Dear Readers, this handsome young dog fox has been visiting us in daylight for the past few days – I imagine he’s really hungry (the ground is rock hard, and foxes often dig for worms/cached food at this time of year). So we’ve been throwing out a handful of dry dog food and then retreating indoors, so that he doesn’t get to associate humans with good things (not everyone is kind, sadly).
What a good-looking boy he is! He’s in pretty good condition, but he does have a sore back foot, which leads to a bit of a limp. However, it’s improving so I’m not worried about him at the moment.
He is very confident in the garden, but also very alert. I’m not sure what he heard here, but he was ready to run if necessary.
I have been blaming the squirrels for the mayhem in my pots, but maybe it’s not all them….
And everything is investigated.
He seems to know that the pond is frozen and will support his weight. I rather like to see him ‘walking on water’.
How do I know that he’s male? Well, he lifted a leg against one of the pots, whereas a vixen would squat, much as dogs do.
As always, it feels like such a privilege to have such a creature in the garden. I’m sure that the pond is a big draw – it’s thawed a bit at one edge, and the fox stopped for a quick drink there. Plus, at certain times of year there are lots of frogs, which provide the foxes with a new kind of food to try (poor frogs!) even if only once. I will be hoping to see him again.
What a handsome boy! I feel bad for animals everywhere right now, between drought, unseasonable freezing, or wildfires, it’s a sad situation for them. I’m glad you’re feeding him up; he’s such a healthy looking individual.
It’s not an easy life for other creatures, is it.
These are glorious photographs – I have enjoyed them all!
He is a beauty. We do feed ours but, like you, we don’t stay. It’s very important to put out water too at this time of year as most of their usual sources are frozen. I put it out warm so at least it takes longer to freeze again.
They are terrors for digging in plant pots!
My husband is forever in the garden defrosting the bird bath and the water dish with hot water. You’re right, water is essential, especially for birds who eat so much dry food.
I took our dog for a walk on Saturday, and saw 2 foxes in the park, then walking along the River Rom 2 more foxes were spotted followed by a Little Egret and a Kingfisher (woopee!!!). Came home to find a vixen checking out our small garden.
How wonderful. I’ve still only seen a kingfisher once, and that was on a bridge over the Serpentine in central London. I couldn’t believe my eyes!