Red Fox Kit - They Grow Up So Fast

Red Fox

At Evergreen we always have a few weeks of bad weather during the transition between winter and spring. It's usually cold, very windy and includes a wet rain/snow mix. It can turn the spring sports practices into a miserable experience. That's how it was a couple of years ago when my son played baseball in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

After dropping him off, we'd wander along the banks of Clear Creek and scramble across the smooth boulders strewn throughout the canyon. We met the little fox pictured above during one of our baseball-practice-time-kiling-excursions. The den we discovered was a network of cracks, crevices, holes and tunnels located within a jumble of gray rocks.

There were three kits, each with a different personality. One was cautious and shy, one was serious and aloof and the other was curious and rowdy. We spent many cool, damp hours observing them at rest and at play. After a while, they seemed to accept our presence so I was able to get lots of good photos. Watching them was a learning experience. They made us think and laugh but most of all, they made the time fly by.

I began looking forward to going to practice and the weekly nature moments with our furry friends. Before I knew it, the season was over and I greatly missed our evening hikes down to the fox den. I've never made it back to that spot since but I've always wondered what happened to those little guys. They grow up so fast.

Comments

  1. John WiswellApril 20, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    For how many years has the den been active? Perhaps they'll be back!

    John at The Bathroom Monologues

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 20, 2013 at 5:47 PM

      I'm not sure but I know they'll come back to the same den year after year. We might have to go back to that site this spring and see if there's any activity.

      Delete
  2. JoJoApril 20, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    I love Foxes, they are so cute. Don't think I've ever seen a live one though, outside of a wildlife park.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 20, 2013 at 5:58 PM

      We see them a lot around here. They are used to people and are very curious so I've been able to get some good photos. The young kits are especially fun to watch because they are so playful.

      Delete
  3. UnknownApril 20, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    You are so fortunate to be able to witness nature in the wild like that.
    Just stopped by from A to Z . Great site.

    Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 20, 2013 at 6:00 PM

      Thanks, I've always loved wildlife so I'm lucky to live in a place that allows me the opportunity to observe lots of different birds and animals.

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 20, 2013 at 11:36 PM

    How lovely that you were able to observe them and get to know them! Foxes are cute, but around here we have to be careful they don't get our chickens!

    Rinelle Grey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 21, 2013 at 10:08 PM

      I'll bet you have to watch out for them a little bit. They're very smart so they usually figure out a way to get into the hen house

      Delete
  5. Jean Katherine BaldridgeApril 22, 2013 at 8:43 AM

    what a beautiful little fox!

    jean :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 24, 2013 at 9:44 AM

      Thanks Jean, It's one of my favorite photos. Kind of a lucky shot.

      Delete
  6. judi April 23, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Awesome post - photo is adorable, I just want to pick it up and pet it and play with it - but getting so close, don't the parents have a problem with that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 24, 2013 at 9:50 AM

      The mother came around once in a while and she was definitely more cautious but they seemed to be fairly tolerant of our presence. We always stopped by while my oldest son was at baseball practice.

      Delete
  7. Ida ThoughtMay 9, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    Wow Dan what a great story. I have seen foxes in suburbia a few times and a very close accidental encounter just once, I couldn't tell you who was more afraid, but we spent a good amount of time just lookng at each other. This photo is adorable, I imagine you have some other great ones too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerMay 10, 2013 at 8:33 PM

      We see them a lot here and they seem unafraid of humans but you don't want to get too close. The kits are fun to watch because they are so full of personality. It's one of my favorite photos.

      Delete

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