We had a young visitor recently. First she stood at the top of my rock garden to look in the dining room window. I thought she'd spook when I went onto the deck, but she approached, watching me carefully, keeping her eyes slightly averted. I think she's newly on her own, possibly born just this spring. She showed no fear and seemed to think maybe I had a handout for her. That tells me someone in the neighborhood must be feeding her. Maybe her mother was also fed and taught the kits that people are a good source of food. I hope she also knows how to hunt for her dinner. It's illegal to feed wild animals - yes, they're cute, but they're WILD. That is part of their beauty and charm. People should respect their wildness, not try to tame them. I've known several instances when people feed and then go on a trip or even move away. The foxes who depend on them suddenly need to fend for themselves. It's sad if they haven't learned how. We usually clap to discourage the foxes from coming too close to the house. I don't want a grandchild having a snack outside being approached by a hungry fox accustomed to being hand-fed.
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| I desaturated this photo before painting some color back onto the fox's body. |
She was a beauty, and I was reluctant to frighten her. Tiny and perfect, she waited patiently for me to produce something yummy. I finally said goodbye and came back inside. She ambled away, still on the lookout for dinner.
Awww, sad but necessary. What a beauty!
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful. It would be tempting to feed her, but I totally agree with her. She is a wild animal and must learn to live as such.
ReplyDeleteI've been on vacation and am just catching up with my blogs. I've missed seeing your news and beautiful photos.
I see signs all over the parks not to feed animals. Yes, they have to fend on their own in the wild.
ReplyDeletei worry she might have rabies! be careful, please!
ReplyDeleteOh! What a cutie. Hope she can find food for herself.
ReplyDeleteIsnt it scary to confront a Fox right on the window of your home?
Have a wonderful day Barb:)
Such a beauty! But you're right about not helping them by taming them.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. These animals are not to be tammed like a cat or a dog. And you are so right, it would frighten me to think that if a grandie were having lunch...they might even attack to take it away if hungry enough. Scary. I know my son has had problems with fox taking their chickens, eggs and bunnies...he has had to secure secure secure after much loss. Beautiful as they are...they are our natural wildlife!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you would be worried. One of my friends puts her cat's dish in the breeze way between garage and house. Often some wild thing has finished off the food during the night. I don't say anything, but do not agree with it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that this is probably a young fox. The ones around here are very leary of people.
Did you get your snow today?
and he wears nice black shoes.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
She really is a beauty. You are lucky to get to see her but I agree with you about feeding wild animals... Not a good idea for anyone, the animals or people.
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos! But, sad that this little one probably has been fed. It's worrisome, I agree. I even think about it sometimes when I fill the bird feeders. I don't think it's good for them to be too dependent. But, in winter I always keep them full.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have the wild visitors, but so right to respect their wild lives and not accustom them to humans.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. She does appear to be quite tame. Many foxes here are sick with sarcoptic mange, which makes them look for warm places to maintain their body temperature. If she has a light case, she will survive. Those who are really sick have fur loss and a crust of parasite wastage on their skin. EW!
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful - and I agree that people should respect the wildness! I hope she does OK on her own.
ReplyDeleteGeoff and Lisa have a den of foxes in the vacant (so far) lot next door to their Longmont home...the four of us all love to watch them (we're very easy to entertain)....but I have never been able to get a picture -- they're just out of range.
She is beautiful and you got fantastic photos of her. :)
ReplyDeleteShe is gorgeous! I so agree on feeding the wild animals. Not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteWonderful catching up with you.
Are the Aspens amazing this year?
I love October!
Sherry
She is beautiful. Here's hoping she figures out how to care for herself before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful and it would be so difficult not to give her food if she was asking but you are quite right and for her own long term good it is better that you dont. Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteShe is a little beauty and she looks like she has a healthy coat. Hopefully she knows how to find food for herself. I would be inclined to leave her a small tidbit far from the house.. just enough to keep her from starving if she hasn't learned her life skills but not enough to keep her from learning. And not anywhere near home so that she can make the association. That's me though.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it was illegal to feed to wild animals. Although we do throw out vegetable scraps under our oak tree and the deer do eat them. What a lovely gift to see this little fox. And that she was so tame. An autumn gift for you!
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful and I'm sure you are right not to feed her.
ReplyDeleteI will enjoy visiting your blog to see all the touches of nature.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow that's amazing. I see foxes darting into the woods every now and then but never like this!
ReplyDeleteYou did the right thing and thank you for writing about it and sharing the photos of the beautiful wild fox.
ReplyDelete