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.

46 thoughts on “Outfoxed”

      3. 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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  2. 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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    1. 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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  7. 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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  9. 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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      2. 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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      3. 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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  11. 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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    1. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  16. 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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  17. 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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