Welcome to the new month of May. We certainly were living the old rhyme about April showers bringing forth May flowers. The last 3 days were rain & mist, current forecast is for rain on/off for the first 3 days of May. No matter it makes everything so green with promise.
Last week, for me, was all about having the opportunity to observe the five Fox babies up close, but still not interacting with them. They are growing so quickly. I've learnt a lot about Foxes over the last week. Foxes mate for life & often if a spouse is killed, they never re-mate. The average litter of kits is 4-5 & they will nurse for only about 4-5 weeks. They will stay with their family unit until the Autumn. During the spring season of babies, Mother Foxes will often make use of Aunties in the pack. A non breeding female Fox will often help out with the babies. While Foxes typically hunt alone, it is in the next few weeks that Mother & Father Fox will take the babies out hunting. This is the most dangerous time for the young Fox kits, as there are the larger predator of coyotes also raising a hungry family of pups.
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| Mom Fox Returning From The Woods |
It was difficult to capture with a photo all 5 playing, I got a few photos of two or three playing, but they are SO quick.
I am quite smitten with Foxes.
I would also be smitten. Like you we have abundant rain. Not long ago there was a fire ban, but not now. Of course, starting fires in the rain would present its own problems. 😎
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of backyard fire pits which I know I'm in a lonely camp of few, but I do watch with a lot of head shaking when I see the people next door trying to start their damp wood by pouring gasoline on the wood, hoping that will solve the wet wood problem ... I'll say no more. I cannot get enough of Fox kit watching.
DeleteThose babies are just too cute!
ReplyDeleteI will get to spend more time Fox watching later this week as I'll be house/cat sitting for 3 days - I cannot wait.
DeleteUrban foxes in London are a nuisance and drive Tilly up the wall with their screeching and using our garden as a short-cut. Mama Fox and two cubs on top of our shed recently were very cute (just don't tell Tilly I said that!)
ReplyDeleteThe only folks within the village that don't enjoy the Foxes are those who have secret chickens - we aren't allowed in the village ... but just outside of the village, up the road is a commercial chicken farm, so hence why we don't have foxes close to us, and now that chickens can be outside again, Foxes are really not welcomed. I guess your Foxes to Tilly are like squirrels to my kitty girls :)
DeleteOh, those baby foxes are so cute!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a wet morning, here, as well, with more rain in the forecast for the first week in May!
We had freezing ice pellets with the rain this afternoon :( A few of the plants (annuals) that I started had to be brought in because it is going to get too cold over night for them to be out, but hopefully this week sees a turning of the weather to more enjoyable spring weather.
DeleteAwww they are so cute. How lovely to watch them close up. We sometimes have a fox in our garden at night but have only ever seen it on our wildlife night camera.
ReplyDeleteMy friend where the Foxes den, has decided it is time for them to go, she'll be making much more noise when she's in her garden to encourage them to move on. Luckily they have the woods just over the fence to move to.
DeleteSo adorable! Many years ago we had a litter of foxes at a local nature center out in their meadow area, and we were thrilled to be able to watch them. Fun :) I hope these all make it.
ReplyDeleteThere is a definite smaller one in the litter, I am SO tempted to take food to them, but I know that it is wrong to have them become reliant on human intervention because not all would be as kind as some. My hope is that they stay cautious of humans, find lots of resources for their needs, in the woods.
DeleteThose foxes are adorable--your photos are wonderful! Lots of rain here, too. I think when it finally warms up the plants will be ready to "pop." I can tolerate all the cloudy days now because everything is green. What a difference it makes!
ReplyDeleteI think our gardens are about 2 weeks behind yours, but in the moments of let up in the rain, I'm out checking on plant progress. I think I've lost a pink delphinium that I planted last year, but maybe with all the rain, there will be a spurt of growth! I like the early spring green fuzz on the trees.
DeleteGosh. This is really fun. Good research!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn. I have been enjoying finding out more about the Foxes, our local Natural Resource Centre has been most helpful & they are often in the village giving talks about how to co-exist with the wildlife.
DeleteUrban foxes around here are regarded as a menace and are responsible for all sorts. However I too would find it hard to resist those adorable cubs too. I love that third photo!
ReplyDeleteThanks, the 3rd photo is a favourite of mine along with Wisdom Wednesday's photo. Foxes are considered a pest & menace to the local chicken farmers & now that the chickens can be out of doors again (Avian flu restrictions lifted), the foxes are making themselves known again. I follow a writer, Susanne in London England & she has Foxes & kits every year. On her Insta account she posts some of the most amazing close up photos. She feeds them, which I think is a no no.
DeleteSome years ago we had a young family of foxes at my office. The landlord was set to destroy the den but my boss made him promise not to until the cubs were independent. It is a fine balance. It's common to see them in gardens and on the streets, and they do create problems but really it's the way we live that has made them come into towns. They have adapted very well. Most of the adults I see look mangy but the neighbour of a friend of mine puts jam sandwiches out for them, which is mad! If I had a family in my garden I would definitely be photographing them tho. I like your foxes' black socks. Ours don't wear socks!
DeleteI'm totally smitten too ♥
ReplyDeleteI want one! But I know wild creatures, need to be wild. I found a YouTube series of a domestic fox; in the wilds a fox is expected to live 3-5 years but this tame fox could live until he is about 30 years old!
DeleteI'd be smitten too.
ReplyDeleteThey are growing up so fast. Watching them develop into snarly teenagers especially when Mom or Dad bring home a meal has definitely taken the baby shine off.
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