Fun with Foxes

Too Cute, originally uploaded by Jen Joynt.

What a lucky Spring I have had with gray foxes! I have seen foxes quite a few times before, but mostly at night while driving and a couple of times when one has run out in front of me while I was running on a trail. And even once while looking for Great Horned Owls in Tilden, I saw a gray fox run up a trail. But I have never had the opportunity to photograph one, until I saw one while watching a Northern Spotted Owl (see my previous post from June).

Then I saw that same fox (I assume) two more times, once curled up on the trail. Even luckier for me was finding this fox family in Tilden in Berkeley. Here 5 foxes(!) are curled up together, watching an unaware hiker approach.


The fox kit at the top was briefly curious about me and approached quite close before disappearing into the bushes. The kit was quite small, about the size of my small cat.


This little guy seemed to want to enjoy a nice, warm rest on the rock wall. I was wandering around wondering where the two little fox kits I had seen were hiding when I surprised the fox and myself.


I had the pleasure of watching these two foxes play in the grass, ripping pieces of the grass and rolling around with each other a little bit.


I found it hard to tear myself away from these foxes. But eventually, it seemed time to let them rest in peace.


This was definitely one of those days where I felt so lucky to share some time and space with wild animals. What a thrill! It still makes me smile.