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Submitted photos: red fox, her pups and a doe

By JIM NIGRO

Batavian Jeff Gillard paid me a visit a week ago, telling me about a red fox den nearby his home. Hoping to get photos of kits Jeff had been seeing, that same evening Claudia and I set up in said location during the last hour of daylight as Jeff had suggested but saw only one of the adults.

The next evening proved futile as nothing entered the meadow. Jeff then came to the rescue, providing the photos seen here. Above is one of the adults with a kit at her side while far to the right and somewhat difficult to see is another one of her young.

One of the adults appears to be investigating a kill.  

A quick scan of its surroundings prior to digging in.

Time to chow down.

Despite the undergrowth, Jeff caught one of the young near the den entrance.

It pauses to scratch an itch...

...before moving onward.

Whitetail doe still in her winter coat.

It won't be too long before they'll be sporting their "summer reds." Good job, Jeff, and thanks very much for sharing these photos with us!

Doug Yeomans

Very cool, Jim. I had a den of fox next to the house last year but they were all sickly looking. This year there are none to be seen. The rabbit population around the house has exploded, though! I love it when the deer go all orange with their new coats in the spring time.

May 7, 2012, 10:38am Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Thanks, Doug. I've been seeing more rabbits lately, or so it seems. Maybe we're in an up cycle. I've also heard reports of a number of fox dens - all on the outskirts of Batavia but still within the city limits.

May 7, 2012, 4:11pm Permalink
Angelo Dispenza

Jim, if i didnt know better i would have thought these pictures were taken outside my apartment. I've been watching this same fox hopping around for food for weeks, his determination is admirable! There is also a few doe that keep showing up, one with some very spotty colored fur, must still be wearing her winter coat like your pictures above. Lastly, the heron i told you about is still in the Tonawanda Creek, fishing away... what a life right? Great pics, hope your doing well.

May 7, 2012, 9:26pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Thanks Ange,,,,,good to hear from you. Had a nice paddle on Black Creek last week. Have a two day canoe trip schedule later this week on the Genesee with some old buddies from my rafting days.......should be a fun paddle!

May 7, 2012, 10:08pm Permalink

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