Last night at around dinner time I looked in our backyard again.
I saw a "critter" which I have seen at dusk one other time. At first I thought it was a cat but then I looked from the safety of behind my sliding glass doors.
It had a very long tail, kind of slinking along and a pointy snout. I took photos with my phone through our smudgy window and there was a young gray fox !!!!
How in the world did it get in our suburbia backyard with houses completely around us?
This guy seemed very comfortable and familiar with the place. I think he is hunting for rodents and birds. The fox sat on our retaining wall with a cushion of long grass weeds and curled up . I couldn't see him any longer and I think he went on his way. Sigh ... this Wild Life has got to stop. We have lived here for 18 years and NEVER had this experience before.
In reading about the Northern California Gray Fox, it said that they get comfortable with urban settings and backyards... They are the only fox species that can climb trees and go out on limbs because of their very sharp claws that are retractible like a cats. That wasn't very calming to say the least !
We are going to keep watch and call Animal control to see what to do. Of course right after all of this adventure our residence Skunk made his way across our yard too.
YIKES, let me outta here !!!
These photos aren't very clear or focused but they were the best I could do.
We have no pets so there isn't any food out.
The plum trees haven't started to bare fruit yet, so there is no fruit laying around.
Its a mystery and I have to admit I didn't sleep well last night thinking about the menagerie making their selves at home in our yard.
SIGH
And so the saga continues...
20 comments:
Maybe they are thirsty...is it dry there? Consider yourselves blessed to have God's beautiful creatures visiting, although the skunk really needs to move on quickly and not leave any "scent" behind! I love foxes, as long as I don't have any chickens or other small creatures like kittens that he might be looking for. They actually eat rodents and snakes and other things you'd probably be glad he found! So, just enjoy the show while it lasts. He will probably move on unless you feed him!
It's funny. Perhaps their habitat has been disrupted, such as by construction nearby? I'm on the edge of the country, and as far as I know, we don't have any critters marching through the yard at night. We did have a bear a few years ago and a mountain lion. I keep telling my husband that we need to put up a wildlife cam to see what's going on "while we sleep". LOL
I wouldn't lose any sleep unless you have chickens - they are more frightened of humans unless we humans do something that threatens them. If it upsets you, contact the local wildlife authorities and ask them for advice on how to handle the situation. They might have to live-trap them and then relocate them.
Foxes are beautiful animals, though. Heck, so are skunks; just a bit on the stinky side.
Let us know how to all works out!
He's probably just making his way through. Can't imagine he would want to live among humans.
Oh, my goodness - that was a silver/gray fox. Be careful it is not rabid - they usually don't get that close to people. Glad you called someone.
I'm sorry. I would be in heaven if this happened to me.
Wow! I would be so excited to see one in our backyard, but then we aren't in the suburbs. I think it beats the skunk!
Oh wow. I'm so glad y'all don't have any small dogs or cats. When I worked for the golf resort in Phoenix, the occasional coyote would come down from the hills in search of food and water. Good idea to consult Animal Control!
We live on the edge of a the woods so here, lots of things come along all times of day and night. But it sounds like this isn't normal for you guys. Sorry it made you not sleep. That doesn't sound like fun.
Hopefully it won't bother you and will move along. We live out in the country and I am used to seeing all manner of wildlife.
Why do you want the wild life to "stop"? I think it's terrific to have wild creatures around the neighbourhood. Just let them live their own way, no need to waste the time of Animal Control.
Wow, you sure are getting the wildlife activity in your yard. I would be surprised to ever see something like that in my yard.
I wonder if the fox is hunting that skunk…just a thought.
Wow, you have really had some crazy things in your yard. It's a good thing you don't have pets.
Wondering if these animals need water or if they are hungry. How unusual for you to have TWO different wild life animals in your back yard. If only a few goats would come, you wouldn't have to worry about the weeds. I don't think I've ever seen a grey fox....only the red ones. Keep your camera handy...who knows what might appear today....have a great Thursday Sue.
Meh...cute little fox, by the looks of the headline I thought it was a really big sighting like a chupacabra or sasquatch.
Well that was a bit of an exciting evening. He probably would run away if you approached him.
After reading the previous post about the giant skunk and now this on, it seems that you will not have to leave the neighborhood to see wildlife, Sue. But, I do hope they do not cause any damage or injuries.
wow, I prefer the fox over the stinky skunk.. Just stomp your feet and wave your arms and the fox will leave but don't do that to Pepe Le Phew. ha ha sent a test email, waiting to see if it comes back .
I love the Fox! They are so beautiful, especially the reds.
hugs
Donna
Enjoying catching up here. HOpe that fox is leaving you alone.
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