They could be called pups but I believe the correct word is Kits. There is a Fox den underneath a wood pile alongside my driveway. The mother, in this first picture, is young. She is giving everything she has to her Kits. She is thin, her hair is falling out, but her Kits are fat and robust. The instinct to protect and nurture our young is amazingly powerful. She gave her Kits warning barks which meant they should go hide, but they did not listen. As I moved closer, the mother screamed at me from the woods. When I was right next to the den she was quiet. I saw 4 Kits total. The one Kit was bolder and more curious enabling me to photograph him inside the den.
Absolutely beautiful photos! National Geographic…here you go. Also, you are brave to go so close with mom just inside the woods observing you.
Julie H
I agree – they are beautiful pictures.
The kits are adorable. It is rare to even see a fox, let alone have the opportunity to photograph them. What will happen to them?
Now I am really curious Julie, have you ever spotted the even more elusive wolverine?
I have seen Timber Wolves in the numerous times in the wild – all in Northern Minnesota. But I have never seen a Wolverine. Have you?
About 20 years ago at our old house, which was very rural and woodsy, we both saw one. We routinely saw your favorites – deer and racoons, but this was very different.
I will never forget it, because I was up all night with an abscessed tooth. It was barely daybreak, I was looking out the window and I saw it, only I didn’t know what it was. The next day I told Jack ” you will probably think I am crazy, but I saw this thing outside that looked like a little bear”. He said he had seen it too, the morning before, but didn’t tell me because I would think he was seeing things. Everybody said it was more likely a badger, but after researching both, we concluded it was a wolverine. We never saw him again though.
Julie, I just cannot get over these stunning fox pictures! The last one, with the little inquisitive framed face – it is just fantastic!Please keep us posted of their progress, if you are able.
Super cool seeing a Wolverine!
As the Kits get older I will probably not see much more of them.
I want to feed that mother, I think some raw chicken pieces will have to be left out for her.
What a good Mom, so instinctive – the babies are simply darling :~) Will they all be able to thrive in your area, Julie?
Oh Julie –
These are awesome! Thank you for sharing them!!! Talk about long dangerous tails, no way would I want to get too close to that mommas tail…
I used a telephoto lens and Momma couldn’t weight more then 20 pounds.