Eye contact - Mt. Rainier fox
Red fox [Vulpes vulpes]. The red fox trends toward a charcoal/red color in Mt. Rainier National Park. Unlike snowshoe hares or ptarmigan, the red fox of the park do not change color with the seasons. They are omnivorous and resourceful and will eat everything from mice, to amphibians, to berries.
They can jump a fence over six feet high and are capable swimmers. There sense of hearing is impressive. Most of the fox I have seen I Mt. Rainier Park have been in the alpine zone and have been a dark charcoal color. I have always called them “silver fox” but whether red, black, or something in between, they are the same species in Mt. Rainier Park.
Here is a photo of one of the darker colored fox I have seen in the
park. This photo was taken in 2008:
www.flickr.com/photos/12150532@N04/2695894729/in/set-7215...
This particular fox had recently been for a swim, whether in search of food or just to cross a river or lake, I have no idea. Hunting must be tough this year (2011) as a substantial snow pack remains on much of the alpine meadows. In other years the fox would be actively hunting mice and other prey in meadows covered with wildflowers.
But with all of that said, this fox has made it through the winter and the hunting can only get better as the snow pack rapidly starts to give way. They are fascinating animals to observe and it is always a treat to see them in the park.
Comments and faves
ALL Done, No More Photos added this photo to his favorites. (10 months ago)
ALL Done, No More Photos (10 months ago | reply)
love it
ashallowtown added this photo to her favorites. (10 months ago)
manywinters (10 months ago | reply)
great shot!
manywinters and dbushue added this photo to their favorites.
dbushue (10 months ago | reply)
what a beautiful creature; those eyes are so captivating; love to come across these guys in the wild :-)
LAP75 (10 months ago | reply)
Awesome eye contact here OMT, love it!
LAP75 added this photo to her favorites. (10 months ago)
Bev and Steve (10 months ago | reply)
A lovely portrait! Especially those eyes!
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Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
For Sebastian; Vicky; Darlene; LAP75; and Bev & Steve - - Thank all of you for your comments on the fox photos. How lucky we all are to have places to encounter wildlife, without the need for a trip to a zoo. Wildlife, free to roam, is something worth having the privilege to experience. OMT
ColourPixie (10 months ago | reply)
The eyes are warning you not to laugh at the soaked coat ;) Wonderful portrait and caption.
Janice L (10 months ago | reply)
I love this series. How fortunate you were to have this encounter and how fortunate we are that you are sharing it with us. Thank you!.
Janice L added this photo to her favorites. (10 months ago)
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
ColourPixie - - great read on the fox eyes. I see "Either toss me something to eat or buzz off". As much as I would have liked to have shared a bite with this wet fox, it wouldn't have been the right thing to do....so I didn't. OMT
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
Thank you Janice. I'm hoping the snow pack will continue to melt so the meadows will clear, the wildflowers will come out, and me and the Mt. Rainier foxes...will all be happy. OMT
ladigue_99 (10 months ago | reply)
how cute!
dcfups and A Kingston added this photo to their favorites.
A Kingston (10 months ago | reply)
love this one!
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
ladigue - making eye contact with a wonderful wild creature like this fox, was a great experience. OMT
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
Hi Amy from bluebonnet country (we call 'em lupine out this way) - - always great to get a nice comment from you. According to my Aunt near Denison, the lone star state is feeling the heat lately. Summer has finally arrived out our way and all of us outdoor lovers are now scrambling to get as much hiking, backpacking and back road travel done as we can. Take care and thanks. OMT
pixie1339 added this photo to her favorites. (10 months ago)
pixie1339 (10 months ago | reply)
You got some really great shots of this fox! What a beauty.
Sky Blue~Red Rocks & Jeep added this photo to their favorites. (10 months ago)
Sky Blue~Red Rocks & Jeep (10 months ago | reply)
Love it. Those eyes say it all.
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
Thank you LIsa for your comment and the photo "fav". OMT
oldmantravels (10 months ago | reply)
Cynthia - - THANKS. Yep, eye contact with a wild critter, always "communicates". I much preferred exchanging glances with this cute fox than with another Mt. Rainier resident, we ran into on the trail on a recent hike: www.flickr.com/photos/12150532@N04/5864287836 /in/photostream
OMT
jerzedevil, shuizhuniu, namra38, bladerunner2012, and 5Kizune added this photo to their favorites.