Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Red Fox (Renard roux)

     Knowing that our interest in wildlife extends beyond birds, Miriam's niece, Kathy, let us know that she had seen a den of a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) with growing healthy kits, and thought we might be interested to pay it a visit. And of course we were very interested!
     Ornithology is my principal passion, first, foremost and always, but there is not a single aspect of the natural world that does not fascinate me, and this encounter with the foxes is about as good as it gets.
     In recent times, foxes have been able to adapt to urban environments, and this female denned in the village of St. Jacobs, on a hill leaving town.
     Here you can see a panoramic view of the location with the four kits outside practicing the skills they will need for life as adults.



     And here is a closer shot of three of the kits.



     One of the adults payed a brief visit, but left to go hunting. Four hungry mouths demand a regular supply of food!






     To say that these young foxes are charming is the understatement of the week!



     They were constantly exploring their environment, sniffing the air, listening for new sounds, practicing that classic fox jump as it hunts for rodents in winter snow.



     I am quite convinced that part of their rambunctiousness is pure play, but there is a serious side to it also, and even at this young age dominance hierarchies start to be established.





     They are ever curious, with knowledge gained at this early stage in their lives filed away in their memory bank for the future, when they will need to survive on their own, and raise a family too.




     There are those who say that one should always view wildlife in a detached manner, with a scientific eye, dispassionate and objective, without emotion. This is pure bunk, I say. If your reaction to these wonderful creatures is not that they are adorable, I think you need to check whether you have a pulse!




     In the area where we live there has been a population explosion over several years of Eastern Cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus), helped in large measure by mild winters, and it is a real challenge to gardeners who routinely find new growth nibbled back to the ground. Quite often we see one or two rabbits in our backyard, and soon the adults will be joined by their young. If you have a vegetable garden better protect it well with chicken wire, but flowers are not immune and we lost all of our coneflowers a couple of years ago.


Eastern Cottontail
     The principal reason that the rabbits have become so numerous is that their normal exposure to predators has declined markedly in recent years. Everyone is familiar with the legendary fecundity of rabbits; an expansion of urban foxes would serve to rectify this imbalance.

     Foxes have been persecuted by humans in more ways than one can imagine. They have been trapped, poisoned, hunted from snowmobiles, run to exhaustion by hounds, and even burned at the stake. Furthermore they have been introduced into countries where they do not belong, Australia being a classic case, where they become a danger to native wildlife. Surely the time has come, when we can finally accept the Red Fox as a natural part of our environment. It belongs here, it is native to the area and subject to all the normal checks and balances that are an integral part of a healthy ecosystem.
     Let me leave you with a final picture to make your day just a little brighter.


     Some of the youngsters will not survive to adulthood. For those that do let us welcome them into our lives and accept the incredible privilege it is to share our world with these creatures. They are after all much like us, trying to feed the kids and get through the day!



David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

85 comments:

  1. The foxes are gorgeous David, they are such beautiful animals. When I lived in England, in London and later in other towns there were always foxes in the gardens, parks and cemeteries, and we used to enjoy watching them. The are often to be seen here in the fields behind the house, and at night I sometimes hear their cries. Great that you got such fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Valerie

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  2. These foxes are cute and the photos are great. Every once in a while I see them around our farm, but not often.

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    1. I suspect they are pretty wary on a farm, Michelle.

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  3. Yes, David, I checked and do have a pulse, thank goodness. And yes I found these young foxes adorable without even having to be prompted to say so. Their playfulness reminded me of both other young animals (and even humans) and it is indeed sad that they have been so persecuted, especially through fox hunts. And I agree that the bunnies people often find "so cute" have ravaged many a vegetable or flower garden. We were always so amazed that the gardens at our former VA home were never invaded even though we saw rabbits in the yard, which had an abundance of frass areas. We were always hoping that their munching would keep it trimmed so we would have to run the mower. Alas it never happened that way. Thanks to Miriam and her niece so that we could enjoy these young-uns.

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  4. Foxes are intelligent, energetic and fantastic animals.
    What a pity they are so terribly threatened. Unfortunately, man forgets the importance that each organism has in the balance of the ecosystem.
    Wonderful photos, I especially loved the 7th when the young fox is in the air jumping, great shot.
    Take care and be well

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  5. Because of the coronavirus the fox now dares to leave the forest ... They have also been very close to my house ... I don't know if that is good ?!
    Very nice photos, David!

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  6. David!
    The foxes are lovely. It is sad that man brutally kills animals. In my country, the poachers killed almost all the hares.
    You will not see a hare in the meadows, fields in the woods.
    Hugs and greetings.
    Lucja

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  7. Hello David, the fox are so cute. What a neat sighting to see the fox and kits. I usually can tell they have been around our yard. I love the bunny. Awesome collection of photos!

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  8. They are very cute animals, in special the foxes

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  9. They are absolutely gorgeous, David! I have only once ever found a Fox den with kits, in June 2010, and spent some time in my hide observing them the next day. I got some intimate photos but never of them playing together like this. The next time I went, there was no sign of them and it appeared that the den had been interfered with. It's so sad that they're persecuted in such a barbaric fashion. By the way, we had Fox again in the garden early yesterday morning.

    Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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  10. A beautiful sequence of wildlife!

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  11. Very beautiful photos, David. The small puppies are so cute.
    I have seen foxes around here many times.

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  12. What beautiful animals! How lucky you are to be able to observe them.

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  13. Los has ido acercando poco a poco, hasta tenerlo tan cerca y podamos apreciar el menor detalles de ellos. Me han encantado verlo en su habitat natural y actuando libremente por él.

    Besos

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  14. ¡Qué gran suerte migo David! siempre me han parecido criaturas magnificas y las admiro, son encantadoras. En unas vacaciones estando en unos parejas de España que se llaman Sierra de Cazorla que es una maravilla en vegetación y agua, por la noche en el hotel rural que estábamos hospedados de vez en cuando hacia acto de presencia un zorro que le tirábamos algo de comer, en los días que estuvimos apareció dos noches y era fantástico.
    Debería estar pero que muy castigado el matar a estos bellos animales.
    Preciosas, las fotos me encantan.
    Un fuerte abrazo querido amigo y compadre David.

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  15. What a wonderful adventure!
    Too many feed them, but they aren't pets.
    Great photos!

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    1. No, they are not pets, Jenn, and left to their own devices they will do just fine.

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  16. I have a huge weakness for foxes.
    As I head off for what I expect to be a very busy shift on the crisis line I am taking this post and the completeing charming images with me for comfort.
    Many, many thanks.

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    1. I hope it works for you, Sue. Working that crisis line must be draining at times.

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  17. Hari OM
    Hear! Hear! what a bundle of cutesome Miriam has pictured for us and what a painting with your words! YAM x

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  18. The foxes are so adorable and cute. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.

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  19. Fantastic captures David. Amazing to see them so close, we rarely see foxes here.

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  20. How lovely for you to have seen these foxes, and thank you so much for the wonderful photographs you've shared.
    Such a joy to see them.

    All the best Jan

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  21. The photos of the young foxes frolicking around are delightful. We have a couple of foxes visiting us here in the garden everyday - they always go via the same route, and have actually worn a little footpath across our lawn.

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    1. It must be delightful to have them visit every day.

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  22. Hello David, what a wonderful opportunity to watch these young Foxes. I love Foxes. Have not seen manny but in a few occasions I did. And it is indeed the same story of in balanced wildlife because of misundertanding how it all works in nature.
    Your day must have been a happy day.
    Take care,
    Roos

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  23. Wonderful views of the fox family! I love the way they jump right of the ground with all four legs and land on all four feet. Our last dog was just the same.

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  24. Foxes are protected on PEI. They are adorable and beautiful creatures.

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  25. Thank you for sharing those wonderful photos of such delightful animals.

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  26. Buenas noches, David.
    what a surprise this nice post. Adorable little foxes, it's time for us to accept our "younger" brothers and, what can I say about the bunnies are pure sweetness jumping in the garden? i love rabbits 🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰 Both animals are very smart.
    Un abrazo grande desde Argentina hacia Canada
    Best regard

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  27. The road super used to come get me from my office, finger to lips, to go quietly to the parking lot and watch the kits up from the ravine, cavorting. They were in no danger.

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  28. I once read the the red fox is not native to N America, but it seems that they are.

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  29. David - I share your fundamental belief that Nature was built with balance - it needs all parts of the food chain to keep the balance intact. I can't tell you how many times I have had this frustrating conversation with Montanans, who want to have a large elk herd to hunt, but find it perfectly acceptable to kill wolves if they perceive that there are too many! And by the way, I must have a pulse, because I do think these kits are adorable with a capital A!

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    1. And that's what it generally is, Angie, perception, or bias, completely untethered from any scientific fact.

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  30. Love your pictures of the young foxes (we have nothing like that here). They are so cute, and watching them must have been mesmerizing :)

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  31. The photos are wonderful. We have two species here: the red, which tends to be found in the woodlands and forests of east and northeast Texas, and the gray, which is more common in the western part of the state. The gray is a Texas native, and the only one I've encountered with kits. Like the young you show here, they were adorable, and a complete thrill to see.

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  32. Like all young animals they are cute.
    As you probably know we don't have any in Tasmania.

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  33. Hi David - beautiful photos and kid-like behaviour ... we have lots around here, as too rabbits: common sort - not cottontails, a genus particular to the Americas. Obviously a happy journey out. All the best - Hilary

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  34. Hi David.

    Super these young foxes.
    Beautiful photos.
    So nice to see this.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  35. I did not know that you had Red Foxes in Canada, one lives and learns through other blogs. Fabulous set of photos and they are just so adorable. That cottontail better watch out or it will be on the foxes menu. Keep safe and stay well, Diane

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  36. You made me super glad with these nice photos. Thanks

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  37. Wonderful Foxes, playing with each other.

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  38. Awesome post David. I learned a lot! Looks like you picked the perfect time to check them out giving Miriam an opportunity for some fantastic photos.

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    1. It was a great experience, Carol.

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    2. And let me also add that it really makes me happy when people let me know that they learn from my blog.

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  39. Beautiful foxes!
    It is sad that these wonderful animals have been treated so cruelly by humans.

    Thank you for your visit and comment on my blog. My faith and prayer life is a daily support and comfort to me. I could not face the day with all its troubles without it.
    Do you consider yourself and atheist or an agnostic? I have often wondered where or to whom non-believers turn to for strength to make it through the day, especially in these troubled times. Maybe you can tell me.

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    1. I am an atheist and a secular humanist. As to turning to someone for strength to make it through the day, I have never felt that I need external help to do that.

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    2. Actually I never feel like "I make it through the day." I am filled with verve and enthusiasm every single morning when I wake up.

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  40. Oh David, adorable is an understatement. I love every single photo -- the play and the pensive. They are stunning creatures, so very beautiful. What a gift to be able to observe them in such a wonderful way. The photos are terrific. (Love the rabbits, too. I have a very soft spot for rabbits!)

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  41. Fantástico reportaje David. Y descubrirlos fue un acierto. Se ven muy jovenes, que puedan crecer todos bien.
    Te deseo una buena tarde.
    Un abrazo.


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  42. Ohhh ils sont trop mignons, merci d'avoir partagé ces magnifiques photos.
    En me baladant j'ai aperçu quelque fois un renard, mais jamais vu de petits.
    Bonne soirée

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  43. Oh, what fun to see a family of foxes! I really enjoyed the wonderful photos, especially of the little guys, We have one in our neighborhood this spring, seen by neighbors but we haven’t seen it yet. I keep hoping!

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  44. Although not a pet, but a wild animal, I know the fox can occasionally be fed by humans. Of course, great caution is required. Judging by the pictures in your post, the red fox is quite a cute animal, but its tail is rather long.

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  45. Hermosos los zorritos, me gusta como se ve ese pelaje típico de los juveniles. Por aquí tenemos una especie bastante común y casi siempre se ve alguno por el campo
    Un abrazo

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  46. Son preciosos, me encanta verlos. Por aquí hay bastantes, pero creo que no son iguales. Un abrazo querido amigo.

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  47. What a delightful post, David! I enjoyed these photos very much. We have foxes in our neighborhood and have seen them sitting at front doors and in driveways. I sometimes hear them in the night (they make the weirdest sounds) and on some morning I find their scat in my garden.

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  48. So cute photos of young foxes! And playing is very important (we adults should also remember this :)), but for foxes it's also practicing for hunting :).
    Hope You have a nice weekend David!

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  49. Young foxes are gorgeous, love your photos, David.
    Perhaps their mother went looking for food. Maybe for rabbits or mice.
    In the place where my cottage is located, foxes caught four cats to feed their children. Poor kind cats that grew up with people and did not know about any danger.

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  50. Cats destroy a lot of native wildlife, Nadezda. If people would keep their cats inside this would not happen.

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  51. Gorgeous photos David, they are really cute. I have never seen a fox, but just last weekend friends of ours who live by one of the rivers in Perth and feed lots of ducks and black swans, were saying some of the smaller birds seem to be disappearing due to foxes.
    Thanks for your comment defending my last post, very much appreciated, just as you said it, it wasn't my intention to offend anyone or any culture. Have a lovely weekend

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    1. It was a sad day for your native wildlife when the fox was introduced to Australia, Sami. With no large predators to keep its population in check it has become a real menace. And this says nothing of rabbits and Cane Toads!

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  52. Woww... honestly, the photographs are stunning. Definitely, they were well taken by the hand of someone knowing a lot about photography.

    The fixes are really cute.

    I envy you.. :-D

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  53. The fox kits are lovely! There are a couple of foxes around here. One is quite splendid with a shiny coat and a bushy tail and the other one very bedraggled with what it probably mange. I used to see both of them regularly but not so far this spring. Both were very bold, just trotting down the middle of the road in broad daylight.

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  54. ...what a treat to see. Years ago before my retirement I had a nursery and one year a fox set up residence. We no longer had a rabbit problem!

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  55. hello David
    I am speechless ......... I can not keep up, great to watch your sighting when the little games and frolicking, here in Germany they are extremely hunted, predators are called here, including martens , Raccoons and a few others ...
    the other side of it; for the wildcat and lynx millions are spent on the preservation of the breeds although these two also loot nests and eat smaller animals .... I can never and will never understand .... I hear from some hunters around here from 50- 60 fox kills per hunter,
    they make no difference whether puppy or mother animal
    Mother animal death .... what remains are puppies that are starving under construction .... that is hunting with us
    sad sad
    stay healthy
    Regards Frank

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    1. It saddens me to hear that they are so badly persecuted in your country, Franc.

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  56. I am revisiting to revel in their charm. Many, many thanks.

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  57. Hi David,
    Foxes have adapted to cities, we know that already for a long time. They are smart, finding ways to gather food in an easy manner. When a den is found in the dunes in my surroundings crowds of photographers show up, positioning in front of each other away in order to make the picture of the year. Under these conditions it is a wonder when the youngsters get a chance to grow up. When you get the chance to observe them it is a pleasure to see them playing, showing their natural behaviour.
    Greetings, Kees

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  58. These photos are so cute. Thanks for sharing.

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  59. Hi David, thank you for visiting my blog, much appreciated. IO added you to my blog log to make visiting back and forth easier. What an interesting post. I don't think we have any red foxes around, but given the large number of rabbits wish we did. I've done what I can to discourage the rabbits, by blocking up holes around our deck and tool shed. I chase them when I see them, trying to get them to go elsewhere. They've eattens the tops of most of my favorite flowers now 2 years in a row and I'm getting really fed up with them. It's not uncommon to look out the kitchen window when I'm pouring my morning coffee and see 3-4 and even 5 at time. I don't have a veggie patch, and really no one around us does, so not sure why they are so attracted to this area. The pictures you got of the foxes are awesome. You must have gotten pretty close to get such good pictures. Are they not afraid of humans? I have a friend who lives couple hours north of me and is on 5.5 acres in a much less populated area. She has some red foxes and loves to watch them. I'm going to email her your blog link, as I know she'd love to see the pictures. She's not a blogger; but pretty sure your post will be to her liking. Stay well.
    Sandy's Space

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  60. Hello David,

    These are just amazing photos and what a great sighting of the fox family. They look so cute playing together. Wonderful critter post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy weekend. PS, thank you for the visit and comment.

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  61. The foxes look like something from a Disney movie! It would be fun to write a story featuring these cuties! I love birds AND all nature! To get out in the woods and see something like this is just amazing! Enjoy your weekend!

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  62. What a great post. I enjoyed a fox bedding down in our planter, which held a tree trunk sculpture, for six months. It was right next to a window with the reflective sunscreen-coating on it so the fox would see his own reflection - but not us on the other side. Awesome getting up that close.
    On the other side of the "foxes fan club" is a fox literally getting into my daughter's hen house...not one chicken left alive. She is no longer a fan.
    Stay well.
    .

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  63. Beautiful photos!
    Thank you for your identification of my mystery bird - Hermit Thrush - I am thrilled to add a new bird to my birding list!
    Have a great weekend!

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  64. Dear David,
    such a marvelous experience to see these young foxes playing around.
    I enjoyed your pictures. Thanks a lot.

    Best regards, Corrie

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  65. What a lovely post David, very cute these little one's.

    Love from The Netherlands,
    Marianne

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  66. Hi David.
    It must be a great encounter to see these cute foxes!!
    Beautifully captured aswell!
    Also the rabbit is cute.
    Regards, Maria

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  67. It is business as usual for the birds, I love it.
    Amalia
    xo

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  68. Hola David. Son muy muy guapos, me encantan los Zorros y estos son preciosos. Enhorabuena por tan gran trabajo. Abrazos y besos.

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  69. Oh David, I'm melting with happiness in front of these beautiful creatures of nature!
    Not to feel emotions, happiness, joy or love in front of these creatures is not to love life !!!
    The fox is local in France, yet it is also slaughtered here. The human being is my worst nightmare !

    It's a great privilege to see this family living peacefully, thank you David !
    Gros bisous

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