Back To Winter

Our spring-like weather disappeared overnight.  I sat by the window this morning watching the snow fall.  With it comes icy roads, shoveling and plowing.  From the comfort of the living room, the scene is unbelievably beautiful.  As I sat drinking my coffee and staring out at the snow, a fox ran through the garden and up the hill into the trees.  Usually when we see a fox here he's moving slowly.  This fox ran with effortless speed and grace that was astounding.  I would hate to be a rabbit trying to escape such an animal, it would catch me for sure!  I've seen what I was pretty sure were fox tracks, but it was a thrill to catch even so short a glimpse of the animal.   He's so welcome here.  With all the rabbit tracks in the garden he can stop by for dinner every day if he wants.  He was too fast to get a look at his tail.  I don't know it it was white or black, but whether he's a red fox or a gray fox it's bunnies BEWARE!

Frozen Footprints

The weather has moderated a bit today. The goal of readings above zero seems within reach. Yesterday no tracks in the snow were evident, but now the animals are moving. I'm still curled up in my den, but maybe after several frigid days they are hungry.

Just what can we tell from this great set of tracks? The print on the left is easy to identify. It's Ed's size 11 boot and measures 12" long. The other tracks belong to a fox. The footprints in a line like that clearly were made by a fox

When a fox walks his tracks double register. That is the hind foot is placed directly on top of the print from the front. It seems like it would be difficult to do that , but if you are smart like a fox , I guess it's easy. There are two kinds of foxes here, the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and the gray fox,Urocyon cinereoargenteus. We have seen both kinds based on the white or black on the end of their tail. According to my reference, Tracking and the Art of Seeing, these less than 12" apart tracks are more likely to belong to a gray fox.

Gray foxes are native. Red foxes are from Europe. I'm not entirely convinced that there hasn't been some hybridization going on. Until we moved here I had never heard of a gray fox. The most incredible thing about a gray fox is it's ability to climb trees. I even followed some tracks to the edge of the woods once, and saw them end at the trees. Frankly I was spooked at first to think that a fox could get up in the trees, but gray foxes just have a lot in common with cats.

I love having a friendly fox hanging around the garden. Here's hoping our fox found the furry breakfast he was looking for.

It's a Good Sign

One might wonder how scat on top of a stone wall can be a good sign. For me it is! I have an interesting book called "Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign" by Paul Rezendes.It's very helpful for the garden detective in the winter.

This sign says that the foxes are back. The berries and the placement of this scat are a giveaway. Odor and size are clues as well, but I don't get close enough to measure or compare scents where scat is concerned. The fox likes to leave his little present up at nose level to mark his territory. In the past we have had gray foxes here, but they could be red. It all comes down to white or black on the tip of their tail. I can't wait to see them! Rabbits, squirrels , voles, and field mice beware! You are on the menu. I'm sure you'll be delicious after eating my lovely garden plants!