On my way out of our driveway as I rounded a curve, I came upon Mama Deer and one of her twin fawns from this year. But do you think I could get my camera out fast enough to get a shot of them posing for me? Nope. Off they skittered into the heavy woods. So I continued on my way.
About two or three miles from home, out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving in the brush on the right hand side of the road. All of a sudden, there stood a big, beautiful, healthy-looking red fox. It's not uncommon to see foxes around here (preferably NOT near poultry yards), but usually we only get a glimpse of one dashing across the road . . . and then they're gone.
This guy wandered to the top of the gravel bank by the side of the road (as I did a U-turn while trying to watch him in my rear view mirror), and proceeded to snuggle down and make a little bed for himself in the sunshine.
I parked right across the road from him and started snapping pictures.
"You lookin' at me?"
"Oooo, I've got an itch!"
Then he settled in for a little grooming in the sunshine. He didn't seem the least bit phased by me and my camera.
"There's one flea here that's really bugging me . . . "Reluctantly, after a short while, I decided I had to get going on my way. I drove up to the farm, made my purchases, stopped to drop some books off at the library in town on my way back and then did a little shopping at our whole foods co-op.
When leaving town I wondered if he might just possibly still be where I had first seen him. So instead of taking the shortest route from town to home, I made a detour back up north of town to the road I had taken toward the farm.
Lo and behold, I'll be darned if he wasn't still there . . . and looked to be sound asleep in the sunshine.
Totally oblivious of anyone that might be going by on the road or noticing him. Talk about knowing how to enjoy life! And what a thrill for me to be able to capture him in pictures.
Nice shots. Usually fox are quite shy.....this one seems to LIKE being the center of attention!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! What a treat.
ReplyDeleteLucky pictures! Ugh, if I took pics here it would all be of dead skunks, raccoons & possums on the road, lol!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sue - Yup, this guy wasn't concerned about anything but enjoying himself in the sunshine. Shy, he was not!
ReplyDeleteMama JJ - It truly was a treat to be able to watch him for so long . . . I could have stayed for much longer. (Probably should have!)
Hi, Erin - Believe me, up here in deer country there are certain times of the year when deer kills along the side of the road are terrible carnage. So much better to see the wild animals hale and hardy. And you're right, I was in the right spot at the right time.
Wow! You got some fantastic shots! I ought to start carrying my camera in the car with me 9it tends to stay home because it's a DSLR) - maybe I'll get a shot of the wild turkey I always see by the side of the road!
ReplyDeleteHi, Alison! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it can be a pain (!), carrying your camera whenever you leave in the car does pay off! I'm not comfortable leaving it lying out on the seat, and in order to see to focus, I have to put on my glasse, too, so even though I have it with, I miss some shots by the time I'm "ready."
A shot of your wild turkey(s) would be great for those of us that never see any . . . go for it!
Oh that little fox is so pretty and those are great pictures Mama Pea!
ReplyDeleteI scared my backyard gray fox the other night when I was putting corn out for the deer. I've only seen it once in the daylight and didn't have my camera then. Their fur is so beautiful, I would love to touch it.
Hi, Ruthie - I was so wishing he would stand up so I could get a shot of him that way. I think he was the biggest fox I've ever seen. And sooo beautiful!
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