Seeing each other

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Sly Fox

A fox getting ready for winter visited the front yard

Find Our Way

Tuesday morning, May 21, 2013, I was in New Brunswick, Canada to say good-bye to my Aunt Janette one last time. Since I was staying within 20 miles of the old homestead, I took a drive. I always try to get out there each time I am in New Brunswick. This time, I literally had only minutes to spend while in the area, but that drive, and those minutes are always worth it.

Between the old homestead, where I stopped to stand in The Spot for a moment, and my Uncle Lloyd’s farm, I ran across this youngster. I stopped alongside the road in a low-lying area that’s just a few feet north of the brook that crosses Charleston Road. This little fox was so small, so young, that it hopped more than it ran. I talked to it quietly and waited for a moment to see if it would come out from hiding. I looked around for the momma fox but did not see any sign of her, although I am sure she was somewhere close by. Then the little fox showed itself and I snapped a few pictures in hopes that I had something worthy to show for it.

As I drove back to Woodstock, NB to get ready for the funeral, I thought about this little fox, and I thought about my Aunt Janette. I was going to celebrate my aunt’s life and say good-bye to her while this little life hopping across the road was just beginning. As I drove the old country roads battling both the rains falling from the heavens and the tears flowing from my eyes, I realized that both that little fox and I were just trying to find our way.

This baby fox caught my attention out by the old farm.

This little fox is easily lost among the burdock leaves.

We all just need to find our way.

In search of silence

I walk, in search of silence, somewhere near this place.

I pause and stare at beauty absent of human trace.

 

Stopped, I listen, hoping only to hear the snow fall.

Maybe the breeze as it gently teases the trees so tall.

 

Then the silence breaks, as a squirrel sounds his alert.

I smile, as I trod, in their space, wishing none to hurt.

 

The tracks below belong to the animals living here.

There’s proof of rabbit, fox, squirrel, bobcat, and deer.

 

I carve a place in the snow to sit neath an old hemlock tree.

I rest, I listen while watching this silent world around me.

 

The angles that branches make, years of running to light.

Nearby, the shredded layers of a sapling, an interesting sight.

 

In the hollow of an old oak, I see the cache still not concealed.

Distant, I strain to see through the thickness of limbs, a field.

 

Content with the cold falling around, I enjoy the seconds in full.

I breathe, and wish to see my dear, the moose, even a bull.

 

Minutes pile up but for once that is fine, for I’m at peace.

I pull drifting thoughts back to this tree, wishing it never cease.

 

Leaning on the bark, my eyes close, soon I’m half asleep.

Stirred by the inquisitive song of a black-capped chickadee.

 

Clearing a spot, I circle stones and prepare for a blaze.

Everything set, I get a flame, and into the fire I gaze.

 

At ease, warm, and alone, in silence, an old pine knot pops.

The wind seeks attention, as snow gently falls from the fir tops.

 

My bed of boughs shields the damp cold of the melting snow.

Cosy, I write, and think of all places, this is where I would go.

 

Light fades from the afternoon sky, and the cool gets cold.

I stoke the fire, and watch as a young deer, ponders bold.

Night falls and I wander a few paces to the hardwoods nearby.

I stop to stare up at the clear beauty of the starlit winter sky.

 

Camp fortified, warmth lingers long enough, shadows grow.

I wonder what is watching me as I huddle around the glow.

 

The night is long, just restful enough, ready for a new day.

Improvements to my fortress make me wish I could stay.

 

Visit from the red fox

Early this morning I was sitting on the couch holding Jacqueline, who was wrapped in a blanket, and enjoying the cuddle time with dad, when I noticed some movement outside the window. I looked closer and saw a beautiful red fox out behind the back yard. We don’t have much of a yard really, it’s more of a space between the house and where the woods end. Anyway, I didn’t have access to my camera unfortunately, otherwise I would have added some photos.

Fox on the hunt

For around five minutes I watched this fox dart in and out of view, while it played with its prey. The fox would go up over some rocks and an embankment that climbs towards the woods. Then I would see the big bushy tail appear again and the fox would pounce on its prey. It looked like a chipmunk was the prey in this case and this fox was having some fun at the little guy’s expense. The fox flipped the chipmunk into the air with a flip of its head several different times. When the chipmunk would land, this fox would take its signature leap, straight up, with its back arched, and aim its nose like a harpoon at its prey. The fox repeated this maneuver numerous times from various angles. In total, the choreography was quite impressive and it appeared from my window seat that this fox was having an enjoyable morning.

The fox makes sure I get no closer

All at once the fox seemed bored, lost interest, and meandered away like nothing at all had even happened. And when I say meandered, I mean this fox took a route similar to that of Rafael Nadal when winning a long rally. I know, I know, but  I am sure I am not the first person to put Nadal and fox in the same paragraph. Anyways, back to the hunt outside my window, somewhere out there, the chipmunk was still there. The fox, led by its nose, made its way up over a hill, back towards the den. I have seen this den, it’s huge! I am certain a black bear could get into this den if it so chose.

The fox follows its nose

Then twenty minutes later the fox suddenly appeared. It made a straight line dash across the back yard. Near the place where the fox had danced, as only foxes can do, the fox walked over, scooped up the chipmunk in its mouth and took off. End of visit.

I left a chipmunk around here somewhere

Then, I kid you not, as I was typing the words ‘took off’ in that last paragraph, the fox appeared out back, again. So unbeknownst to you all, I stopped typing and grabbed my camera. This time I got some shots, and once I look through them I am hoping to have a couple worth adding here.

Seriously, I am trying to hunt here

Anyway, the fox only stayed for a minute or two this time. I got a better look and I could really noticed how heavy the coat of fur on this fox is. It’s getting to be that time of the year I guess. This fox is out hunting today, for sure. Maybe I will get to see this beautiful animal again today. It’s always nice to see a visit from the red fox.

I am getting a scent in this direction