Relaxing Kit
Right after I mentioned I had been having trouble seeing and photographing any of my Red Fox kits one decided it wanted to cooperate! These were taken Tuesday afternoon. You can see a sibling behind it in the vegetation in one of the photos, but this one was sunning and cleaning itself out in the open on the den’s bank. It knows it can dart inside in a flash if needed. That red is really coming on… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreKilldeer Nest
Yesterday afternoon, my parents discovered these beautiful Killdeer eggs which has just been laid in their rocky nest. Every year, they look forward to Killdeer pairs finding a site to create their nests, and they take particular care in protecting the nesting sites as well. Killdeer are one of my favorite bird species because of the unique terrain they choose for nesting, as well as their exhibited behavior when protecting the nest from intruders and predators. They will display a “broken-wing act” to distract any potential threat away from the nest…it is quite interesting to watch! Jane...
Read MoreFox Kit Exploration
This is one of “my” Red Fox kits, originally six that emerged several weeks ago. It now seems that we unfortunately only have five left, and one of those five is a small individual who gets picked on too much by its siblings. This is not too much of a surprise given that the sixth seemed to have quite an infection of its eye, as its parents both did at various points. The pups are exploring much more on their own now, being more afraid of humans than they were as they grow up to realize what danger means. This is about as good a look I have gotten recently. Maybe they will be...
Read MoreRaccoon Patrol
Please keep your trash indoors or inside something! Even this yard waste in paper bags was attractive to the Raccoon (Procyon lotor) seen here as it wondered if there were any scrumptious snacks in what is sometimes a human sack of treats. Raccoons can be seen in the day if they are particularly busy looking to feed growing young, but we should never intentionally or unintentionally provide food for mammals at our homes. That is how they become problem individuals, sometimes aggressively looking at the helpful hosts to keep the meals coming. The Raccoon seen here seems healthy in appearance...
Read MoreRed Fox Kits at Den
Check out the video evidence of this Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) family growing up and all the more red! Taken at the second and more hidden entrance to their den, you can even see them teething on some of the branches covering it up! So cute it hurts.
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