VIXEN

VIXEN

Fierce comes the vixen's night
Her piercing eyes so clear and bright
The dog fox snared by her wild scream
A locked embrace by the pulsing stream

Weary comes the vixen's dawn
Her visage pale and so withdrawn
Panting from a savage hunting
Tho' ravaged by a hunger wanting

Peaceful comes the vixen's day
To idly watch her cubs at play
Still watchful ever lest a stranger
Break the spell cast veil of danger

Vigilant comes the vixen's evening
Followed on from fitful dreaming
Glides graceful into the gathered gloaming
Commences thus her ceaseless roaming

James Campbell

A SPECIAL MOMENT

I have had interaction with foxes and badgers for nigh on forty years, but never had a fox approach in broad daylight to take food by hand.  This particular animal is the same vixen that has been coming to the kitchen door at night for chicken scraps.  Her confidence and trust which she has gradually gained was taken to a new level on Saturday afternoon.  In anticipation of something quite special, I had previously set up a camera tripod.  A special moment, captured for posterity. The moment at half speed comes at the end of the real time clip.

VIXEN AT THE DOOR

My regular nightly visitor looking for a snack.

FOX IN THE GARDEN

Unusual sighting of a fox (now identified as a vixen) in broad daylight eating seed and biscuits dropped from my bird feeder. 

A FOX CAME A VISITING

This vixen has been a regular visitor to my garden over the winter and has taken to waiting for me in the path outside the back door of the kitchen.  I had been working on a sticking door earlier in the evening and the light of the open door had attracted the vixen.  While I was working in the kitchen, she poked her head around the corner.  I threw a piece of chicken and, remarkably, she came inside to snatch it and retreat.  This is a video of the next night's visit.  She keeps looking to her right as there are other foxes close by.

BECBLA RETURNS

Missing all over the Christmas period and well into January, I was becoming more and more concerned about Becbla, the blind vixen.  A few nights ago, whilst walking with So Cruise  on our Night Patrol, I saw her running with another fox - presumably a companion or mate.  She stopped immediately I called and I threw her some chicken pieces.  The following nights, she appeared in the same field, sometimes alone, awaiting food. 

Though creatures of habit, foxes will suddenly change behaviour and stop frequenting certain spots and trails.  I was certainly relieved to see that Becbla was alive and in good health.