The Gray Fox Den

Photographing the gray fox pups is pretty much a hit or miss proposition.  The times that they decide to spend above ground seem not to have much rhyme or reason other than they do like to sleep late into the morning and become active as darkness arrives.  Since they are primarily a nocturnal creature its understandable that they would need a nap after being active throughout the night.  With that being said they do often appear toward noon, the time when the first four photos posted here were taken, and occasionally during the afternoon.  The remaining photos were taken when they became active after sundown.  While two pups are pictured in most of my captures, the litter consist of three.  

I hope you enjoy viewing these cute little canines as they go about their daily business.

Hay Making and a Wildlife Surprise

As the summer rolls along my summer's hay making is now in the past.  In years past our entire family pitched in to bale, haul, and store the square bales away in the barn.  With our small acreage not warranting the investment in round baling equipment, the cutting, raking, and baling are now accomplished through custom hire.  Below are a few scenes from this years haying.

The bonus came when the mower uncovered a den of gray foxes.  Knowing that they probably wouldn't stay long with their cover gone I worked aggressively, using the truck as a blind, to photograph the cute little canines.  The next post will be a selection of the better shots from the three photo sessions.