Vicki Fox > Guests > PEI Foxes > 1996 Journal 3Q

PEI Foxes - 1996 Journal : July to September

Jul 1

Full Grey and Bamboo waiting as we drove back. They don't bother to come to sunset ridge and the hutka anymore, they just wait until we drive back and they catch us again. I'm now starting to feed only at the top of the hill, sitting rock, hutka, and sunset ridge. Soon I'll only feed when I interact with them. On the way out, Bamboo was waiting in the road. No sign of Full Grey. Gave her some treats. She came fairly close to me - about 7 or 8 feet. Got back into the car to go home, when Tom said Full Grey is behind us. Sure enough, there she was. She snapped at Bamboo when they went for the same treat. With both of them behind us, we noticed a small fox head peeking out of the brush in front of us. The new arrival ran across the road and picked something up out of the brush; a dead mouse or a bird, and went into the brush only to come out several minutes later. Bamboo came down to make sure the new kit didn't get too much of the dry cat food we were tossing. I stayed in the car, and both kits came right up to it. Calling the other kit Biscuit. Both have nearly identical markings, but Bamboo looks to be 2 to 4 weeks older than Biscuit. Biscuit became quite brave and she, too, came up to the car. Several times Bamboo hip slammed Biscuit out of the way. Suddendly, a third kit appeard. It never came closer than 30 - 35 feet but one could tell it wanted to. It sat and watched Biscuit and Bamboo get all the treats. Biscuit and Bamboo have grey on their faces, grey on their backs, but nearly white hips. The third kit is all red/orange with a full white chest. We named her Blaze. She is about the same size as Bamboo, so we would guess at least 2 - 4 weeks older than Biscuit. They ran into the brush, much barking, and then all 3 came out again. Full Grey merely sat behind the car, benignly watching it all. At one point Biscuit tried to sneak some food from in front of Bamboo. Bamboo tried to hip slam her, missed, and did Pepper's trick of a "rear nelson". Finally Biscuit and Bamboo went into the brush, leaving Blaze alone with us. She never got the nerve to come any closer. During all of this, I could see an adult fox running across the field below us; talk about streaking - it was a red flash across the middle of the field right behind the house. As we rolled away from the "kit area" toward home, Blaze finally found some pieces of cat food.

Jul 2

Again Full Grey met us as we went up. Have eliminated the mound by the brook and the loop road as feeding sites. Coming back, Bamboo was on the sitting rock. She had just finished a hand full of honey nut cheerios. At the top of the hill Full Grey nibbled a little until Biscuit came out. Full Grey then lay in the road and watched us interact with Biscuit for about 20 minutes. Biscuit finally getting bold enough to come up to the car, but only if I'm inside. On the way back, Bamboo and Blaze were sitting half way along the reopend lane watching the men cut hay. I tossed some food, but they were obviously not hungry. At least *all* of the kits do a heads-up when they hear my voice or when I call "kit kit".

Jul 3

Five kits all out in force tonight. Had guests with me and they took an entire roll of film they were so entranced. Full Grey, as usual, was first out. On the way in we stopped for a minute with her an Biscuit. They didn't like the left over broccoli so gave them some pork bits and then went on. Went to the mound by the brook and the loop road (after I said I was going to eliminate these spots) to leave all the rest of the broccoli. Figured if the adults were hungry enough they would eat it. Coming back Full Grey was at sunset ridge. We went there to leave some bits and she went to the hutka where she sat on the steps. I then went to the hutka and she went down the road toward the sitting rock. She kept turning back to see if we were following. Got down to the top of the hill and there Blaze and Biscuit were waiting. Saw another fox peeking out from the trees. Guess Full Grey had the kits assembled and had come looking for us. Full Grey ate the first couple of pieces and then hung back so the kits could interact. Soon, another little kit the size of Biscuit appeared. We're calling her Blossom. Biscuit doesn't run, she "arc's" and leaps. She has the cutest rear end wiggle. Blossom is nearly identically marked and the way we tell the difference is in the gait. Biscuit is also a little bolder. Soon Bamboo showed up. She came right up for food. Blaze was still hanging back. Full Grey went over to Blaze and they "mouth rubbed" or "kissed". Full Grey then came up to the food and Blaze followed her. Both Bamboo and Blaze seem to give way (at least tonight) to Biscuit and Blossom. Biscuit and Blossom are obviously 2 - 4 weeks younger than Blaze and Bamboo. Suddenly, the black kit showed up. H/she is now named Banjo. He (it could be a she, but it acts like a "he") was fairly bold. Not as bold as Biscuit but not as shy as Blaze. He's just a little bigger than Blaze and Bamboo. Broader in the shoulders and stockier. I'd guess maybe a week older than the two older kits. Banjo started for a piece that Blaze was aiming for and Full Grey just moved in between Banjo and the food so Blaze could get it. The 5 kits seem to get along well, but Banjo (at least tonight) always acted as a single, Blaze and Bamboo stuck together and Biscuit and Blossom stuck together. Even to separating to different sides of the lane. Full Grey just sat watching, encouraging, and occasionally coming for a piece of one of the kits needed some encouragement. I would really put money on it that this is three separate litters. What is amazing is that Full Grey, who seems to be a yearling herself, is the designated baby sitter for all of them. Even more amazing is watching her teach them to come up for food. We're now at about a 10' distance with me out of the car, and under the bumper with me in the car. In all the fox literature I've read I've not heard of a case where one fox does all the baby sitting while the adults are out hunting. What a privilege to be part of this exploration. I took some 35mm shots myself and the kits started at the first flash, and then subsequent flashes didn't bother them. All five of them do a heads-up when I call and toss.

Jul 4

All kits out tonight plus Full Grey . . . and Grey Back showed up again. Stayed on the periphery, but still visible. More about that later. The routine seems to be the same each night. Full Grey and one or two kits meet the car going up and then as many as are present come out for the car's descent. Left strawberry hulls on the sitting rock and went right to sunset ridge, eliminating the back (loop road) feeding areas. As she did last night, Full Grey came up to "get me" and bring me down. She waited at the hutka while I 'fed' sunset ridge and then moved away while I 'fed' the hutka. She led me down the lane. When I got to the sitting rock, Grey Back had eaten all the ham bits but left the strawberry hulls. All the kits (except maybe Blaze - didn't see her unless she and Bamboo were trading places) were waiting. Biscuit comes right up to me now and Full Grey came to within 3 feet tonight. I can be out of the car, but if I stand next to the car it seems to help their confidence level. I had brought a few big pork chop bones for the adults and some little non splintery bones for the kits. Full Grey was so close I tossed her a big bone. She started chewing it when Biscuit came up to investigate. I couldn't believe my eyes - Full Grey abandoned the bone to Biscuit. Maybe she was just checking to see if it was ok for youngsters. Blossom got a little bone, as did Banjo. Bamboo hung back tonight - or was it Blaze? (I need to see them together to tell them apart.) Blossom ran up to Full Grey and did the submission posture of belly scrubbing and tail wagging and for some reason Full Grey turned on her. Blossom screamed and carried on like she was mortally wounded. Full Grey had no food, so I don't see why it happened. Unfortunately I was alone tonight and seemed to have the food dish in my hand when I should have had the video camera - and vice versa. Needless to say I didn't record that altercation. A few minutes later I was tossing scalloped potatoes and Full Grey ate one and then led Blossom over to some. Go figure. Once again I was caught without the camera in hand when Banjo and Biscuit scrapped for a minute. Again, couldn't see the reason. I tossed Full Grey another adult bone and she chewed it for awhile and then when Banjo came to see it, she left it to him. All this time Grey Back was watching from a distance - the reopened lane. Biscuit seemed fairly serious about eating tonight and Blossom had more fun running from the trees on one side of the lane, scooping up some food as she crossed the lane, and into the trees on the other side. I was finally down to milk bone. Full Grey sniffed some but didn't eat any. It seems she checks each new food I throw out. The kits love milk bone however. Came back to tell Tom about the venture and since he's never seen Banjo we drove back up. By this time Full Grey was already at the hutka and had taken the big pork chop bone I had left on the porch and all of the potatoes. Coming down we say Banjo and Grey Back together on the reopend lane. Banjo decided not to join the crowd again, but sat with Grey Back to watch the goings on. They finally trotted off together. This time Bamboo and Blaze were out together and curled up with each other in the lane to snooze while Biscuit and Blossom played around with the milk bone. Very curious . . . does Banjo belong to Grey Back and was escorted over for the evening play time? When Banjo stands next to Full Grey they are just about the same size . . . except Banjo is obviously a kit. (Banjo really looks like a German Shepard [Alsation] pup.) As Alice would say, curioser and curioser. I only have 2 more nights and then I leave for more than 2 weeks. Tom will be here another week and at least keep them on the feeding schedule. With so many foxes there is no worry about exceeding my self-imposed limit of no more than 50 calories per fox per day.

Jul 4

About 10:00 p.m. Tom was talking to a couple of neighbors in the back yard out by the old well house which is now a tool & garden shed. One of the neighbors said "There's a fox." Tom turned around and there was Banjo peeking around the corner of the building. Tom moved toward him and Banjo retreated to the wood pile behind the well house. They stood and looked at each other for a few seconds and then Tom looked up the lane. There were 2 other kits running away up the lane. At 10:00 the light was fading and Tom couldn't see who the other kits were except to tell by their tails they were kits. Banjo's color is so distinctive he's easy to recognize. Banjo then faded into the darkness.

Jul 5

Another milestone tonight. Biscuit and Bamboo were waiting as we drove up. No sign of Full Grey. Hmm - old enough to be out without a sitter? Bamboo went into the trees but Biscuit looked so pleading we stopped. She comes to within 18 inches of me now to get cheerios. We left cheerios on the sitting rock and went on to sunset ridge. As we retraced the lane to the hutka to leave food there, we saw Banjo sitting right by the lane. I put a pork chop bone on the hutka deck (porch) and some cheerios in front. I stood in front of the car. Banjo really wanted that pork chop bone. He ate a few cheerios, circled around to that side of the porch, stood on a cinder block (temporary step) with front paws on the porch and looked longingly at it. He jumped down, came to within 5 feet for some pork fat and ran *underneath* the hutka coming out the other side. (It's up on supports). Suddendly I noticed Grey Back in the field about 70 feet away watching the whole thing. I jumped when Banjo sprang out from underneath the hutka right in front of me. That caused him to jump - but not far. After several more tours of the underside of the hutka (entering east and exiting west, re-entering north and exiting south) as if to show us all the ways it could be used, He finally jumped up on the porch and got the bone. The hutka has a porch/deck on 3 sides and he went all the way around to the 3rd side to start chewing. As we drove down to the top of the hill where the other kits were waiting, we could see Banjo sitting on the porch watching us go. It almost appeared as if he was acting the good host and waving us good-bye. Bamboo was on the sitting rock hoovering it all up. Biscuit was waiting, ears alert and forward, and an intelligent expression on her face, but with a look that said "it's about time." She, too, got a bone and was up to my feet. Tom got out of the car and stood by the door which she allowed. Suddenly Banjo appeared at my right and enjoyed some cheerios. I tossed some milk bone that Biscuit and Banjo both went for. Biscuit gekked and snarled, opened her mouth wide to show her teeth and Banjo lowered his head in submission, flattened his ears, and slunk away. He is about 3 times Biscuit's size. What a little dynamo she is. Bamboo stayed behind us near the sitting rock, cleaning up what had fallen in the grass. We "played" with Banjo and Biscuit for about 15 minutes and Bamboo finally decided to join us. She came from behind to about 20 feet behind the car and then detoured into the spruce trees where she circled and came out about 20 feet in front of us. She just lay in the road watching us. Finally Full Grey appeared on the scene coming up behind Bamboo. As Full Grey moved toward us, so did Bamboo. Biscuit ran to greet her and did the belly scrub tail wagging posture of sheer joy and love. Banjo ignored her. I tossed a big bone toward Full Grey, but Biscuit got it. I tossed another which Full Grey enjoyed with no competition. Bamboo never did come close. No sign of Blaze nor Blossom tonight. With no breeze tonight the black flies were out in force. Even tho I had my mosquito net suit on, they got inside the trousers and inside the hood until I thought I would go nuts. Finally begged Tom to take me home. Left a bunch of strawberry hulls at the end of the garden. If the foxes don't take them, the birds will.

Jul 6

Full Grey curled up at the top of the hill. As soon as she saw the car she ran into the spruce trees and gave a cross between a growl and a bark. Soon 3 little fox heads popped out. Do they really communicate like this? Bamboo, Biscuit and Blossom got some cheerios as we drove past. They were all ready to play, but I wanted to get back to the brook and loop road to leave some food. I'm really vacillating on this, but I realized the adults go to those spots (not the kits) and this is the time when they are run most ragged hunting for the family that has growing appetites. On the way down we could see Boo cleaning the sitting rock, but she melted into the trees. We stopped at the top of the hill and to my dismay, no one was there. We should have stopped on the way in. I kept calling and finally Biscuit came out. She is very definite about what she likes. She only likes the center pieces of the bread and not the crust. Every time she picked one up that had crust on it, she dropped it and searched out a center piece. I will NOT start cutting the crusts off the bread for the foxes. Blossom came out to investigate, grabbed a piece of bread (with crust) and disappeared. Biscuit loves cheerios. The wind was against me and about a dozen landed right around my feet. After she gleaned what could be had farther away, she came right up between my feet and got the rest. Blaze came out of the trees to the left and sat and watched us. I threw her a bone with quite a bit of meat on it, but she only scooted 2 or 3 paces closer. Finally after about 5 minutes, she gathered her courage and made a dash across the road to the trees on the right. Several minutes later, she crossed again. Some time after that Tom saw a fox sitting out at the bottom of the field by the trees. This one had a dark throat like Boo, but wasn't close enough for us to tell for sure.

Jul 7

Tom's report via phone. Full Grey, Grey Back and Banjo met Tom on the way back. He chatted with them for a while. Banjo and Grey Back seemed to be preparing for the Olympics - they kept racing from the top of the hill to the sitting rock and back. Tom was coming back from leaving food at the brook and the loop road when he met Full Grey and Grey Back coming to sample tonight's menu. Full Grey cleaned up the bits at the mound by the brook and Grey Back went directly back to the loop road. Tom took a circular route to sunset ridge past the log den (not being used at all this year) and was astonished to see Full Grey waiting for him there. Full Grey then went on to the hutka where she jumped up on the porch and waited to see what Tom would serve tonight. Back down by the top of the hill Banjo was still hanging around, along with Blossom - at least Tom thinks it was Blossom - who made a short appearance.

Jul 9 - 13

Reviewing the video Tom shot it appears all the kits, with the exception of Blaze, come right up to the car and/or Tom now. Banjo and Biscuit are the boldest, tho Bamboo is fairly brave as is Blossom. At one point Full Grey chased/raced the car just as Pepper (and occasionally) used to. It could well be that Full Grey actually is Abby. Grey Back is still around and one night both Grey Back, Full Grey and all five of the kits were out. Tom shot some video of a red adult that could have been Nervous Nellie; not seeing the tale I wasn't sure. They definitely wait for the "fox hunt" to start and are smart enough to tell time. They have grown in the week since I've seen them and will probably have grown more before I see them next week. The kits still rough and tumble, wrestle and play. Biscuit picked up a stick to play with that she would share with no one. Full Grey and Bamboo got into a mouth biting episode; don't know if it was serious business, or a kind of play we haven't observed before. Full Grey no longer holds back for the kits to eat first . . . she's right in there with them now.

Jul 23

Touring the farm this morning spotted a large red adult. Called, but she dashed away. Tonite, Biscuit came out as soon as I called. She comes right up to my feet and seemed to pick up right where we left off. Blaze came out and sat farther down in the road. She would start toward food bits, but think better of it and not continue. She finally curled up in the road and watched Biscuit get all the treats. They were both waiting for me on my return trip. Biscuit refused to get out of the road. Does she know that if she stands there I can't go?

Our next door neighbor stopped in tonight to bring me up to date. The neighbor's house is as close as it would be in the city, as a little piece of frontage was sold off to the original owner's relatives. I tell you this so you can imagine how close it is. It's convenient as they can see who comes and goes at our house when we're not here. Anyway! They have a strawberry bush in their garden and came out one evening to find a fox eating their strawberries. It has rained alot this past week they tell me, and one morning they came out to find their garage door just covered with paw prints, as if someone was scratching at it - or 5 or 6 somebodies. The only thing they could figure out is the garage security light attracts moths, and the foxes must have been trying to catch them. The scratches on his door did not make the man too happy. The woman was unhappy because one of her special plants has been beaten down each night like a cat, or dog or fox curled up in it. Each morning she tied it back up, and the next morning it's beaten down again. With all of this, our neighbors brought over chicken gizzards for the foxes tonight.

The neighbors also tell me they have looked out a couple of times and seen a fox sitting by our back door. Usually about 10:00 p.m. I guess they were looking for their "food stamps".

A sad note: One of the kits was killed on the road in front of the house Saturday. The neighbors across the street saw it and got someone to clean it up. No one can tell the foxes apart except me (understandable since I don't let others see them) so I have no idea who was killed. To them a fox is a fox. At least from tonight's visit, I know Biscuit and Blaze are living. I should imagine an adult would be "road wise" by now so have to assume it was one of the kits.

P.S. It was the last few minutes of twilight and something made me jump in the car and drive back. Playing in the road at the top of the hill were Banjo, Bamboo, Biscuit and Blaze. Banjo and Biscuit came right up to the car for milk bone. Bamboo hung back, but finally came to within 12 feet or so. Blaze stayed safely out of range at her customary 30 - 40 feet. I praised them for being so grown up as to be without a baby sitter. Only Blossom was missing from the group. Banjo chases the car just as Pepper did. Coming back, Banjo was waiting at the top of the hill having raced me to it (and beat me). I was tossing some cheerios when I happened to look up at the hay roll near the top of the hill. (These hay rolls dot the field and are huge - 5 feet tall or more.) UP ON TOP of the hay roll sat a red adult with a dark chest. She had been watching the whole exchange with Banjo. Biscuit came running up and I nattered away for awhile. Meanwhile, the adult (could it be Nervous Nellie? She never was still long enough for me to see if she had a dark chest) just watched. I threw out some cheerios and left. Both Bisuit and Banjo chased/raced me down. I looked in the rear view mirrow and the adult had left the hay roll and was eating the treats at the top of the hill.

Jul 24

Biscuit, Banjo and Blaze waiting for us tonight. Had some chicken bones, chicken skin and bread for treats. Biscuit and Banjo were pretty evenly matched as far as receiving tidbits on the way up. Blaze stayed in the background, but watched. Did the circuit, left a huge bone at the ledge on the loop road, the "tail end" of the chicken at the mound by the brook, another bone and some bread at sunset ridge and a breast bone, skin, and bread at the hutka. Coming down, Biscuit was at the end of the reopened lane waiting for us. Banjo was at the top of the hill waiting. We stopped the car by the sitting rock and Biscuit came right up to my feet again. Banjo came racing up to where we were and I tossed a drumstick to him. He was just reaching for it when Biscuit came tearing over, gekked, snarled, and chased him away. Now you must imagine little Biscuit, half the size of Banjo, who tho a kit is the same size as an adult fox, tearing around like a whirling dervish "claiming" all the pieces. Banjo came close again, ears back, head lowered in submission, and Biscuit left her area and came over to Banjo, hip slammed him, and chased him several feet away again. Banjo just stood there like a big dumb ox. By this time Blaze had come to her customary distance to watch "an evening at the fights." Banjo finally decided to circumvent the little tyrant and went into the line of trees and brush that line the reopend lane by the sitting rock and followed that to the end where he came out behind the car. I tossed him a quarter of a sugared donut which he finally got as Biscuit was busy hoovering cheerios in front of the car. I tossed cheerios to Banjo, and the dumb beastie ran into the trees and came out where Biscuit was. This time she really lit into him; mouth open, paws flailing, the whole bit. Banjo, much subdued, slunk away and went down to where Blaze was sitting. Tom took his foot off the brake so the car just rolled toward the top of the hill without any engine noise. Another breakthrough - I tossed a drumstick to Blaze and she came and got it. Banjo stood there looking forlorn, so Tom gave Biscuit some bread from the driver's side of the car and I tossed Banjo a bone from my side. Banjo got the bone and was prancing around with it when Biscuit evidently thought he was having too much fun and chased him into the spruce trees. Blaze got a piece of sugared donut when Biscuit wasn't looking. Biscuit chased the car down the hill on Tom's side where he tossed a cheerio now and again which allowed me to tear up bread and leave on the other side. Banjo and Blaze each got some. I went back an hour later and all the "good stuff" from the hutka was gone, but the bread remained. A grey adult followed me up the hill and checked out sunset ridge. Since the treats there had already been taken, the poor fox was disappointed. I couldn't see the markings on the rear end to determine who it was. It looked like Full Grey, but didn't behave like her. The tail was ratty like Grey Back's, only more so. I suppose they could have shed out more in the last couple of weeks. Anyway, not yet sighted are Blossom and one of the Greys. All else accounted for - tho there is NO accounting for Biscuit's manners.

Jul 25

Blossom appeared tonight so all kits are accounted for. On the way back, Banjo was the first one out of the trees. Tom trimmed the lower branches of the spruce trees by the corner at the top of the hill so I will have a shot at tossing some tid bits to Banjo. I tossed a nice drumstick to Banjo and he was almost upon it when whirring out of the bushes came Biscuit dashing for where we were. Banjo saw her, and though he was only inches from the drumstick, slunki away and left it there in the open until Biscuit arrived. I was able to get a few treats to Banjo by tossing some to Biscuit at my left and then some to Banjo at my right. However after just three successes, Biscuit was not about to be foiled again and this time ignored the toss to the left and went right for Banjo's toss. Once again the poor thing slunk away. Blaze appeared and watched all this from her usual 30 - 40 feet. Eventually, she came up to join the gang. She was going for a nice piece of chicken skin when Biscuit ran over to it and growled. Blaze put her ears back, lowered her head, but kept right on going and achieved the treat. Banjo spent all his time circling in and out of the trees, in front and behind the car trying to find some place Biscuit wasn't. Did the circuit and came back by way of the log den. When I got to sunset ridge, there was either Blaze or Bamboo waiting at the hutka. Left scalloped potatoes at the ridge and as I started the car for the hutka, the fox took off in the direction of the mound by the brook. Perhaps I've been deceiving myself that the kits didn't know last year's feeding sites and the adults were getting the treats in the woods. I waited by the sitting rock and Biscuit was patiently sitting on top of it. Banjo was down at the top of the hill and Blaze was half-way between. (So it must have been Bamboo heading for the woods.) Once again Banjo came galloping toward me and skidded to a halt when he got close to Biscuit. Again, spent all his time weaving in and out and around trying to find a safe spot. None found. I inched half way down to where Blaze was and threw a whole mess of chicken into the grass. Biscuit chased Banjo off. Blaze didn't move. I then headed for the top of the hill and Biscuit followed. Blaze then moved into the grass and got most of the previously tossed chicken. Banjo finally got a crouton as Biscuit was enjoying honeycomb cereal. Blossom poked her head out and was halfway into the lane to get a milk bone when Biscuit chased her back into the trees. Blossom tried again farther down the lane, with the same results. Banjo crossed to the other side and I thought it was save and tossed a chicken back when like a jet stream, Biscuit appeared and chased him off. I gave up and went home. They need Full Grey or some baby sitter to keep control. With the exception of Blossom, all the others are bigger than Biscuit - and I assume several weeks older. I have no idea why they let her terrorize them like this. (She is awful cute tho.)

Jul 26

Bamboo was in the lane as I drove up. She looked at me and then trotted off across the field accompanied by a red adult. I wonder if it was her night to hunt with the adults. As I rounded the corner and stopped at the top of the hill, Biscuit came bounding out. Blaze followed and kept her usual distance, but watching every move. We chatted and I tossed steak tidbits before moving on. Did the circuit and when I got to the hutka, what a surprise. A large portion of fresh scat on the porch/deck. Now I've been leaving food there to encourage them to come close to the deck, but I'm not sure how I like this use of it. Nice to know that someone likes it well enough to leave a calling card. Again, it could be what they think of my cooking. I stopped on the raceway halfway between the hutka and the end of the reopened lane. I could see a kit on the sitting rock eating the treats from there, and another sitting on a stone at the end of the reopened lane. They were reds, but from that distance I couldn't tell who. Suddenly Banjo came up the lane and circled the car several times, finally settling down to some tossed treats. Banjo's problem is that he turns his back every time I raise my arm to toss. Then he turns around to watch, but which time the toss has already landed. I tried calling "kit kit" and hesitating before the toss. It worked some of the time. The kit from the sitting rock turned out to be Blaze and she sat on another rock at the end of the reopened lane. Both kits watched as Banjo and I perfected the call/toss. Banjo finally left me and went on to the hutka. I could see in my rear view mirror that the scat was either his or at least it didn't bother or deter him. He got the treats from there. I finally got back inside the car and both red kits cames up. The one who came the closest was Biscuit. I couldn't believe that she could sit there and watch Banjo be fed. I started to become quite hopeful. Blaze came to within 20 feet but no closer. I finally released the brake and the car rolled to the top of the hill. Biscuit and Blaze both chased it down. Biscuit came in front of the car where she got cereal and Blaze came to the side of the car where she got chicken. I left a bunch of tough steak and chicken at the top of the hill. Before long Banjo came down and was cleaning up the hill top. Biscuit didn't mind as long as she got her cereal bits. Blaze came forward and got some steak. What a breakthru. Suddenly Biscuit went beserk. She ran from piece to piece just to chase the others away. She would get her mouth on a piece, drop it and run to the next. She was gekking and arching her back. Blaze lowered her head and put her ears back, but went right on doing what she was doing. Banjo went into the trees. I didn't want to aggravate the situation so said good-bye and started home. Biscuit chased the car around the curve and to the culvert.

Jul 27

Fast trip tonight as other things going on. Biscuit came out to meet us on our way back. Banjo showed up but just sat and watched. Made the circuit and stopped on the raceway on the way back. Banjo was sitting on top of a hay roll, Biscuit was sitting on a stone at the end of the reopened lane, and Blaze was sitting in the "triangle" between the sitting rock, spruce trees and the lane at the top of the hill. Banjo jumped down and ran to greet us. He stopped about 40 feet away. In all fairness to Biscuit, she gave Banjo every opportunity. I tossed a dozen pieces of steak, croutons and some milk bone and Banjo just sat and watched. He inched a little closer, than would sit again. We closed the car windows against the mosquitos and just sat and waited. Finally after 10 minutes and Banjo was still sitting out of food distance, Biscuit jumped off the rock and started trotting toward us. It was then Banjo decided to move. Biscuit came up to us, ignored the food, turned and ran toward the top of the hill in a "follow me" move. Tom let the car roll down. Banjo, instead of going to where the food had been tossed, followed the car. I really don't think he's too bright - or perhaps just not very hungry. Tossed cereal and Biscuit (the little harridan) ran from piece to piece "claiming" and Banjo just kept circling around. Finally after Blaze came to join the group and distracted Biscuit, Banjo did get one piece of meat. Way down the path behind the spruce trees near where the den by the spring is I saw another red sitting and watching. Too far away to see who it was. I thought the kits were without sitter, but perhaps an adult is watching from a distance. No sign of Bamboo or Blossom lately. And absolutely no adults up close and personal. This was the case in previous years. Once the kits got old enough, the adults just stayed out of sight.

Jul 28

Thank heaven Full Grey was with the kits tonight and kept some kind of discipline. As I drove up, Full Grey was at the bend in the lane, Biscuit was running up and down the road as if to hurry me up, Banjo was sitting on the hill top and Blaze was beneath the spruce trees. I tossed a chicken back to Full Grey and she settled right down with it. A drumstick to Biscuit, a wing complete with meat to Banjo, and a few minutes later, a drumstick to Blaze as she came out of the trees. Biscuit had to run right over to see what Blaze was getting. Blaze lowered her head and put her ears back in submission but kept on coming. Next thing I knew a streak of grey whizzed past, and Full Grey put herself between Biscuit and Blaze and the bone. FG gently shouldered Biscuit out of the way. Bamboo and a smaller red (I assume it had to be Blossom) appeared at the bend of the lane, but I was too far up the hill to toss to them. They watched for awhile and disappeared into the trees. I tossed a fairly large piece of chicken fat to FG; however, Banjo ran to see what it was and she let him have it. Too much fat for a kit. Hope he had sense enough not to eat it all or else he'll have loose stools. I've noticed that they seem to start eating something fairly large, and then leave it in favor of milk bone or a piece of cereal. In that sense, they do share. Biscuit ran up to the sitting rock and sat there waiting. I dropped a few croutons for her and went on the circuit. FG chased the car along the raceway but then disappeared. Did the mound by the brook and the loop road and on my return FG was waiting in the T junction. Left some bits at sunset ridge and when I got to the hutka noticed that even tho Tom had cleaned up the scat from the porch, they are still claiming the place. This time fresh scat was on the new patio stones Tom had made a walkway with. Left some chicken wings and then stopped on the raceway between the hutka and the end of the reopened lane. Biscuit was running toward the hutka, Blaze was sitting on top of a hay roll, and Banjo was sitting in the middle of the field. Biscuit put on the brakes suddenly. Could almost see her paws smoking. I looked behind me, and there was FG on the deck of the hutka. Biscuit arced back to the end of the lane where she posed like Lorelei on a rock. Banjo and Blaze both came toward the car and got some milk bone - the only thing that carries in the wind. FG came streaking past and positioned herself in the spruce trees. Biscuit did not interefere with Banjo and Blaze - probably due to FG's presence. I finally rolled down and Banjo, Biscuit and Blaze all followed the car. I could see Bamboo down the trail toward the den by the spring but she has turned shy all of a sudden. Tossed out cereal and came home. Biscuit followed the car halfway to the house.

Jul 29

Wouldn't you know that just because I had both cameras with me tonight nothing cute happened. All the kits are growing and getting to the gawky stage. Banjo greeted me first and got a toss of some boiled potato. He reacted in a typical way by turning his back, circling around and not making a dash for it until Biscuit appeared on the scene. I guess some people (and foxes) just like to be victims. Blaze is inching closer and not waiting so long before joining the crowd. On my way back, Biscuit and Banjo were behind the car chasing it toward the sitting rock. There in front of the spruce trees were 3 more red foxes. As soon as I got close enough to perhaps identify them, two melted into the trees leaving Blaze. Biscuit growled at her, but Blaze came for some potato anyway. Banjo just circled.

Jul 30

Banjo and Biscuit were sitting at the edge of the pine planation in the field next to the house where it borders the neighboring farm. As soon as they saw/heard the car leave our backyard I could see them streaking across the field. We arrived at the top of the hill simultaneously. Biscuit actually let Banjo get a few pieces of honey comb cereal. Bamboo appeared, got the end of a hot dog bun with hot dog inside and went under the trees to eat it. Did the circuit and coming back there was NO ONE waiting. I couldn't believe it. Stopped the car and called "kit kit" and Banjo appeared. He actually got some pieces of bread, but even though we were alone, still did the circling bit. If one couldn't see his tail, he looks just like a German Shepard/Alsation pup. Banjo and I ran out of things to say so I started home. When I got to the curve at the bottom of the spruce trees, I saw Blaze sunning herself in the field. I called "kit kit" but she didn't move. Suddenly I heard a 'squeak' and there was Biscuit at my feet. She got a milk bone. Bamboo emerged from the trees and sat and watched. Banjo was cleaning up the cat food at the top of the hill. I dropped a hand full of croutons and rolled away. Bamboo came forward, standing next to Biscuit, both eating in harmony. I stopped to watch. At one point, Biscuit lifted one paw to Bamboo's face. Bamboo just pushed it away with her head. Then they "kissed" (did a mouth-to-mouth) and went back to eating. Banjo was just coming down to join them as I left.

Jul 31

Biscuit was waiting by the culvert, Banjo by the bend at the bottom of the spruce trees, and 4 or 5 other foxes at the far edge of the field next to the house. One ran towards the lane, another into the trees, and Blossom was left sitting up with another red who's head just showed above the grass. Whether it was Blaze or an adult I couldn't tell. I *think* another ran towards the ditch. Anway, I stopped at the top of the hill and Biscuit, Bamboo and Banjo all got pieces of bread. Of course, Biscuit abandoned her bread for the drumstick I tossed. Tossed part of the chicken back into the trees where Banjo had run, and Biscuit took the drumstick with her and lay down on the chicken back piece. Did the circuit and coming back, Banjo was at the sitting rock. Biscuit stayed in the trees of the reopened lane, and an adult was in the triangle between the sitting rock and the spruce trees. Couldn't figure out why Biscuit was giving Banjo a clear field. Bamboo got some milk bone and seemed satisfied as she ran toward the spruce trees. As I started toward the top of the hill I could see the adult was Grey Back. Left a baggie full of little chicken pieces at the top of the hill. Grey Back ran to it as did Biscuit and Bamboo. When Banjo finally showed up, Grey Back chased Biscuit and Bamboo away from the chicken and left it all to Banjo. You'll remember in earlier reports Grey Back showed decided favoritism to Banjo. Grey Back looks rattier than ever, but his/her tail at the base that had been nothing but "rope" is starting to get a few guard hairs on it. Still not a full brush. Blossom poked her head out but Biscuit chased her off. No further sign of Blaze. Threw out a hand full of cereal and Grey Back, Biscuit and Bamboo ate together harmoniously. Banjo still trying to figure out the chicken pieces at the top of the hill.

Aug 1

Banjo ran down as far as the culvert to meet me going up tonight. He then weaved in an out of the spruce trees chasing the car to the top of the hill. Bamboo was sitting and waiting half-way up. Tossed boiled new potatoes to them. Bamboo would sit under the trees and run out to grab a toss and take it back under the trees with her. Even tho she is in plain sight, it must be a comfort level for her. Banjo ate one piece of potato and then no more; he plainly didn't like it. I notice he loves stale bread and milk bone. He must prefer the crunchier textures whereas last year's kits, Pepper and Abby, preferred soft textures. Suddenly Full Grey appeared looking extremely shaggy. She shared right in the tosses. There was no need to protect Banjo tonite as Bamboo was not agressive. Did the circuit and coming back met Full Grey on top of the mound by the brook where she had cleaned everything up and was on her way to the loop road. By the time I got to sunset ridge, I could see Banjo leaving the hutka. Probably disappointed as I hadn't been there yet. Bamboo was sitting at the top of the hill waiting, but ran into the trees as soon as I got close. Banjo was down by the curve at the end of the spruce trees, and pulled a Bamboo. Would run out for a piece and take it into the trees with him. Threw out a bunch of croutons and left for home. Both Bamboo and Banjo were in the middle of the lane sharing the spread as I left.

Aug 2

As we left the house we could see Banjo waiting at the end of the spruce trees and 2 reds waiting in the field next to the house. By the time we got to the top of the hill, Blaze and Bamboo had joined Banjo. Banjo just doesn't like anything soft. Picked up and dropped bread in favor of milk bone. Blaze and Bamboo each got a piece and ran into the trees. Biscuit appeared and hoovered everthing up. Full Grey came running up and got a few pieces of bread and then she moved off and curled up - still watching but not participating. Banjo is so handsome - but I don't think a candidate for Mensa. Full Grey watched us go toward the brook. Tom has mowed around the brook so I can see the water flowing again. Left honeycomb on the mound and leftover chicken at the loop road. Tom was driving so we took the short road back and came down between the two back fields. There was Full Grey waiting at the end of the lane. She had cleaned up the mound and was on her way to the loop road. She waited for us, accepted a milk bone, and trotted off to the loop road. By the time we got to sunset ridge, we could see Banjo on the deck of the hutka waiting. We just sat for awhile. Finally he came running toward the car. Our starting up startled him away and he ran toward the reopened lane. Left boiled potatoes at the hutka. After we started down and Banjo went to investigate the hutka menu, but since it was soft stuff, left it alone. By this time Full Grey was at sunset ridge. Banjo, Blaze and Biscuit got some farewell treats at the top of the hill. When we got to the bottom of the spruce trees we could see Bamboo shortcutting thru the trees to get to where the others were. No sign of Blossom. Full Grey is showing much more red now that she's shed the grey guard hairs. Still has a full ruff around her face.

Aug 3

Late last night Tom was out in the yard putting things away when he saw a fox (didn't know who) trot around the mowed areas, sat on our lawn starting at our house, then proceeded to trot into the garden. My goodness, they really take over when the lights go down. This morning our neighbors (the one with the paw prints on the door) told us they were having a camp fire at the back of their property last night and a fox came out of our garden and sat and watched them.

A lovely hot summer day so took the golf cart all around looking for scat. With all these foxes here there is an amazing absence of scat. Found fresh droppings (no older than a day) by the first turn around. At the second turn around where the Osprey road branches off (used to be lower spring road) found very loose scat about 30 feet in. Plenty of berry pips in in. About half way along the Osprey road another area of loose scat with pips. I'm surprised foxes are so deep in the woods. THIS WAS ALL the relatively new scat found. Amazing.

Tonight Biscuit and Banjo were waiting by the bottom of the spruce trees. We could see 3 other foxes in the clearing by the edge of the field. Full Grey is getting so red on her head and shoulders now that sitting down one can't see any grey. Blaze came out for one treat, Banjo got a bone (missed all the meat) and Biscuit got the rest. Grey Back was waiting for us by the brook. Waited until we left until she actually went to the mound. Completing the circuit and coming out, Banjo, Blaze and Biscuit were waiting. Had lots of small pieces of chicken and a few bones with meat attached. Biscuit got *every* one of them. All she has to do is growl and Banjo is completely intimidated. We could see a fox looking out from under the trees, but didn't know who it was. Finally it emerged and it was Full Grey. She just sat and observed. Biscuit let Banjo get all the milk bone while she cleaned up the chicken. Blaze came out and I tossed her a bone with lots of meat on it. She was just a couple of feet from it when Biscuit snaked it out from under her nose. Blaze just stood there as if confident I would make it right. Tried to, but Biscuit got it again. Biscuit had far more than she should tonight. We did throw a bunch of chicken to Full Grey who ate it leisurely - and in peace. Banjo and Blaze got croutons.

Aug 4

Bamboo, Blaze, Banjo, Biscuit and Full Grey out tonight. Another fox in the distance that could have been Blossom. Our 10 day absence last month made a great difference in their behavior. The night before Tom left they were right up to his feet. The first day back, Biscuit had become dominant and is the only one coming up to our feet. Banjo just stretched out in the grass and watched the procedure tonight until I rolled away; then he joined the others searching out the dry cat food I had tossed. The most interesting thing tonight was Bamboo was about 20 feet away watching Biscuit and Full Grey hoover around. Blaze was hiding in the trees and Banjo observing. Suddenly Bamboo went over to one of the hay rolls. There must have been a hole there, as her head disappeared. When it popped up, he was chewing something that was more than a tiny morsel. She put her head down again, and came up with something that could have been a mouse in her mouth. Some brush, sticks, etc. were stuck to whatever it was. The item hung out of both sides of her mouth. She trotted toward the top of the field with it and disappeared behind another hay roll. Several minutes later she was back. The hole was obviously a cache. None of the others were remotely interested in what she was doing. She may be old enough to hunt and make her own caches (which I seriously doubt). More likely the adults make caches for the kits as a "snack" bar or a "fix your own" meal. None of the books or papers I've read suggest such a thing however. In any case, it was very interesting.

Aug 5

Can't believe I was wondering about scat a couple of days ago. Fresh scat tonite at every feeding site. It's so cute to see all the foxes lined up in the field next to the house and to see some of them dash for our interaction spot as soon as the car starts up the hill. Tonight 2 of them stayed back; they were still there when I drove down. Banjo, Blaze and Biscuit tonight. Full Grey joined them later. On the initial go-around Full Grey doesn't scamper for treats; she just watches. However she was in a very bad mood tonight. Blaze just walked out of the spruce trees and FG sprang up and chased her into the trees, out the other side and back in. FG then came back and plopped down where she had been. A few minutes later, dear hesitant Banjo just have walked too close to her because FG sprang up again and chased him off. As soon as I started for the back fields, FG was trotting along next to the car. I detoured via the short road and coming down the loop road from the top so the ledge would be on the driver's side. FG was waiting for me at the ledge. She got apple pieces. Coming back Blaze watched from under the trees, Banjo from the middle of the lane, and Biscuit just hoovered. As soon as I started the car up, Blaze came bounding out of the trees and got her share. Banjo finally snuck up and got some milk bone. Full Grey appears to have abandoned her responsibility as a baby sitter/arbitrator and now looks at the kits as competition. All of her loose coat is gone now, and she's not a bad looking yearling. Looking at video Tom took last month when I was gone, Full Grey met White Hips at the mound by the brook. She kow towed and showed much submissiveness to White Hips. I'm not much of a disciplinarian when it comes to animals eating I guess; Banjo will only eat crunch stuff, Blaze will only eat when I'm in the car, and the bread crumbs we left for the partridge and her chicks (in the woods) are still there. Evidently the partridge wants cheerios.

Aug 6

Very, very hot day. Almost no breeze off the water. Only Biscuit and Blaze showed up tonight. Two others sat at the edge of the field, but didn't come near. Don't know if it was the heat that kept them away or the fact the grandchildren had been having golf cart vs rider mower races in the back yard all day. The noise was sufficient to make ME want to crawl into a den.

Aug 7

A bonanza evening. Biscuit, Banjo and Bamboo waiting for us as we went up. As usual, Bamboo stayed down the lane while I was out of the car feeding, Banjo circled, and Biscuit hoovered. I had a piece of sugar donut that one of the grandchildren dropped and I was able to toss it in front of Banjo. I quickly gave Biscuit some noodles to keep her busy. She saw the donut, but left it for Banjo. He circled, circled, sniff the ground about 5 feet away, stood and looked at it. Biscuit finished and meandered over toward the donut. It was then Banjo decided he wanted it. Didn't get it. Bamboo kept inching closer. She was sitting and scooting. Don't know if her anal glands (do foxes have them?) are full, or if it was just her means of locomotion. Blaze came out on the side of the spruce trees and plopped down. Only her ears showed. Did the circuit and a fox was waiting for us in the loop road. I left lots of casserole and backed the car up to watch. It acted like Full Grey, and looked somewhat like Full Grey, but the tail was lighter and there were only a few wisps of ruff around the face. It could have been FG with her ruff shed out and getting light guard hairs on the tail. Since it didn't follow me back, I really am mystified. Banjo was waiting at the hutka. Wouldn't eat, just kept leading the car down toward the top of the hill. Blaze was sitting on the hill waiting. Banjo actually got some milk bone tonight since Biscuit had disappeared. Just Banjo and Blaze. As I was coming down the hill could see a fox sitting at the edge of the field next to the house. Decided to drive over the hay and see who it was. Lo and behold it was Blossom. She came out far enough for me to get a picture, but wouldn't abandon the pine trees until I had rolled past. Dozens of fox trails thru the pine plantation. Also, a large hole which looks like a den opening to me. After I got back and Tom saw where I had been, he asked me if I saw the new entrance to a den. I said if that was the hole, I had seen it. Can't see a large earth near by, but that's not surprising because of the pine trees. Six foxes for tonight's interaction. Makes up for last night.

Aug 8

Full Grey was waiting at the bottom of the spruce trees. It *was* FG we saw last night. Her ruff has shed out and her coat is looking very sleek now. Has lost that ratty look. FG ran into the trees and by the time we got to the top of the hill and I got out of the car, Biscuit was waiting, as was Banjo. Bamboo was half-way down the hill. FG would start trotting toward the back and when I didn't move, she would come back. This happened several times so I realized she didn't want to eat with the kits tonight but wanted me to hurry to the woods. We finally left, did the circuit, and coming out saw Full Grey heading toward the mound by the brook. Banjo was waiting at the end of the reopened lane, but as soon as we got close trotted down to the top of the hill. Blaze showed up and waited under the trees. Banjo wouldn't come close to the milk bone. I finally got into the car, slammed the door and waited. Banjo then came up to eat the tid bits and Blaze moved to within 15 feet of the car. Blaze likes us in the car! No sign of Biscuit after she did her social duty of greeting us on our way up and eating our food. No sign of Blossom tonight either.

Tom built another new road in the woods today. This one is gorgeous. It's winding thru a mature pine forest. Smells wonderful.

Aug 9

Late getting back tonight because of family dinner. However, I got all the scraps from dinner (standing rib roast, boiled potatoes, broccoli, wax beans) for the foxes. Never in my life did I think I'd be digging through a sack of garbage to feed animals. I was afraid the foxes wouldn't be there since we were over an hour later. Was delighted to see Full Grey, Biscuit (who else!) and Bamboo waiting for us. Biscuit got a nice bone, Bamboo hid in the trees but noted where I threw things for her to collect later, and I had a huge bone with some fat and meat on it which I tossed to Full Grey. Biscuit dropped her bone and ran to the big bone. She and Full Grey were equal distance from the b ig bone and Biscuit vocalized and lo and behold . . . Full Grey flattened her ears, ducked her head and showed submission. Full Grey ran to the back fields and was waiting for us at the mound by the brook. She got some fat pieces there and I left another big bone with meat on it in the loop road for her. Bamboo and Biscuit waiting for our return. Biscuit sitting on the sitting rocki, and Bamboo sitting at the top of the hill. Both got some milk bone. As I drove past I could see all the earlier food gone EXCEPT the broccoli. This is three years in a row the fox kits won't eat broccoli. It must be a George Bush republican family.

Aug 10

Full Grey, Blaze, and Biscuit waiting for us. Blaze kept her usual distance. Biscuit was her usual bold self, and Full Grey got the food bits around the edges. Suddenly Banjo came galloping up the lane and Full Grey opened her mouth, bared her teeth, and chased him into the trees. He hadn't done anything except appear. After a minute he came out of the trees and Full Grey did the same thing again. This time Banjo ran into the trees on the other side of the lane, where he could circle around and come out behind the car. As we pulled away to do the back woods circuit, Blaze came out and did her share. Biscuit actually gave way to her. Full Grey went loping across the fields; I assume to meet us in the back. Did the circuit and on our way out, Blaze and Banjo were waiting. Biscuit was sitting on the reopened lane preening herself. As soon as the car appeared and the first toss made, Biscuit landed on it. I tossed lots of dry cat food out, backed the car up to about 30 feet away, and sat in the car and watched Blaze, Banjo, and Biscuit clean it up HARMONIOUSLY. At times Banjo and Biscuit were eating right next to each other. No aggressive behavior at all. Maybe Biscuit felt Banjo had already been put in his place by Full Grey.

Aug 11

An absolutely gorgeous day. Tom and I took a lengthy and leisurely drive through the woods this morning and tried out the new roads. Coming back we drove down the reopened lane. In front of the car we saw a pile of fur. We stopped, got out and investigated. It was the tail, one hind leg, and part of the back skin/fur of a skunk. The rest had been thoroughly eaten. The inside of the remaining skin was well cleaned. We don't think a fox would eat a skunk, but don't know. We wonder if there are coyotes around that would do that. There are no dogs that run loose in the area. Any ideas?

Full Grey and Blaze waiting tonight. Biscuit ran up after I started calling. Full Grey put her ears back, bared her teeth and actually hissed at Biscuit. Biscuit, ears back, head down in submission, never broke stride but kept running and took the bone right from under Full Grey's nose. Full Grey barked, but did nothing else. Blaze now will come out to eat as soon as I get in the car and she hears the door slam. I don't need to drive off; she just wants me contained. Did the normal circuit. Coming out Blaze was on the sitting rock just finishing cleaning the cat food from it. Biscuit came out when I got close to the spruce trees. Blaze got a bone and ran into the trees with it. As I got to the bottom of the spruce trees I could see a fox sitting at the edge of the field. Haven't seen one sitting there for several days. Last night I left cereal by the new hole in that area. I turned the car to drive along the edge and the fox jumped and turned and ran into the pine trees. I could see from the rear end it was Blossom. Biscuit was right behind me so I knew for sure it was Blossom. Drove along and saw no one, but the cereal was gone so left croutons by the hole.

Aug 12

Full Grey, Blaze, Banjo and Biscuit were the reception committee tonight. I got to within 10 feet of Blaze when she realized what was happening and jumped and scurried for safety beneath the trees. Didn't stop her from coming out on my return trip. All very normal tonight. Biscuit not preventing others from eating, tho she got the most of it by being bolder and faster. Biscuit doesn't like beets so they were left for Full Grey to enjoy. One was kind of drippy and Full Grey had a trace of beet juice on her white bib. Have to leave for a meeting in Boston tomorrow, so Tom will be doing the fox hunt the next two nights. I'll catch up when I return.

Aug 14

Meeting ended early so went stand-by and caught an earlier flight back to PEI which enabled me to do the fox hunt tonight. All of them were out. Biscuit, Blossom, Blaze, Bamboo, Banjo and Full Grey. As soon as the car got close all but Biscuit, Blaze, Banjo and Full Grey disappeared into the trees. Blaze is getting braver, and Biscuit is allowing Banjo to get some treats. On our way out from the circuit we met Full Grey at the mound by the brook. Back at the top of the hill Blaze was eating food I had tossed under the spruce trees, Banjo was eating the cheerios as I was tossing them, and after several minutes Biscuit joined them. Tom said "Biscuit's a female for sure." I asked why he said that. He said "She just marked in a female position." I didn't see it as I was coaxing Blaze out of the trees. Biscuit and Banjo ate in harmony next to each other. Biscuit has lost (at least temporarily) some of her fierce aggressiveness. Bamboo came out of the trees and just lay in the lane watching the whole episode. No further sign of Blossom.

Last nite Tom did the fox hunt and Banjo and Biscuit were the only ones he recognized for sure. Others were there, but he's not sure who they were. All was normal and usual.

These foxes are definitely not hungry. Tom saw a large dog-like stool back by the first turn around. A neighbor said they had heard a coyote was spotted about 5 K from here. That, however, is rumour. I'm hoping they haven't spread to here.

Aug 15

Bamboo and Biscuit out at first. Bamboo was really "freaky" tonight. Jumping in and out of trees. Full Grey showed up, and Biscuit ran up to her and bowed showing submission. It was almost like a month ago when the kits were so happy to see an adult. Full Grey's mouth was open, tongue hanging out, and she seemed tired. She stood and observed for a bit, picked up a piece of beef, and then trotted off to explore the fields now that all the hay rolls have been picked up. As soon as the car moved off, Bamboo came out of the trees. I got out of the car to see if it was Bamboo or Blaze, and Bamboo just stood and looked at me so I could truly identify her as Bamboo. Did the circuit and coming out Bamboo and Biscuit were still at the top of the hill. (Cheerios take a while to eat - especially when you have to hunt in the grass for them.) Bamboo took off just as Blaze came out. Strange feeling to see the rear end of one while looking at the front of the other. Blaze came to within 15 feet of the car but wouldn't eat until I rolled off. Meanwhile Biscuit was having a field day. As soon as I moved off and Blaze moved to the food, Biscuit charged her and gekked. Blaze blinked in surprise and moved aside, stood for a minute, gathered her thoughts, and went right back to the food. Biscuit gekked again, but Blaze ignored it. Coming down to the end of the spruce trees I could see a fox sitting at the edge of the field basking in the last rays of the sun. I turned the car to go over there and as I got close, the fox jumped into the pine trees. It's a fox kit I haven't seen before. It's definitely a kit, about Biscuit's size, has a grey speckled rear and ridge up the back. I can't imagine Blossom would get grey up her back in the few days since I've seen her. I drove on and left cheerios and a few roast beef pieces by the hole they've dug (obviously an entrance to a tunnel or some kind of den.) As I got to the bottom of the field, I could see the fox emerging from the trees. Has a red face, red front, but is marked somewhat like Grey Back. I know for sure it's a kit because it didn't have a full tail brush. Whether this is a visiting cousin or one of the litter mates I haven't seen before, who knows.

Aug 16

Everybody out tonight. Blaze, Biscuit, Full Grey, and Banjo were waiting for me. They got beef bits and some stale sugar cookie. Full Grey got a tiny piece of meat and went under the spruce trees. I could hear her coughing and coughing. Biscuit kept running from treat to treat, getting her mouth full, and went under the spruce trees where Tom had trimmed the limbs and tried to cache. It was a pretty hasty job. Banjo spooks every time something is thrown. Biscuit is more accommodating to him now, and it's his own fault for not getting anything. Did the circuit and coming back everything on the mound by the brook had been eaten while I was on the loop road. Drove past the log den (unused this year) and took the lane between the middle and far right field on my way to sunset ridge. Suddenly I saw an adult red fox jumping off the lane into the hedgerow. We appeared to be equally surprised. It was so fast, I have no idea who it was. Back to the hill top, Bamboo was waiting in the triangle between the sitting rock and the spruce trees. She sat there, unafraid, and watched where I threw everything. Banjo was sitting on the bare spot at the top of the hill. Suddenly Blossom came out and trotted up next to Banjo. She picked up some milk bone and suddenly froze in a pointer position. Her ears were forward, front leg up and bent back at the joint and very, very intent. A crashing from the spruce trees on the other side of the lane, and Biscuit came leaping out. Blossom made a turning leap and was gone in a flash. Blaze was stretched out in the lane. Blaze got up, walked over to where Biscuit was, and flopped down again. Don't know the significance, but Biscuit filled her mouth and went back under the trees. I moved the car down and Bamboo shot out to eat all the treats that fell where she noticed them. Bamboo just kept circling around. Left cheerios to keep the others busy and Banjo got some meat treats at the end of the spruce trees.

Tom was talking to the neighbor across the road today. They both heard the foxes barking at 4:00 this morning. They agreed there was one by the water who was conversing with one (or some) on the hill behind the house. The people are at the cottage where some of the kits were born and they say there is no evidence of any foxes. Of course not - they're all here. We know for fact there are coyotes in the ski resort not far from us. If they are there and their undeveloped land is only 4 or 5 K from the back of our woods, there is a good chance they'll be here soon if not already. That could be why the foxes are closer to the house this year. I just don't see how our land will support so many families, but none of them are hungry. They all look sleek and well fed.

Aug 17

scat report

Took the golf cart and went over every inch of road we have on the farm. Things do not look good. Those of you who have downloaded the map of our farm will be able to follow along easily. Just past the 2nd turnaround (where the new Ospry road and Upper Spring Roads branch off) there is scat that is either from a coyote or a very large fox. My bet is the coyote. The scat fell in 3 pieces, one of which had a tapered end. It looks to be about 3 - 4 days old. The diameter is about twice that of fox scat. Around it in the sand is a whole slew of foot prints that look like fox prints, only slightly larger. If the scat weren't there I'd be fooled into thinking they were fox prints. On the circle road, just where the brand new road (Pine road) cuts off and rejoins it (shaped like a serpentine lasso) there is scat that is nothing but black skunk hair. Now we found a partially eaten skunk on the reopened lane behind the house earlier this week. The remaining part of the skunk was eaten the following day. The carcas was right where the foxes play. How scat containing skunk fur got all the way back to the circle road is a mystery - unless a coyote or a very large fox is covering that territory. Farther around the circle road there is more scat of the same type and size as previously described and probably about a week to 10 days old. On the Osprey road (formerly Lower Spring Road) I found scat in several places - again with a diameter larger than fox scat. Foot prints could be seen from time to time. Again, just slightly larger than a fox (almost as if a fox foot spread when being placed.) On the Upper Spring Road at the very end (cul de sac or turnaround) there was fresh (no older than a day) scat that looked exactly like fox scat. Same size, color, one piece with bulges and twisted, tapered ends. This gave me hope until I returned to where it connects to the main road and just before the connection at the 2nd turnaround, there was fresh (like this morning) scat of 3 pieces, one tapered end, large diameter, etc. I fear that coyotes have moved into our woods. Since all this larger scat is relatively new, it would seem they only moved in during the last couple of weeks. I know nothing about the dispersal of coyotes and whether this is the time or not. It may explain why we have seen no rabbits this year after a promising start last year and during the winter.

Fox report

Tom went along to take video tonight. Full Grey, Blaze and Biscuit waiting. Blaze is waiting closer to the car, but won't come to eat until she hears the car door slam (with me inside the car) and I pull away a few feet. Blaze is starting to look anxious when Biscuit hoovers everything up and I haven't moved the car. She gets little furrows in her forehead (or what could be called a forehead on a fox.) On our way to the back, a red kit was running down the lane in front of us. It was zig zagging so I couldn't tell who it was. It stopped at the T junction to watch us cut thru the field to the mound by the brook. This kit looked like Blaze or Bamboo - same size, same red, no grey - but was too far away for me to see markings to identify it. Left a short rib bone and some croutons at the mound, and the same at the ledge on the loop road. Then we did the tour so I could show Tom the "coyote" scat I found today. Tom agrees it would have to be one huge fox to leave something like that and was more likely a coyote. Coming back out we went via the loop road and there was Full Grey having her snack. She had cleaned it all up and waited under the trees by the ledge for the car to pass. I tossed her some cheerios as we went by. When we got to the brook, there was a red kit eating the treats on the mound. She started, and dashed into the trees. Once again I couldn't see who it was - tho looks like either Blaze or Bamboo. When we got to the top of the hill, Blaze was sitting on the bare spot waiting so it couldn't have been her. She got a pork chop bone and went off a few yards to recline and eat it. Biscuit came out and cleaned up some croutons. We started down the hill and saw a red (Blaze or Bamboo) streak across the road at the bottom of the spruce trees. Looking in the rear view mirror I could see Blaze and Biscuit at the top of the hill, so the streaker must have been Bamboo. Blaze and Biscuit got into it with Blaze hip slamming Biscuit and doing the "rear nelson". Tom struggled out of the car to video it, but the altercation was over. Biscuit noticed the car was stopped and trotted down to see if we had more treats, leaving the hill top to Blaze. We drove along the edge of the field and left cheerios by the hole/den. Suddenly I noticed Biscuit trotting behind the car and was hoovering them all up as we drove away.

Aug 18

Did a "scat hunt" early this morning. Found coyote (or big) scat on the connecting road from the Osprey Road to the Circle Road. It was so fresh it was almost still steaming.

Late going on the fox hunt tonight - family dinner. Full Grey, Blaze and Biscuit waiting for me. Blossom made an appearance, but got scared off. Got a little video of her but not much. Blaze is just about ready to let anxiety win - tonite I only got into the car and slammed the door before she joined Biscuit and Full Grey in eating. Didn't even move the car.Did the circuit and on my way out met Full Grey eating the dry cat food from the top of the mound by the brook. Back at the top of the hill, only Blaze was waiting. Got a little video of her when Bamboo showed up. Reached for the camera again and the lens cap clinked against the camera and Bamboo took off without me getting any video of her. Biscuit let Blaze have the top of the hill to herself, but followed the car down the lane and got some treats at the end of the spruce trees. I do believe Biscuit is getting manners. No sign of Banjo for a couple of nights now. He's too young (or dumb) to disperse and be on his own. (We have no 'proof' that Banjo is a male - he just looks big and doggy so assume it's a him.) I hope he's just on hunting lessons and I'll see him again.

Aug 19

Bamboo and Biscuit waiting tonight. Blaze streaked the road toward the pine trees. She stoppd and looked at me, lifted one foot in a pointer position, and continued her hasty journey. Blaze and Bamboo look so much alike (except Bamboo has a greyer chest - looks dirty) that if I didn't see them together occasionally I'd almost think they were the same one. Coming back from the circuit Biscuit was frustrated that I stopped at the sitting rock to admire the scenery. She came up to the car and trotted in front of me as if to lead me back. She did this several times and I kept stopping to see what the reaction would be. The last time she came up she gave me a "rrrrrufff" so I obediently hastened to the hill top. Full Grey (who is getting redder by the day) came across the fields. She crossed Biscuit's path first and Biscuit prostrated herself, wagged her tail and did a kissing thing. Full Grey then went over to Bamboo and got the same reaction. This is the kind of greeting they give Grey Back and I looked carefully to make sure I didn't have them confused. It was Full Grey, ok. Wonder what she did to get such honor. Blossom finally came out of the trees. She wouldn't come close, but at least I got some video that was more than just her ears or her tail. Once again, no sign of Banjo.

The coyote scat hunt today revealed 7 new scat deposits from yesterday. We are obviously dealing with more than just a couple of beasts. So far no scat any closer than the second turn around. There's a myriad of year around running springs back in the woods. I'll give them the back part if they leave the front to the foxes.

Aug 20

What an interesting day! Spent the morning measuring stride and straddle of fox and coyote tracks. The morning found 3 more new coyote scat areas. Scott MacDonald, PEI Biologist and Coyote Expert went on the fox hunt with me tonight. Blaze flashed quickly as we drove up and made a beeline for the trees. Biscuit and Full Grey got a portion of treats on our way back to the woods. Scott examined the scat and tracks and confirmed we have coyotes. He felt all the scat I was seeing was marking the edge of their territory. Scott had a "coyote caller" with him and used it on the Osprey road. He said it was so light out and early in the evening he doubted it would have any results. We were both surprised when a coyote answered him back. He's an expert tracker and found racoon and mink tracks at the mound by the brook as well as fox tracks at the end of the Osprey road going right through coyote territory. Scott said "That's a brave fox." We wonder if it could have been Banjo dispersing and once again Banjo didn't show tonight. Bamboo, Full Grey and Biscuit were waiting for us on our trip out. Biscuit posed coyly for Scott's camera in between mouths full of food. After watching the video of the foxes back at the house, and when it was quite dark, Tom, Scott and I jumped in the car and went to the back of the woods again. Scott used his caller, but there were no answers this time. However!!! As we were coming out and had just reached the 2nd turnaround Scott yelled "There's a coyote". Sure enough, there was one in the road. Scott guessed it was about 35 lbs. It was grey. Scott says the PEI or Atlantic Canada coyote has interbred with the timber wolf (confirmed by DNA) and is the largest coyote in North America. The average weights about 55 lbs.

Aug 21

A real farewell feast for the foxes tonight; pork chop scraps and bones and cinnamon rolls for dessert. Full Grey, Biscuit, Blaze and Blossom out tonight. Biscuit likes to wait for me at the bottom of the spruce trees and race (or escort) the car up to the top of the hill. Full Grey waits a few feet away from Biscuit, but as soon as I get close she takes a short cut thru the spruce trees and is waiting at the top of the hill by the time I get there. Full Grey has lost almost all of her grey. Just a shading down her back and hips now. Her grey tail has long clumps of hair hanging in wisps from it. Blossom is getting braver about coming out. Tonight I only had to back the car 40 - 50' away before she came out and enjoyed the feed. Biscuit ran from bone to bone. She would pick one up, chomp once, drop it, run to another, chomp once, drop it, etc. I wonder if her saliva on it is marking the bone for her? If so, Blaze didn't get the message because she picked one up as soon as Biscuit dropped it. Full Grey took hers under the spruce trees (where it has been limbed so I could easily see her) to eat hers. They all chew with their mouths open. There were just too many this year for me to teach any manners to. Still no sign of Banjo. I hope he's just on a long exploration and will return for me to see him before he disperses for good. This is my last night here for 2 1/2 weeks. Tom will be back in 2 weeks and will do the fox hunt. Sure hope they remember us when we return. Previous litters always did, but then we didn't have coyotes in the woods then.

Speaking of coyotes, did a scat hunt this morning and only found one new coyote deposit. Either they have gained control of their bowels or they feel their edge has been fully marked and no need to do more.

In the sand by the brook there were more new raccoon tracks than I could count. They must have had a convention there last night. (Or a church service singing "Shall We Gather at the River".) More posts in 2 weeks.

Sep 5

Tom's telephone report. He left food last night but no one showed up while he was watching. He checked early this morning and all food was gone. He went out at the usual time tonight and left food, but no one came. He went back into the woods and checked the tracks at the mound by the brook. A lot of tracks but a little larger than fox tracks. He said they looked just like the coyote tracks farther back in the woods. As he was coming back, he caught a flash of fox at the top of the hill. The food at the hutka was still there, as was the food on the sitting rock. He left more food at the top of the hill and moved the car away to watch. A fox came out but was extremely nervous. Grabbed a bite and ran back into the pine trees. Did this a couple of times, kept looking around, and was very very nervous. He couldn't see who it was. He waited until the last rays of dusk and went out again. The food at the hutka and the sitting rock was still there. He left dog biscuits at the top of the hill. The fox came out again and was still very cautious but not as nervous as before. The fox wouldn't even cross the lane to the pine trees on the other side by the reopened lane. It seemed to only feel secure in the 7 acre pine plantation at the top of the hill. Tom suspects the coyotes have come way out of the woods and will not leave food beyond the top of the hill until we can determine what the situation is. Not good news, but at least one fox is still around.

Sep 6

Tom's telephone report: Two kits kept flirting with him and the car. They wouldn't come close enough for him to identify them, but they would dash in and out of the trees after he would leave bread or milk bone and MOVE THE CAR away. He made a couple of circuits and finally sat at the top of the hill. Two kits were at the bottom of the pine trees watching the car and Tom. Tom was so intent on watching them, he was unaware of what was happening next to him. He finally looked to his left, and there just 30 feet from the car was a lovely red adult with a full white chest. She was totally comfortable with the car. Tom tossed her a milk bone and she took it, streched out as she ate it and watched the kits at the bottom of the pine trees watching her. Tom didn't know who she was but thought from the front she looked like Full Grey; however, he didn't notice much grey on her.

For the past two nights he has noticed there is an abolute dearth of fox scat. Nothing in the lanes/roads as in the past. Could the foxes by hiding their scat from coyotes?

Sep 7

I arrived on the Island early afternoon. Took a tour of the farm and found it very strange there is no new coyote scat back in the woods. A heavy rain storm (after effects of Eduard) early this week washed most of the month-old dried scat away. It has not been replaced. Don't know if this means that the coyotes have moved on (doubtful) or that once their territory is marked, they don't have to do it again.

Went on the fox hunt at the usual time. Two foxes (later turned out to be Bamboo and Blossom) were waiting at the edge of the field and as soon as the car started dashed for the feeding area on the lane between the pine trees. I left food (leftover sweet corn scraped from the cob)at the top of the hill. I started nattering away about how I missed them, etc. and Bamboo started trotting up. She got to within 30 feet of me and then turned skittish. Grabbed a piece of food, hied herself into the trees, etc. Blossom did her usual peeking from beneath a pine branch. Went on and left food at the sitting rock, hutka and sunset ridge. Coming back, both Bamboo and Blossom were cleaning up the bits at the top of the hill. I tried tossing some dog biscuits, but Blossom complete disappeared and Bamboo just sat and watched me. A little later I noticed thru the rear view mirror a red fox (couldn't see who) cleaning up the sitting rock. Blossom then came out from the trees and trotted up the reopened lane. Where I was stopped there is only field between the main lane and the reopened lane so I could see her easily. She went to the side of the lane, squatted and scatted. She then came back to the safety of the pine trees. Bamboo was still watching me. I finally said good bye and started the car. As I turned the corner I could see both of them at the bottom of the pine trees. We stopped and looked at each other for a bit and then I rolled on. They bypassed the car in the safety of the trees and I saw them at the top of the hill gleaning the last bits I had tossed.

I drove on home bemoaning the fact Biscuit hadn't come out. There is a drainage ditch at the back of our back yard which necessitates the car going over in 1st gear and slowly. Our vegetable garden is between the ditch and the house. As I was still moving slowly after crossing the ditch, there was Biscuit in between the cabbage and the onion row in our garden. I tossed her some sugar donut bits (I mean this was special) and it was like old times. I spent 20 minutes just yards from the house talking to her in our garden. My last toss was a handfull of corn kernels. I then went into the house and yelled for Tom to come look. We were so entranced that it wasn't until 15 minutes later Tom said "why aren't you videoing this?" Grabbed the camera and first filmed thru the glass of the storm door. I then went out onto the deck and filmed. Biscuit was perfectly comfortable; me casa su casa. She finally left when there were no more bits to be found. I'm ecstatic!

Sep 8

Mike Russell from the Newsgroup accompanied me on the fox hunt tonight. Blaze was waiting at the hill top, but kept her distance. No amount of enticement would get her closer than 30 - 35 feet. As we pulled away to the sitting rock, another red (Blossom? Bamboo?) joined her in cleaning up the corn kernels and some chicken bits. Did the tour and left food at the sitting rock, hutka and sunset ridge. Coming back there was no one at the top of the hill. Left some milk bone and drove off across the top of the spruce trees to show Mike where the "new" natal den is. Cut across the field by the hutka and drove down the reopened lane. Looking across the clearing could see Blaze waiting at the hill top. Frustrating to have to chase the foxes down like this. We went back to the hill top only to find Blaze gone by this time. So be it. Drove along the edge of the field where the foxes often wait for the car to leave the yard and we saw a fox dash from the drainage ditch behind the house into the pine trees. Drove along the ditch and pulled up by the garden where Biscuit met me last night. No Biscuit. I apologized to Mike for the foxes poor performance. He said he realized this wasn't a Disney attraction. We were getting out of the car ready to go into the house when suddenly Biscuit appeared out of the garden looking at us as if to say "here I am." I walked back and tossed some milk bone, some chicken and some corn. Mike waiting patiently by the well house to take pictures, but she just flirted around in the sunflowers and corn stalks. We went into the house, and she appeared on the lawn where I had left food. Our neighbors had just returned from a camping trip and were unloading. We went out on the deck and were shouting back and forth to them; this didn't disturb Biscuit at all. She just continued to hunt and eat, occasionally looking up to check us. There was a small drumstick bone with a little chicken on it. Mike said it looked like she cached it *in our garden*. Told Tom he couldn't roto till the garden until next spring. By this time it was beyond dusk so Mike didn't get very good pictures. I wanted to check and see if the food at the hutka had disappeared by now, so Mike and I got in the car to go back up. Biscuit sat in the garden as the car pulled next to her and listened to me prattle on. No fear, but also not as close as she was last night. She must have recognized Mike as a friendly type, but still kept a little distance. The food at the hutka was still there. Most unusual. The kits are not venturing beyond the sitting rock it appears. The adults used to make sunset ridge and the hutka their stops before a night's hunting. Biscuit had vacated the garden by the time we got back to the house.

Sep 9

Rain tonite. No one waiting at the top of the hill, but Biscuit came out shortly thereafter. Got a nice chicken bone and trotted off to either eat it in private or cache it. Biscuit got a few more morsels and then trotted off as if she had more important things to do. Blaze poked her head out a couple of times, but didn't come to the actual feeding area until we moved off toward the sitting rock. Another smaller fox joined her, but we were too far away for me to identify it. A good guess is Blossom as Biscuit doesn't care if we are near or not. While making the scat rounds this afternoon I noticed new scat on top of the mound by the brook. We had decided not to feed that close to the woods because of coyotes, but this was definitely fox scat, so Mike and I left some bread at the mound hoping I had interpreted the scat correctly. Coming back Blaze (or Bamboo) was hiding under the trees to the right of the car and Bamboo (or Blaze) was playing peek-a-boo at the left. Without seeing a full chest I can't tell one from the other. I felt if I was dumb enough to stand out in the rain with food for them, the least they could do would be to come get it. Blaze/Bamboo did clean up the hill top, (actually stayed out without running to the safety of the trees) but only after I moved the car back about 40 feet. Eventually she would prance off in the trees at one location and come out in a completely different area. It was difficult to tell if we were seeing two foxes or one using different ports of ingress and egress. No fox waiting in the garden tonight. Guess if we see Biscuit on the hill we don't see her in the garden.

Sep 10

Late getting out due to family dinner. I dashed up to the top of the hill. Biscuit came running to meet me and chased the car to the hill top. I got out and tossed her some chicken. She came right up to my toes, as in days of yore. Bliss! Blossom actually came out of the trees, but waited in the lane some distance away. Mike Russell (from the Newsgroup) would be following shortly in his car and I wanted to leave enough food spots so he could get some photos. Plus, Tom had caught a mouse in the well house that he wanted me to take to the foxes. I wouldn't touch it, so he was going to palm it off on Mike to take to the foxes. I went on to the usual spots. The bread left at the mound by the brook last night was gone, so left some more. Coming back, Mike was parked between the top of the hill and the sitting rock, watching Blaze and Biscuit feed. He had dropped the mouse at their feeding spot and Biscuit grabbed it immediately and headed into the trees. I got out of the car and walked up, but neither Blaze nor Biscuit would come as close. Just when you want them to show off! We wondered if they weren't confused by the two cars - and one a strange one at that. I left Mike there and drove around by the edge of the field to leave tidbits. I came back via the reopend lane and there was Mike with the headlights of his car shining on Blaze and Biscuit eating the dry cat food at the top of the hill. It was now deep dusk, verging on dark. Mike got in the car with me and we went back into the woods looking for coyote. Didn't see any - nor any new scat. I'm hoping we are at the far, far end of their range and they will only visit occasionally. On the way out saw a flash as a red fox dashed into the spruce trees at the top of the hill. Couldn't see who it was.

Sep 11

Scott MacDonald (Biologist and local coyote expert) and Mike Russell from the Newsgroup went on the fox hunt tonight. Tom had trapped another mouse in the well house so Scott was charged with carrying it up to the hill top. We didn't make it that far, however, as Biscuit was waiting at the bottom of the spruce trees. She came right up to me; Mike in the car must be familiar to her by now. She got a few carrots and yellow beans and then Scott tossed her the mouse. It was a small mouse, and Biscuit took care of it in one gulp. (I've told her and told her to chew each piece several times and not to chew with her mouth open.) We proceeded to the top of the hill where Blossom was hovering around. As we pulled away to the sitting rock, Blaze also came out to enjoy the feast of wax beans and carrots. Did the tour of the woods. Scott identified the tracks in the mud by the brook as squirrel; the scat in the road by the brook as fox. Coming out Biscuit and Blaze were waiting at the hill top. We had a nice interchange, excellent viewing, and a few good photo ops. Biscuit was as bold as ever. Even Blaze showed some courage.

After dark, we all loaded in the car again with Scott's coyote caller and powerful spotlight. Went through the woods and saw no (nada) eyes reflecting in the lights. Scott used the coyote caller elloquently, and while we thought we might have heard an answer from far away, nothing conclusive.

Now for some potential bad news. Scott stopped in the local taxidermist where it is the fashion for people to bring road killed foxes in to be stuffed. There is a young fox undergoing the process that looks just like Banjo. Scott was told the man who brought him in 3 weeks ago found him on the road in an area not more than 1/3 mile from here. I'm going to try to take a trip into town to verify that it is, or hopefully is not, Banjo.

Sep 12

Left tid bits early. Had dinner engagement, so no interaction with foxes. At least they found their treats when they came and I didn't. Am going to try to get into town today to see if that is really Banjo at the taxidermist.

Sep 13

Taxidermist closed today, so still don't know about Banjo. It's raining and starting to blow. The tail end of Hurricane Hortense is supposed to hit us this weekend.

Drove up to the top of the hill and Blossom was waiting. Couldn't believe my eyes. It became more believable when Blossom gave a sharp "grfff" and disappeared into the trees. Out from the trees on the other side pranced Biscuit. What an administrator. She even has her sister standing guard in the rain until the food arrives. Capn Crunch cereal tonight along with Jello - which Biscuit loved and cleaned in seconds. I was out of the car and getting pretty wet so I threw a bunch of cereal and retreated to the relative comfort of the auto. As soon as the door slammed, Blossom came out to join her sister. Biscuit had gleaned all the Jello, but at least Blossom got some cereal. Made the circuit. The carpenters were working all day putting the panelling on the inside of the hutka and lots of lumber, etc. were left on the deck as they will finish next week. I debated about leaving food there with all those "foreign" objects, but decided to leave a couple of pieces of bread. Coming back, the sitting rock had been cleaned and Blossom was sitting on the food area at the hill top. Biscuit was waiting underneath the spruce trees where she kept dry. Blossom took off when the car got close and Biscuit trotted right up to the driver's side. I didn't even have to get out but fed her from the car. It helped only slightly as I had to keep the window open and the rain was blowing in. As I pulled away, Blossom joined her. I went down by the side of the field to leave bread pieces. Had left only a few in a trail when I noticed Biscuit was right behind me cleaning them up as I dropped them.

Sep 14

Rain and very heavy winds. The edges of Hurricane Hortense beating us up a little. No one visible as we drove up. As soon as we got to the top of the hill Biscuit and Blossom came out from under the trees. Blossom getting bolder; still hanging back, but not as far back. Tossed out carrots and boiled potatoes. Biscuit refused the potatoes but loved the carrots. Blossom like the potatoes because that was all that was left by the time she edged closer. We bypassed the sitting rock (intending to get it on the way down when it would be on the passenger side) and went straight to the hutka and the sunset ridge. I was already soaked through and didn't want to get any wetter. Left pizza crust at the hutka and sunset ridge. Coming back from the hutka we got half way to the reopened lane and there was Biscuit sitting in the field. Evidently ticked off because there was nothing at the sitting rock, she was coming to find us. Blossom and either Blaze or Bamboo were cleaning up the dog biscuits and potato at the hill top. Left food on the sitting rock. Biscuit was in the trees just beyond it coughing and coughing. This is the weather for it, that's for sure. Left cereal under the trees at the top of the hill so they could eat something in relative dryness. Winds up to gale force now.

Sep 15

My goodness they were frisky tonight. Guess calm weather after the storm allowed them to work off excess energy. Tom caught another mouse in the well house (now used as a tool shed and some grain storage) which I refused to carry up. Therefore, Tom was suckered into a second night of the fox hunt. Blossom was standing just before the curve of the lane at the bottom of the spruce trees and promptly leaped into the trees as we got close. As we turned the "corner" Biscuit was sitting in the middle of the road and wouldn't move. I begged and pleaded and she finally got up and escorted the car to the hill top. I had taken a hammer to a turkey carcus to smash it into fox size pieces. Once again, Biscuit refused the potato but thoroughly enjoyed the turkey bones with scraps of meat on them. Blossom came to within about 30 feet which for her is akin to being underfoot. I tried to keep Biscuit entertained on one side of the lane so Tom could toss the mouse under the trees on the other side. It worked. Now at least the others have a chance at finding the mouse. As soon as Tom stepped out of the car, Blossom arced her way back to about 60 feet. Meanwhile Blaze or Bamboo (she never got close enough for me to see) was *twirling* near the bottom end of the hill. It was the same movement as chasing her tail except she never tried to catch her tail. Just seemed to take sheer delight in the motion. Biscuit caught the action and arced her way closer to Blaze/Bamboo. She got as far as Blossom and Blossom *twirled* her way to the other side of the lane in the general area of the mouse. What is with these critters tonight. We did the circuit and coming back could see Blossom at the top of the hill, Blaze/Bamboo pouncing (on nothing) in the reopened lane, and Biscuit sitting on the sitting rock which was empty by now. As soon as we got close, she put her ears back flat to her head (same as she did last night) which I am taking to be a greeting/recognition of sorts. At least I see them do that to each other as they pass. She escorted the car to the top of the hill and got some turkey bits. Blaze/Bamboo promptly went to the sitting rock (too late). Blossom ran down the top of the trees adjacent to the field with a cute little fanny wiggle as she ran. Put lots of cereal at the hill top and we went on to the edge of the field to leave date nut bread. All three of them were at the hill top as we turned the corner. Tom had no more than dropped 4 pieces of bread when he said "look behind." Sure 'nuff - there was Biscuit hoovering up everything that was dropped.

Sep 16

IT'S NOT BANJO! Before dropping Tom at the airport today we paid a visit to the taxidermist. Unfortunately the fox in question had already been picked up, but as he described it, it was a little smaller than Banjo (compared it to other foxes in his shop) and had black shoulders (where Banjo had red on his last time I saw him) . . . and more importantly, was NOT picked up in our area. While it would be physically possible for Banjo to have travelled where this fox was picked up as road kill, it would have been highly improbable. The taxidermist (who, by the way is a real artist) had a PEI coyote in his show room; a little larger than a German Shephard and looking much more like a wolf than I expected.

Tom caught another mouse in the well house this morning and since I just can't bring myself to transport it, he took it up to the deck of the hutka and left it. I cautioned the carpenters who were finishing the panelling to leave it alone - to which they readily agreed. Blossom was waiting by the edge of the field tonight and started walking as soon as I got to the lane. As soon as I neared the spruce trees, she broke into a gallop. As I turned the corner, Biscuit was waiting at the top of the hill. Blossom was just about 20 feet away (getting braver) when she wheeled around and stared. Sure enough, Blaze was coming up the lane. I haven't seen Blaze and Bamboo together for so long, I'm not sure which is which - but got a good look at this fox tonight and have decided it's Blaze. Her throat has gotten greyer, but her black stockings still don't reach as high in the front as Bamboo's did. Made the circuit and the mouse was still on the hutka deck. Tossed some veggies next to it to create a balanced meal. Biscuit was pacing back and forth at the end of the reopened lane and accompanied the car back down to the top of the hill. Blossom was on the reopened lane, just sitting and watching. As I write this I can see out the back window and a fox just ran past the window in the ditch behind the house. Perhaps they were checking out the well house to see what they can catch on their own.

Sep 17

Early afternoon: Roads finally dry enough to do a tour of the woods. Fresh fox scat left on the mound by the brook. Fox tracks in the mud at the brook and before the turn in to the bottom of the loop road. The storm blew/washed away all the coyote scat and none has been replaced. No coyote tracks back in the woods. The mouse (left last night) is still on the deck of the hutka, but the veggies I left is gone. This strengthens the supposition this has become a feeding place for the adults. Perhaps they don't trust other mice catchers than themselves.

Evening fox hunt: Blossom was waiting near the top of the hill. Blaze dashed out from under the trees on one side of the lane, cleared the lane in 2 leaps, and into the trees on the other side. Blossom got just so close to me, and then sat and stared. Blaze repeated her earlier action only from the other side. Suddenly Blossom stood up. Leaping (and I mean Nijinksi leaps) from behind me Biscuit was rapidly approaching from the area of the sitting rock. Blaze and Blossom sat and watched her select the choice tidbits. I ducked my head into the car to get the camera and Blossom must have thought I was leaving for she came right up to within 15 feet of me. I didn't notice her until I backed out of the car. She literally jumped and turned in one motion and ran for the safety of the trees. Blaze joined her and the two little heads were poking out watching Biscuit. I threw some more food and quickly left for the sitting rock. Biscuit accompanied the car all the way. I left some pizza crust at the sitting rock which she thoroughly enjoyed. (Our neighbor's grandson is just great at leaving odds and ends for the foxes.) On to the rounds. The mound by the brook got bologna and blueberry muffin. Sunset ridge got sawed up steak bones and the end of a hot dog bun, complete with hot dog. The hutka (mouse still there) got apple slices and turkey bones. Biscuit was sitting on the sitting rock waiting for the car to approach. She came up to the car with her ears back and led me down to the top of the hill where Blossom and Blaze quickly went under cover. I threw out some cereal and left to go along the side of the field. Biscuit was right behind me, and Blaze and Blossom were at the hill top. Half way along the side of the field I noticed a fox in front of me. It had no idea I was there and it was fun to watch her hunt beetles/crickets/bugs of some kind. She finally looked up and saw me (or heard the car motor) and took off. I got some sweet video of her. Don't know who it was unless it was Bamboo. Biscuit trotted along behind me and as I passed the spot where the other fox went into the brush, Biscuit stopped. I continued. When I got to the spot where I turn back to the house, the other fox had come out and she and Biscuit were playing. Lots of tail wagging, kissing, leaping, and general frolicking. Got it on video but I was so far away that even with maximum magnification don't know if I can tell much.

Sep 18

A cold rainy day. Fire in the fireplace all day. Started to rain in earnest just as I began the fox hunt. Blaze on one side of the lane and Blossom on the other at the bottom of the spruce trees. Drove on up to the top of the hill, tossed some treats, and Biscuit came crashing out of the brush before Blossom or Blaze had a chance to take a step. Fresh scat had been left right where I park the car. I came within centimeters of stepping in it. It was very little fecal material - just enough to hold all the red (whole) berries together. I told them this was my last night as I had to go back to Chicago tomorrow. Also told them Tom would be back at the end of next week and would visit them and report to me by phone. They didn't seem to care, so I don't suppose they took in what I was saying. Went on to the sitting rock where more scat had been left. This was mostly straw. Looked like one of those rafia finger pulls. Did the rounds (mouse still on the hutka deck) and headed back. Biscuit was waiting at the sitting rock. Usually milk bone is the treat of great delight on the trip out; however, tonight Biscuit just gave one chomp and let it fall from her mouth. She must have known I had sugared donut with me for a farewell treat. Blaze was waiting in the clear area at the top of the spruce trees. She actually let me get to within 30 feet of her. Blossom was sitting at the hill top. I got out, made my farewell speech, tossed some sugar donut and drove to the hill top where I left an entire sugar donut cut into a zillion pieces. Drove along the edge of the field and Biscuit was following. She didn't like the bread I was dropping so as I was pulling up to the back of the house I could see her heading back toward the top of the hill. If Blaze and Blossom are smart, they will have it pretty well cleaned up by now. Future reports will be relayed by Tom on the phone. It will be a month before I return. I wonder if they will have dispersed. I wonder if they will remember me. I wonder . . .

Sep 25

Tom left for PEI this morning. He just called that none of the foxes were out, but he left food for them at the regular places. He had caught 3 fat mice in the well house so left those at the top of the hill. The mouse left at the hutka 2 weeks ago is still there. It's pretty dessicated. I told Tom to throw it in the field. The foxes obviously weren't going to eat it. Hope for some interaction tomorrow.

Sep 26

Tom has a lodge meeting tonight so leaving food early and not staying to see if anyone shows up. It rained all last night and today. Yesterday's food gone. He caught another mouse in the well house, so will leave it at the top of the hill for them. They seem to like their pre-caught mice in that area.

Sep 27

Tom took a fresh mouse back. Two foxes came out but seemed very nervous of the car. One had lighter hips and one was a little bolder than the other. It's a fairly save assumption the bolder one was Biscuit and the lighter hips could be either Blaze or Bamboo. They kept their eyes on the car all the time. They would grab a piece of bread and take it into the trees. Then dart out for another piece, and run back. He made the circuit and as he was coming back from the hutka he saw them on the sitting rock. As he got close they ran into the spruce trees. They didn't come out again until he passed the top of the hill. Tom let the car roll down to the bottom of the spruce trees and sat and watched them thru the rear view mirror for awhile. He decided to circle around on the reopened lane and pass by the top of the hill again. The fresh mouse was still there but all the bread was gone. He threw out a hand full of cereal, and circled around again, stopping half way between the sitting rock and the top of the hill. Both foxes were out pecking around at the food. Suddenly Tom jerked, and realized he had fallen asleep and it was close to being very dark. He headed down the hill for home. The mouse and all the cereal were gone - as were the foxes.

Sep 28

Tom reports that it was like old times tonight. Biscuit and Blaze were waiting for him at the bottom of the spruce trees and raced him to the hill top. He threw out some bread and a mouse he had caught 3 days ago in the well house. (He didn't want to take it up earlier when he was still catching mice.) Biscuit pranced and preened and picked at the food. Blaze stretched out, yawned (ho hum) and seemed to enjoy Biscuit interacting with Tom. Blaze kept her distance but was definitely not nervous. Biscuit followed Tom up to the sitting rock and inspected the quantity and quality of his food toss. He went on to the hutka and the sunset ridge and when he came back to the sitting rock, both Biscuit and Blaze were there. As he pulled up to the sitting rock, both foxes took off for the top of the hill. Tom stayed at the rock and watched them peck around the top of the hill for awhile. He drove closer and Biscuit came running up to the car. Blaze moved about 30 feet away. Tom had a dinner appointment so tossed some cereal and drove on. He suddenly realized he hadn't checked to see if the mouse was gone. He backed up and discovered the mouse had been chewed - but not eated. It was covered in saliva and was a little mangled, but was still intact. Perhaps they only like fresh mice. Lesson learned. Tom says they look very well fed (and act it) and appear glossy and healthy.

Sep 29

I'm in Washington DC and getting Tom's report by phone. He found fresh fox scat on the upper part of the Loop Road tonight. No sign of coyotes back in the woods. Heavy rain completely washed out previous coyote scat and none has replaced it. The fact the foxes are moving back into their old haunts in the woods shows maybe they aren't around. Biscuit and Blaze were both waiting for him. Blaze was nonchalant and Biscuit was flirting. Neither seemed hungry but accepted some tid bits to be polite.

Sep 30

Tom reported he caught 2 more mice today and took them both back. One he left at the top of the hill and the other on the sitting rock. A large bold fox (he didn't know who - but knew it wasn't Biscuit) was waiting for him and grabbed the first mouse right away and took it under the spruce trees. Another fox that looked like Biscuit but was very shy stayed about 50 feet away. From the behavior it sounds like it must have been Blossom. When Tom finished his rounds the mouse on the sitting rock had been taken. The bold one would grab something and always take it under the trees. Blossom (?) kept circling around the tree branches but didn't get any food from a toss. He left cereal at the top of the hill and both came out to pick and eat as he drove away.