Tranquility ?

 

What could be more tranquil than a spring evening on a small rural Pennsylvania farm? 

 

I took this photo while making my evening rounds.  Dad loved his cattle and even though both of his hips and one knee had to be replaced over the past decade he still took care of the day to day chores tending to his herd of 25-35 cattle.  With his passing in February a decision had to be made as to the future of his herd. After discussing it with my brother, Willard of Pa Wildlife Photographer, and my wife I decided that I would continue the tradition with only minor downsizing of the herd to take place later this year.  The downsizing will be necessary to provide more land for increased wildlife food plots.  As for now the herd has been increasing with the spring calves still arriving periodically.   

 

As tranquil as the meadows seem one needs only to step to the edge to find some little predators just now beginning to explore their new world.  There is no doubt that they and their parents eliminate any chance for tranquility in the life of their prey living nearby. 

 

With each passing day the little foxes ventured farther and farther away from the den.

 

 

Checking out every nook and cranny

 

And engaging in playful roughhousing

 



 

This fox pup retreated to the one of the den entrances when I approached a little too close for comfort.  From the safety of the den the little fellow watched me intently and unmoving for better than five minutes before dropping below ground for good.

 

Since this series was photographed the fox pups have disappeared.  As they were regularly leaving the den for extended periods of time I don't know I am just missing seeing them or if they have moved to a new location.  This was my first time locating and being able to photograph an active fox den making it one of the high points of my spring.

Foxey Tails

After spotting the fox den in one of our hay meadows last Sunday morning and photographing them from long range in the afternoon I had no more sightings of the family.  Willard was able to video them from long range on Monday but the foxes failed to appear the remainder of the week.  Foxes are reportedly quick to move their family if they feel threatened and I was beginning to believe that this was the case.

 

With that in mind, yesterday morning with the intention of using my truck for a blind, I parked about one hundred yards from the den just as the day began to break.  As the sky lightened the spring bird chorus filled the air, Canada geese and whitetail deer arrived in the meadow to feed, but no sign of activity around the fox den could be seen.

 

As the sun began to touch the treetops on a distant hillside I spotted what I though was a squirrel race from the edge of the woods into a grassy opening and back again into the woods.  A few minutes later it happened again.  Since this didn't seem consistent with squirrel movement and what I was seeing was some 300-350 yards distant I trained the binoculars on the area to get a better view.  Imagine my surprise when in a moment I spotted a little fox pup racing into the meadow to join other pups already there! 

 

 

At that distance photography was out of the question so I knew I must move closer.  Hoping that the truck would be less alarming than a human form I drove from the hay field into the pasture that adjoined the woods where their new den is located.  From about 125 yards I was able to photograph the pups with one of the adults.  At that distance neither adult seemed to care about my truck as long as I stayed inside. 

 

 

After photographing from that position for 15 minutes or so I decided to make one more move in hopes of getting even better photographs and this time moved the truck within about 50-60 yards of the den.  This was too close for the adults as they slowly moved away into the woodlands and all but two of the pups went into the den.

 

However only a few minutes elapsed until another pup reappeared.

 

 

And soon others began surfacing as the pups resumed their rough-house playing oblivious to my presence.

 

Watching these little foxes play reminded me of how much animal babies are alike for their play was very similar to that of domestic pups and kittens.

Sadly I had very little time to spend with the pups until other obligations called me away.  When I hit the truck starter the pups disappeared into their burrow moving with near lightening speed.

 

As Winter Lingers On

Hunting Northern Harrier

 

While officially it is spring winter conditions with cold nights and occasionally snow continue.  A pair of Norther Harriers have been hunting the meadows surrounding my home the last few days.  This shot was taken from our home's rear deck.

Starlings

 

Large flocks of starlings are frequently seen now flying in unison from one feeding spot to another.  Here you can see the remnants of yesterday's snow storm lying on the distant mountain side.

Red Fox exhibiting symptoms of Sarcoptic Mange

 

Recently I have observed a red fox hunting in the meadow behind my home.  The fox seems to prefer hunting in the warm sunshine.  From the poor condition of the fox's coat I would expect that it is having problems staying warm.