While this vixen was entirely focused on the humans walking by, its kit was more interested in a morning meal. Fox kits will do this, sniffing at a parent’s mouth, using their sense of smell to determine if the parent has a meal. In this case, mom had yet to venture out and hunt so the kit was left to wait for a little while longer.
Red fox watches for its prey
This is the third picture I have shared of this gorgeous fox from my encounter with it in Gunnison National Forest last month. Believe me, I have so many more I could share too!
Given the remote location, this fox was unusually brave, not minding my son and I as we watched and photographed it. This was taken not long after my son initially spotted it. I had grabbed my camera and rushed out of the RV.
It just sat there, watching a nearby area where the chipmunks and squirrels were quite active. In doing so, it gave me this fantastic pose. Encounters like that are so rare and something I am certainly thankful for.
Red fox hunts for its dinner
Looks at that focus! Foxes are well-known for their hunting prowess and this one was showing just how it is done. Crouched down, moving slowly and each step purposefully placed to minimize noise as it hunts its prey. Awesome!
This is the same fox that I shared for last week’s Fox Friday, taken after that image, once we were done with its portrait session. It then moved on, deciding it was ready to eat. As my steaks on the grill were already overcooked, I too needed to feed myself so I left the fox to pursue dinner and I am sure it was successful.
The sly eyes of a fox in the forest
“Dad, there’s a fox out there!” We just returned from camping in Gunnison National Forest and a most magical encounter with this foxy one.
With steak on the grill, we were prepping the rest of dinner in the RV when my son spotted the sly one. Needless to say, that took priority over food! I ran out with my camera and the fox was just sitting there watching us.
After I got a few initial pics it lazily walked off out of view. I, of course, followed and at first was concerned I had lost it when I looked low beneath a pine tree and see those gorgeous eyes staring back at me. This was the immediate capture I got and I have to say, I really like it.
For another 10 minutes the fox posed for me, seemingly as curious about me as I was about it. Eventually it stealthily headed off, staying low to the ground and clearly on the hunt for dinner. As my dinner was by now overdone (well done steak was not the plan – but worth it), I decided it was time for both of us to eat and I left it to carry on.
Fox kit lounges around with mom
What better way to spend a Saturday morning than lying around with your mom, enjoying some quiet time? Of course with fox kits, quiet time doesn’t usually last long which is probably why the vixens always seem kind of stressed out – much like their human counterparts. Ha! After a round of rambunctious play with its siblings, this kit curled up next to mama for a bit of a break. A nice, fleeting moment of calm.
Red fox kit in hot pursuit of a sibling
They might be little but they can run like nobody’s business. The three kits that made an appearance on this morning were quite full of it, spending a lot of time playing, chasing and antagonizing each other.
This play, of course, serves a purpose as it is training them for when they start hunting on their own. While these guys were young, they were incredibly agile (and of course cute).
Have a fantastic Fox Friday!
Red fox vixen provides a much-needed meal to her kits
Another couple captures of this pretty lady and her fox kits for Mother’s Day.
They are definitely getting to the age where she isn’t going to allow this for long. For the time being, she took the role of a providing mother in fine fashion, standing until all three had their fill. Once they did, they were back to raising a ruckus and wearing the poor lady out. 😉
No finer way to spend a morning than with Mom
These fox kits have the right idea in this very fitting image for Mother’s Day.
Whether in the animal kingdom or among us humans, moms are absolutely crucial to their children. They are the glue that holds the family together, a loving and generous provider and protector.
It was good timing that I got to photograph this family recently and witness how this beautiful vixen interacted with her young. She brought them food, played with them and provided some nice, quiet moments like this when two of the kits came to snuggle up to her.
We wish her and all other mom’s out there a very happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for all you do!
Red fox kit looks to the heavens
I gave a sneak peek earlier this week of my visit with this fox family and have to say, this is probably one of my favorites of the hundreds of pics I took.
This little cutie took a break from the rowdy play session it and its siblings were having, sitting off to the side and just relaxing a bit. As a plane flew over, it turned its gaze skyward, seeming quite contemplative it its look. I dunno. Just something about the image that I like a lot.
Have a fantastic Fox Friday and weekend, everyone!
Sneak attack!
Oh my goodness! Check out these two cuties! I decided I couldn’t wait until Fox Friday to share at least one image from my photo session yesterday with this family.
I learned about this den last year but never went to it as I had closer alternatives. This year, as I have struggled to find any dens, I decided it was worth the drive.
As many as 11 kits have been seen in this spot although I only saw three plus mama and a nanny. That was okay though as they put on quite a show with the kits playing being the highlight.
Here, one kit was gnawing on what appeared to be a rabbit’s foot, oblivious to the danger behind it. The second kit very stealthily approached and pounced on the other’s back, setting off a big chase. So much fun to watch and so stinking cute!