoxFriday and weekend!