The more or less constant wind and rain has kept me indoors and the foxes away. Well not quite away, but they haven't been hanging around on the off-chance that I'll stick my head outside. No sightings yesterday at all (but I wasn't around much). This evening two of the cubs showed up briefly at different times, but not Skinny.
My main concern is that Skinny is due a further dose of medicine on Tuesday. It doesn't matter too much if she gets it late, but a third dose (and possibly four) is the recommended treatment. She's had two treatments so far which will certainly have broken the cycle of infection, but the additional doses will prevent rapid recurrence. With luck the weather will improve and tempt her back. Of course there may be another reason for her disappearance. The dog fox was back tonight and ruling the roost as though he'd never been away. He's a complete charmer, though I doubt the cubs agree. He may well be staking a claim over the territory for the winter. It was about this time last year that he drove the single male cub away, so his dominance isn't unexpected. "Yes son, you're six months old. Time to leave home, and don't argue."
As to the dog fox, I first spotted him tonight down on the patio outside the back door. Not one of his usual spots. He then spent about 20 minutes strolling around the garden, climbing on to the garage roof and disappearing into the shrubs. There was a cub lurking in the undergrowth (the squeals gave it away), though whether it was one of the earlier visitors (or Skinny) I don't know. Mind you, if I were a cub I'd be wary of any adult with jaws like these.
Inevitably I took my usual 30 or 40 photos of him of which a few are ok. It's good to see his coat thickening up nicely for the winter. If it continues like this he'll be glorious in a month or so. Here's a selection from tonight.
Oh, and there's a new video 'The Face of the Fox' over on my main site and YouTube. The material is all from June and concentrates on close-ups. Links as follows:
anonymous
4 Sep 2006Falcon Fox writes:
Wow, in a couple of those shots he didn't look too happy that his pic was being taken, does he? I noted his ears laid part way back and that "fox sneer"…and his eyes just scream "back off mister! I think your probably right about his claiming territory.
Words
4 Sep 2006He tends to be more jumpy when the wind is up (which it was). I think it must make listening for danger (or prey) more difficult, but the close-ups were from only a couple or so of feet away so he was actually fairly relaxed with me. At least I hope so. Wouldn't like to get the wrong side of those teeth :yikes: