It was sunny this morning and I headed in to work early in the hope of catching sight of the vixen before the area gets too busy. The sun was still relatively low in the sky, which although very pretty cast deep shadows across some of the more likely spots. So it was a matter of scouting around for a good position, and waiting to see if anything would happen.
I was in luck. After about five minutes I spotted her heading towards her den.
Fox with rabbit
I followed her around to the side of the low bridge and saw her disappear.
Fox at her den
A moment or two later she re-emerged, and to my surprise was still holding her prey.
Fox and rabbit
She headed under the bridge and I went round to the other side to try to catch a view. She was with a second fox (I missed the shot). It seemed to be another adult, possibly a secondary vixen. From what I've gathered from others I've spoken with, the maternal vixen is doing most of the work at the moment, but that could be just the daytime hunting. I'm not sure anyone is monitoring their nightly activity.
With the second fox out of sight, the vixen headed up into the woods. I followed her some of the way and caught her pausing for some refreshment at one of the local watering holes. It's a relatively new pond, constructed about 18 months ago. Good to see that it's attracting the local wildlife.
Fox at a pond
She then trotted off towards the deeper woods. I didn't follow this morning, and she didn't appear again while I stayed near the den. She was out again at lunchtime (I didn't see her), and again had a rabbit. I've also learnt that there is a second vixen and den out in one of the nearby woods. I'm told that the cubs there are older so it may be worth risking a trek to see if I can find them. There's also a single dog fox who moves between both dens, but spends most of his time in the woodland area. So plenty more for me to investigate over the coming weeks :sherlock:
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
gdare
2 May 2009She will exterminate rabbit population in area :yikes:
Seem to be a very good hunter :yes:
Flying Red Fox Blog
2 May 2009Wow excellent! :yes: See, getting up really early is worth it! 😉 Well you cant really do both unless sleep during the afternoon lol 😆
Hopefully the cubs might peer out the den, now that would be a perfect shot.
Iam off to Gatwick now to take photos of planes. I havent updated my blog much recently, this is due to me working longer hours, more money though yay!
SittingFox
2 May 2009Wow, great shots! :yes: You seem to have discovered a very cooperative fox – and surely you'll see the cubs later on.
They do a lot of rabbit ecology studies at the UEA and one of the professors there said to me that the foxes really did take a lot of kits, to the extent of possibly controlling the population. I think kestrels were the second most important predator. It's interesting to study this in Norwich because foxes have only returned to the campus area relatively recently.
Words
2 May 2009Mark, yes it was well worth the early start. I'm fairly confident that I'll get to see the cubs, though I'm slightly worried by the number of people who pass that spot. It's not at all ideal for them.
Good luck at Gatwick. You've got a nice day for it. And extra work at the moment is no bad thing given the state of the economy.
Words
2 May 2009Darko, somehow I think the rabbit population will survive 😉 She certainly seems to know what she's doing, but it has spooked a few people seeing her running around like that in broad daylight.
Words
2 May 2009Adele, yes she's great… and all of 90 seconds from my office. The one problem is that she's on the main route through the centre of campus. Plenty of vehicles across the bridge at various times of the day, and a constant stream of people through the path under it. There's quite a number of people keeping an eye out for her (she's becoming quite a feature).
The UEA study doesn't surprise me at all. She always has a kit, and they are generally so much easier to get close to than the adults. When I'm out with the camera there is always one that delays the rush back under cover.
anonymous
2 May 2009Foxyjosh writes:
You should try submitting that image to Hallmark.
I can't think of any witty catchphrase to say but, it is cute.
Flying Red Fox Blog
2 May 2009That is true, i must be going against the river somehow if my hours are increasing during a recession! 😆 Its because a kitchen porter suddenly left (as usual, they dont seem to like it, but i dont mind washing things and keeping things clean and tiday lol)
Gatwick was great,lovelly hot sunny weather and i got a bit sunburned….. and my fold away seat collapsed from under me and i landed on the grass looking silly…….. i saved the camera though yay! 😀
cakkleberrylane
2 May 2009Stunning pictures! And exciting to think about you seeing and photographing the cubs!
Words
2 May 2009Foxyjosh, nice idea but I'm not sure it's quite appropriate as a greetings card picture. But thanks! 🙂
Words
2 May 2009Lois, thanks! Yes I want to see the cubs but will have to wait a few days before I get an opportunitiy.
Words
2 May 2009Mark, glad you got your priorities right…. save the camera! :yikes:
annoushkiss
13 May 2009Wow… Fantastic captures! The foxes feel free at your place as I can see 😉 Very impressive post :up:
Words
13 May 2009Thanks Anna!