Sunday, May 20, 2012

A Vixen Of The Vermilon River. A Post to MWT and WBW.

 After that great hike last week up the River to the NW, it turned into the week that was. First Boomer, who hates summer with a passion got stung by something or other, and I thought he was going to have to go to the vet, but we tried an antiseptic, and soldiered through. As well the weather turned cool, with rain for a few days. If I don't hike my muscles stiffen up, so both Boom and I were miserable. On Saturday, the weather changed and the sun came out. A perfect day for the sigma lens. It was too hot for Boom so I took off for the west side of the River.
 All the scenic shots are of the upper area. In the first shot you can see the Canada Geese, and they have Goslings, so I thought I'd hike right to the rapids with a stop at the big wetland, despite not being in shape. YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO WATCH THIS AS A SLIDE SHOW, SO CLICK ANY PHOTO AND PROCEED AFTER READING THE COPY.
The first part of the journey was disappointing with nothing very rare.
 But the visit to the big wetland proved really interesting. The 150-500mm is really useful here as the brush and cat tails are not of a height to disguise my sudden appearance and everything moves or takes off.
 So I'm shooting at long distance a moving subject. But these pair of Blue-winged Teals were a great find.
 This Lesser Scaup, a male, is a first for me.
 As I moved down the trail, the American Redstarts showed up. They're another warbler, and are lucky for me, as the last bear photos I got, I was trying to get some Redstart shots. I took a bunch of shots because they're small, and the tree canopy is thick.




The Yellow-rumped Warblers were out also. This whole outing is looking pretty good now.
 This is a flycatcher, an Alder or Least,  I think. If I had to pick one I'd guess an Alder as I don't see any yellow on the chest.They're both very similar.
Rear Shot Of the Flycatcher.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow.

White-throated Sparrow.

 I caught the Female Red-winged Blackbird along with the male.
Male.

Common Grackle.

Crab Apple Blooms.

 We have Crab apple trees at the the apartment. They look healthy, and there are lots of insects to pollinate them. They attract Waxwings, both Cedar and Bohemian.
Johnny Jump Ups.


 In the last post I showed some Barren Strawberries which have a yellow flower. These are the real thing, wild strawberries. Small but delicious.
Wild Violets

Wild Blueberries.

 I saw Eastern Swallowtails, Monarchs, and Azures, but they didn't land. Opposite is a Red Admiral.
American Lady.

 This Red Squirrel was busy scolding me, until he decided to pose.

 This is Boris, the Canadian secret weapon, and the reason we don't need any expensive F-85's. His shell is about a foot long. He's sunning himself. He's just out of the wetland and brought half it with him.
 This head on photo really displays his handsome features. Did you notice his tail in the preceding photo?
 I said I was going to hike to the rapids to get some white water photos and so I did. Some people with their dogs caught up to me. I played with the dogs for a little; they left; and on the opposite side of the River, I saw some brown. I quickly stood, and started shooting. The rest is told in captions. A post to MWT and WBW.
She looked at me closer.

Then moved to the side....

And out popped these guys, her kits.

It became playtime....

Nap time...

Hug time...

Time To Leave... By the way a female fox is called a Vixen; hence the title of the post.

58 comments:

  1. oh, the little fox kits are too cute! almost as cute as your squirrels. ;)

    glad boomer is okay.

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  2. I really enjoyed the slide show Gary! Terrific captures, and those first 3 shots have me thinking of taking a trip north!

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  3. Wow Gary I would have really enjoyed watching the foxes with you. The Johnny Jump Ups are a lovely little flower... great name.

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  4. Now, I love foxes, big & small ones, they are superb. The flowers, the birds and the Turtle, comes out on top.

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  5. Hi Gary, lovely to see blues and greens of Spring in your posts at long last. Wonderful photos as always and the foxes are marvellous!

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  6. A little bit of everything, beautiful birds, flowers, insects and I love the little fox family! What a wonderful experience!

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  7. wow...great shots of the vixen and kits! Nice to see the Redstart and the turtle and everything else. You really got some nice photos of all the wildlife. Glad Boomer didn't suffer too badly from the sting.

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  8. Hi Gary

    Wow I was quite impressed with your Lesser Scaup, Redstart and turtle and then you pulled out the fox photos. What a wonderful post.

    Please wish Boomer well for me.
    Guy

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  9. Hi there - great shots of the fox family - they are a pest here, but in their natural habitat it’s a different matter.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  10. Hei vaan "Gary"...
    On hieno sarja. Lintuja - kasveja - eläimiä.
    Selailin ja katselin ihaillen.
    Kettu-perhe kiinnosti.
    Linnut ovat samoja mitä meilläkin kevääksi tulee pesimään.
    Kettu 'jolkottelee' toisinaan tuosta Mökin vierestä.
    Kevät Terveiset Eko

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  11. Gary, your view of the fox kits is priceless! And who can resist Johnny-Jump-ups?

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  12. Great fox shots! Love the behavior of them playing. That's something I will probably never see here.

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    Replies
    1. Great mother isn't she? She protectively brings them out for a little romp. She's probably training them as she's playing with them.

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  13. I'm glad Boomer was o.k. after the sting. Wonderful shots. I loved seeing so many different animals here and photographed so well. Also lovely flowers and landscapes.

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  14. Glad Boomer is doing ok! Terrific shots for the day, Gary, I love the fox shots, how cute they are and what a great mom they have!! Beautiful birds as always and, of course, the squirrels!! Have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  15. I love this post! Your world is rich and beautiful. Terrific captures as always.

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  16. Amazing how you captured the foxes! Very well done Gary!

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  17. Beautiful scenic place with such lovely birds.

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  18. Beautiful series. I felt like I was there. I love your blog!

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  19. Wow - what an amazing hike. To see a fox play with her kits -what an honour. The blue skies make your pictures so cheerful.

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  20. What a beautiful series of photo's. I love them all. Your dog is such a handsome dog.

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  21. A delightful walk Garry and I'm pleased you left Boomer home .... He would have stressed in the heat. That little Redstat is so very pretty and Boris !! What an interesting character?

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  22. I'm jealous!! Birds, flowers, wildlife all around--how great is that. Your shots of the "vixen" were terrific. What fun to watch them. Mickie :)

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  23. Many getting well wishes for Boomer. Your pictures are able to take me home (as I originally am from a small town in North Germany) and I'm very thankful for that.

    Please have a good Tuesday.

    daily athens photo

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  24. Poor Boomer. Glad no visit to the vet was necessary. Always love to see your feathered friends and today what a collecting of furry friends! Fun shots of the vixen with her kits.

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  25. What can I say? Birds, flowers, butterflies, nature....i am so envious, your place is great. Lots of interesting subjects for different genre. Terrific shots!

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  26. Your hike always yields such beautiful things to see in nature! From scenery, to critters on land and on tree, all are so amazingly pretty!

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  27. Wonderful pictures with exquisite colors of spring, your catches as impressive as ever allow us to enjoy the natural environment in all its beauty.

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  28. What a wonderful hike, so many great sightings. The birds are beautiful and those cute fox are adorable. Great post.

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  29. what a great adventure. a wonderful look at your world.

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  30. Awesome post! The photos are a wonderful representation of your hike.

    I hope Boomer is feeling better.

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  31. The variety of critters you have presented. Truly a delight to watch these.

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  32. what a wonderful show. I love the wild berries best, looks like snow drops.

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  33. Gary,
    I really enjoyed the slide show! That turtle is really good looking...we foud a Red-eared slider near our house the other day and only after we released it in the sea were we happy:)I just love the fox shots:)Thanks for sharing and have a great day!

    Shantana

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  34. What beautiful and interesting animal pictures ! even my beloved squirrel is there. The turtle looking like creature I have never seen.

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  35. Full of wildlife all around. I especially like the red squirrels and the playfulness of the fox family.

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  36. Those are fantastic vixen photos! We have foxes around here but they are usually quite shy.

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  37. Woow, what great photos of the birds and you manage to caught a butterfly to...Im impressed :0)

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  38. That's some day Gary, so many varied and interesting creatures and birds on your hike.

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  39. Beautiful scenery! Love the fox photos!

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  40. Beautiful photos - great hike - and the vixen and her kits are a perfect ending!

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  41. Wow .... nicely dream,
    .. a picture is more beautiful than the other ..
    Best regards, Karin

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  42. A great serie of photos, - lovely to see!

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  43. The crabapple blossoms are gorgeous! I came for WBW and while I enjoyed your feathered captures the fox family was a wonderful highlight!

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  44. Gary,Gary, This is one of your best posts! I love the Red-start singing and the adorable Fox family. You and Boomer are one lucky pair to see this remarkable variety of wildlife.
    Congrats on the male Lesser Scaup sighting!!!

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  45. What amazing photos...a journal or travelogue all on its own. Nature's beauty is captured through your lens.

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  46. The blossoms, the birds, the fox family, and the butterflies...all so beautiful!!

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  47. What a fabulous series of shots! And what a wonderful thing to see the fox and her kits in the wild! Simply amazing to capture!

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  48. Thank you for rendering a visit to "Les Fous du Cap". We would love to see your beautiful country.
    Have a good day.
    Céline & Philippe

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  49. encore une belle balade dans la nature, et tes photos des renards sont magnifiques

    Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

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  50. This is so amazing Gary -- I'm almost speechless. The slide show on the fox family is just incredible in itself. But the birds you saw before that ....just wonderful -- I watched the slide show twice. I love this post.

    I am just sorry that Boomer couldn't enjoy it with you -- I can imagine why he'd hate the hot weather.

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  51. Beautiful!
    A very beautiful Slade of natural animals and flowers!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  52. Love, love, love the vixen and her kits!

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