Fox dens in twilight

Just a few days ago, my husband came across these indentations in the snow. They’re holes that lead down to a fox den. The edges are crystallized, meaning something is breathing down there.

Winter is breeding time for fox and just over a month ago, my husband heard them mating one night. He can tell, you know. They make a certain cry. Plus there was soft seduction music playing in the background.

Here’s what the dens looked like yesterday as I walked towards them at the edge of the property out my front door.

This looks like a well-established den we have here.

 

Here’s a side shot. Look at the one closest to you that has fresh digging. And not included in this photo is the rear door of this den. It’s off to the left.

Now I know that all this may be just a little too exciting for you. So I need you to take a deep breath and calm down. Breathe.

In March, the female fox will give birth to 4-5 cubs and she’ll stay in her den caring for them, not venturing out, while the male brings her food. The cubs are born deaf and blind and their fur is short and dark. When they are about 3 weeks old, the mother will begin to venture out from the den, eventually going longer between forays. One day the cubs will emerge from the den and begin to investigate their surroundings. What’s amazing is that by autumn, the little family will have dispersed and split off into their own directions and the den will be abandoned until the next female comes along looking for a place to birth her pups.

And to those who wrote hoping for some photos of fox, well that’s a chance in a thousand! They are so elusive. And frankly, I find it amazing that their den is where it is.

They’re almost on the edge of the woods. This is looking west as the sun is setting. As you can see, there’s still small patches of snow lying about. We had a beautiful afternoon and tomorrow holds the promise of even better temperatures.

Looking towards the house, the foxholes are just off to the right here.

 

 

And you all know who this is. This was taken by Blue Girl’s grave, facing the back of the house. Sometimes we wonder if this wasn’t used as the main entrance door a long time ago. Oh, and Blue Girl was a beloved dog who lived here a long long time ago. Her grave is just to the left of George and is surrounded by a stand of trees.

We’ll keep you posted on the fox situation. Until tomorrow, my friends . . .