Bringing home breakfast

There are lots of hungry mouths to feed at the den this time of year. This red fox was racing along the road to get back to the kits. I watched him carry this squirrel over a mile and he was still heading toward the den when I turned around, not many convenience stores in this part of the world.

Sunday Brunch

Sometimes in the middle of nowhere (Hayden Valley in the winter) silence is the only accompaniment to nature's cycle of life. If only I could hear what the fox was listening to, surely more interesting than reading a restaurant menu.

Successful Hunt

With snow on the ground this morning I'm sharing a short video recorded earlier this month in Yellowstone. This fox spent several minutes hunting while we watched and captured both still and video images.

 

Ears

While watching this red fox hunt I couldn't help noticing how its ears moved as it cocked its head to locate an unlucky vole under the snow. Angela and I spent a very entertaining time watching this guy hunt in Hayden Valley last week. You can see a few of her shots at: angelainoregon

Fox Kits Playing

I watched this pair earlier in the week and couldn't wait to put it online. Background sounds were recorded at the time when the kits were inactive. The kits were comfortable with my presence as long as no sound or movement was made. 

Waiting

This is a rare quiet moment as the kits wait for their morning meal. The den site which is ideal for photography has been used regularly, but not necessarily yearly, for the last several years.  Most of the other dens are tucked away in dense cover and very difficult to photograph. I'm currently wading through about a hundred video clips reliving a memorable morning.

Alert Kits

I can't get enough of these guys! I spent 2 hours with them yesterday, mainly filming play. They were alert to the slightest sounds, usually inquisitive but also alert to the sound of danger.  The rustling of my cotton jacket perked there ears on more than one occasion. After saying a quiet thank you to them I let them to go back to their private lives. 

Fox Kits

I feel like I'm running too fast and not able to finish the story. I left the chickadees before they were able to fledge, I have watched a female crane twitch on her nest for untold hours. Today I spent the dry hours watching a couple fox kits. Mom came into feed them but noticed me and did not hang around after delivering the groceries. A good day.

Technical: still image from C100

Red Fox

I tried to be a camera minimalist last week and shot this with my iPhone. Apparently the locals feed cat food to foxes on the trail. Technical: iPhone image cropped vertical.