In Australia, it is quite unusual to observe a fox going about its nefarious business, but we did indeed see one and have the photographs to prove it. One day, as my True Love and I approached the river, we heard a duck making a great cacophony. It was clearly very agitated. Perhaps this noise, and the fact that we were upwind of the duck and fox, masked our approach. The duck made its escape, much to the disappointment of the young fox.
Outfoxed
Quarry eludes
Young fox invasive species
Cute but deadly
Lives to hunt another day
In battle for resources.
(Click on the photos to enlarge).
Together with the cat, foxes have been responsible for the extinction and decline of many native species in Australia.
Kind Regards.
Tracy.
Response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt — Elusive.
Send them here. They’re supposed to be here, after all. Here some regard them as nefarious but mostly as “Well there’s a fox.” 🙂
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I think that would be an excellent solution, Martha. Mostly we only see poo on a rock. 🙂
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We “have” a fox we love very much but don’t see very often. He is sometimes a beautiful apparition in the snow.
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It’s a message maybe.
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It could be, “Don’t chase me.” “Don’t take my deer.” “Come and play.” Hard to say with those guys. Once it was a clear, “Come and play!” but that wouldn’t end well. ❤
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Mr Fox seems to be rather carefree. My impression of fox behaviour is that the fox keeps a low profile and travels by night. Has this fox become habituated to human hand outs? ‘Toss me treats and I’ll pose for you!” This fox seems to be in excellent condition. He is so photogenic. Thank you for the pictures Tracy.
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The behaviour you describe is typical, Sid. They slink around at night and you only ever get to see their eye shine. I don’t think this fox is at all habituated to humans. It would mostly get a bullet in the country. That’s why we think it is only a cub. There was dense vegetation between us and it, and of course the duck made a huge racket (huge, unpleasant noise) which was what attracted our attention.
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These are fantastic!
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Thank you!
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Such a beauty! Its amazing how these critters let us a little closer with time.
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I don’t think it knew we were there, Lisa. There was quite a lot of dense shrub and a river between us and it. But perhaps, it sensed something judging by its body language. I’m amazed at how close people get to foxes in your part of the world.
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Is the fox not indigenous to Australia?
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It is not, Liz. It, the cat and rabbits which were also introduced, have had a devastating impact on our indigenous animals and landscape.
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The things you see when you don’t have a gun
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We did take a few shots though. 🙂
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😀 😀
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We used to have fox dens near us, but didn’t see any this past summer. I’d go to walk the dog and the Kits would be out watching our every move. You managed to get some wonderful shots.
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How unusual that they should pack up and move on. I bet the world is a little less colourful without their presence.
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I wonder if it just became too busy…
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I am so glad the duck got away. I don’t like this whole food chain thing. The photos are pretty wonderful, though, Tracy.
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Thank you, Lois. I’ve just had an idea for a title for a post from your comment. You’re such an inspiration. 🙂
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My interest is piqued! 🙂
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I’ve sent myself a reminder, but probably won’t be for a while. 🙂
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Such a beautiful animal, but knowing that it doesn’t belong there and that it in fact is a threat to the animals that do, really has me in two minds. Marvelous photos though, Tracy!
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I’m glad you like the photos, Dries. One can’t help be fascinated by them, that’s for sure.
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They are also a troublesome creature in the UK and Europe. The only one I have seen in Australia was in a wildlife park. Great photos, Tracy.
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That’s interesting, Suzanne. I didn’t know that. And, much appreciated.
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We saw the long legged foxes at Dubbo Zoo which is more like a park.
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I haven’t been to Dubbo Zoo for about 20 years. I loved it there. Are the long legged foxes maned wolves? I would love to see them. Dubbo is in terrible strife at the moment, with their water supply expected to dry up by November. Other big towns in that region and outlying communities are also similarly affected.
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I did more googling after I sent my reply to you and yes it was wolves not foxes we saw at Dubbo. OMG that is sad regarding the water supply. Incredibly sad for all concerned and very expensive to get it brought in. Then when it rains the ground can’t absorb it. Hopefully someone comes up with a workable plan.
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I think they are praying for rain. Every little bit helps of course. The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been part of the problem. Things look grim.
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Great photos and yes they are a pest here but still such a beautiful and fascinating animal. My daughter and husband were attending a big family event, (I had to work), in the country and a vixen with kits was crossing the road in front of the car, so casually the kits just stopped, Bronte had to get out of the car and shoo them to safety. At dinner her aunt emphatically told her they were an introduced species and a pest, she should have killed them, to which Bronte replied “well so are we”, aunts partner who is indigenous laughed and said don’t look at me I with Bronte on this one. Yes like cats incredibly destructive but I am all for humane management especially since we are responsible for this problem.
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I would have been entranced too, Sharon, with the kits and their mum. They are fascinating, and I adore them. But…. I might have felt differently though if foxes had killed all the small creatures I was charged with protecting. Such a tricky issue because I’m not sure that there is a humane way of managing them. It doesn’t seem a practical option to catch and euthanase them in sufficient quantities to make a difference. Maybe one day we will be able to chemically sterilise them somehow. I believe the scientists are trying that with mosquitoes. I guess if it was easy to fix we wouldn’t have this problem.
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Nicely captured, Tracy!
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Thank you, Sue. Much appreciated.
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Makes me very glad we dont have foxes here. Cats, rats, possums and stoats do more than enough to decimate native wildlife. And the. There are the rabbits and deer. ☹️
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Foxes definitely not welcome in NZ. I feel for you. Damn those possums! I’m doing my best to remediate by buying possum socks.
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Excellent — the fibre is so lovely. 😀
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Great photos! We do see fox sometimes where I live, but they aren’t common. And as much as I know they need to eat, I’m glad the duck managed to escape. That’s the problem with hunting…I feel sorry both for the hungry animal that is hunting, and for the prey animal that is being hunted!
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Thanks Ann. I often feel torn too.
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What a find.. Great photo.
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Thanks Judy.
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Lovely photos, Tracy! But knowing that foxes aren’t indigenous in Australia and responsible for species becoming extinct makes it hard to appreciate its beauty.😯
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Yes, I would rather just watch documentaries of them filmed in their native countries.
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Very understandable, Tracy.
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These are amazing pics! I usually see them skulking off to the side of the highway in farming country. I know they are not native and are destructive, but can’t help but admire that glorious tail.
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