December 28, 2012

Churchill Trip - Red Fox


One of the unexpected surprises we experienced during our latest trip to Churchill was a siting of a red fox. With its reddish brown coat, it was a delightful spot of color on the snow-covered tundra landscape.

The red fox is the largest of the Vulpes species. Adults range from 1-1/2 to 2 feet in length and can weigh as much as 30 pounds. They are solitary animals and don’t live in packs like wolves. There are times when their ranges overlap, but they usually defend their own defined territory.




Red foxes are omnivores. Their diet includes birds, small mammals, fruits, berries, grasses, and even insects. They will hunt even when they aren’t hungry and store extra food in caches. How a red fox hunts mice under the snow is quite unique, and we were lucky enough to watch this beautiful animal in action! First, it stopped motionless, listening and watching. Every now and then it would tip its head from side to side, attempting to pinpoint the exact location of its prey. Then it pounced straight up in the air! (Leaps such as this can be as high as 6 feet.)



It dove straight down, with its front legs straight out and head going into the ground to pin a mouse, buried beneath the snow. I was able to catch this hunting fox in a terrific upside-down pose as it hit the earth! It looked like it was a female, LOL.



The fox made several attempts and came up empty-handed each time. Drat! After a few minutes, it decided to scurry on to other hunting grounds.



Here’s a digital crop that showcases the beauty of this animal.



15 comments:

  1. you never cease to surprise and amaze me with your photos. these are delightful!

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  2. I will always be amazed and thrilled by your photography. Yours is the one blog I often call my husband in to see.

    Sending wishes for a Happy New Year!

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  3. It has such gorgeous thick fur! We are watching The Chronicles of Narnia and watched half of it last night. The fox was in one of the scenes. Enjoy the weekend! Hugs!

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  4. I watched a documentary on the red fox and it showed how they hunted and it was so cool to see how high they jump. How neat for you to see it live.
    Such a beautiful animal. Great pics!

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  5. Very cool pictures, Donna! How great it is that you got to see it hunting! Love the upside down picture, too!

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  6. Those are awesome pictures. I loved watching the fox and his adventures! Thank you for the wonderful Christmas card you sent by email - it made me smile. A lot! Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!
    ~Adrienne~

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  7. Those are amazing photos, especially of that captured pounce. Awww, too bad to be outwitted by a mouse.

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  8. what a gorgeous animal that is. How fun to get to see her? in action.

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  9. I'm with TWG. You never cease to amaze me. You should be working for National Geographic or National Audubon. Holy Cow!! That animal is beautiful and your photo's are stunning!!

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  10. No way. You cannot get these photos except through some kind of magical miracle!! This is SO COOL! I'm in shock that you were able to get these photos - I'm sure if Natl. Geographic sees these photos, they will think one of their highest-paid photo people is moonlighting as Cottage Days and Journeys! Fantastic!!

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  11. Amazing photos Donna. And the color and clarity...perfect!
    Thank you.

    warm afternoon as I sit here, watching the tennis on tv.

    Just noticed your willingness to host a monthly photo challenge. That would be fun. Not that my photos come close to yours. I noticed that the Brenda Photo Challenge isn't operating at the moment.

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  12. I just love this photo, Donna! We had a pair of young gray fox siblings in our yard this past fall. They came several nights around the same time and would trip our floodlight. It was SO much fun watching them through the window!... Donna

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  13. Donna! hi! This photograph is so wonderful to the point that it looks like a painting! I love it; great elements, balance and color. wow!

    My boot collection is old and varied, huh? You are funny. :D

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  14. That was amazing to see. He is a beautiful creature and I love his color!

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  15. Hahahaa...I'm LOVING the upside down female shot!! These are ALL Gorgeous Donna!
    Happy New Year to you and Jim sweet friend! (AND Marty!)
    hughugs

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!