February Fox

Just after a flurry of snow that evaporated before it could settle, I saw 'something' curled up outside on the grass.

 Well hello fox!  I hope your thick coat is keeping you warm this cold day.

 It gave a cheeky smile...............

 ............ before making a hasty retreat towards the end of the garden. 

*Thanks to all the responses on my last post.  It has given me clarification on some questions I had asked myself.

Outstared by the Fox

Something caught my eye as I looked out of the conservatory window.  There was a fox sitting next to the strawberry patch.  On seeing my movement it vanished in the blink of an eye.  I then noticed another fox on the other side - curled up tightly in a ball.  I tapped the window and it sleepily lifted its head.  We looked into each others eyes for a time and then aware of possible danger it took to its heels and run into the shrubs for cover.

I have a love/hate relationship with foxes ever since one mauled and killed my hen Peppercorn.  For just a brief moment today I gave this one the benefit of the doubt.

One Eyed Fox

Something caught my attention as it slowly moved past the dining room window.  Unaware that I was watching, the fox sat down and started to scratch furiously as I went to get my camera.  It was only when the fox looked up at me I realised it only had one eye.  He gave me a pleading look the other side of the glass as if to say 'please don't harm me'.  His tilted head action was so dog like that it moved me to tears.

When I had chickens the fox was my enemy, but today upon seeing this distressed animal all I could think about was how to help it.  I went out into the garden and despite making encouraging noises towards the fox it bolted off and jumped through a gap in the fence at the bottom of the garden into a neighbouring one.  I have put down a little piece of cheese and left the door of the now defunct hen house and run wide open  so the fox can seek refuge should it wish to do so.

My heart aches thinking how much pain the animal has suffered with the loss of the eye and the terrible mange and lacerations on its skin.  I am moved to tears just thinking about this poor maligned creature. I have contacted a local wildlife hospital for advice on the fox and await to hear from them.  I hope it is sooner rather than later.

Waking from Slumber

My moods have swung like a pendulum this week.  When the day is bright, so am I, but when the rain won't stop falling, and the sky is grey and gloomy, I just want to slide back into hibernation.  Even Gizmo wants to stay inside in the warm!

I went for an afternoon nap today.  I have so many dreams at night I feel I am living another life in my sleep!  I woke up with a start as my bedroom was filled with golden light.  Just as the sun was about to go down there was a beautiful sunset and I felt hopeful again of the better days to come.

 I took my camera with me as I went out into the garden to lock up the hens for the night.

 The sky was so beautiful and a good omen for the weather tomorrow.

Something caught my eye as I was looking skyward and there in a clearing, through the trees, on the top of the workshop, a fox stared straight back at me.

Fox Cubs by Night

These pictures are not the best quality, I know. They were taken at night with a flash, through a very dusty window!

Here you can see how tiny the cubs are compared to the dustbin. There are two cubs fighting to the right and one cub to the left of the bin, and one on the top right of the picture.

Chasing each others tails.

I was caught in the act photographing this one! Say CHEESE little foxy!

One cub in the planter and one to the right.

Two little cubs sneaking out of the junk pile.

Trampling all over my lovely plants! I wondered why a lot of my pots are turned upside down by morning. Now I know why!

Three of the cubs having a jolly good muck about. I hope you have enjoyed looking at the fox cub posts. I have really enjoyed observing their antics.

April Full Moon

I have had a fascination with the moon recently. Each month I look forward to seeing the full moon. I took these moon photos at around 10.00pm last night. They were taken through a window with my digital camera and the man in the house opposite watching me from a downstairs window probably wondering what I was taking photos of!

I would love to own a professional camera one day and capture the true beauty of what I saw rather than a snapshot.

The moon was soft and beautiful last night with a golden glow. The clouds that formed around it gave an air of mystique. Sadly no foxes were to be seen last night but the water I had put out for them had disappeared and plenty of pots had been knocked over so I guess they came out whilst I was in slumber.

Around 6.00pm this evening this little cub came to see what I was doing. He then sat and scratched his ear with his back leg, hence his back leg being up in the air! I will try to see if I can photo the cubs at night again. I may be up all night!

Fox Cub Update

Yesterday afternoon there were two little foxy faces peering out at me from under the junk pile. Luckily my husband and son were around to witness them.

Later that evening, just outside my dining room window I had the pleasure of seeing not one, or two, or three or four or five but SIX fox cubs playing out in my garden! It really was a wonderful sight.

Why did this event have to happen just as we get chickens again? Anyway, there is no way that my hens will be free ranging for a very long while to come. I just can't risk it. I won't disturb the cubs, or feed them but I have left some water nearby. I hope that they quickly grow into adulthood and move on. Then I will clear my recycling pile so that foxes won't be able to set up home again.

I tried to get some night time pictures of the cubs but they didn't come out clearly. I will try again tonight by the light of the full moon. Did you know that this moon is called the 'egg' moon? How very appropriate now that one of my hens has started to lay!

Tuesday Garden Rake No.4

You never know what you may find in the garden. Whilst emptying some vegetable peelings in the green recycling bin and under the canopy of the huge stockpile of recyclable goods we have accumulated, I heard a scrabbling about noise.

Out from the pile of old lawn mowers, the barbecue and assorted piles of tat, appeared the sweetest face. A little fox cub had come to see what I was doing. I rushed inside to get my camera and he was waiting for me.

After a couple of flashes of the camera he decided that he was better off within the confines of the recycling mountain and off he went.

Inside the greenhouse a pane of glass has been missing for a couple of years.

Its disappearance was caused by giant firework. You can see the scale of it next to the broom.

After much sweeping of glass the greenhouse is fit for use again (after we have replaced the pane)!

Outside the greenhouse is a nice little secluded area. I plan to smarten this up and read lots of books and eat lots of cake until the sun goes down and then I will sit by candlelight and take in the sounds and sights of the night until I am too sleepy to stay out!

This beefsteak tomato will be going into the greenhouse as soon as I have placed and sorted out the grow bags.

Some of the climbing french beans are in place and ready to wind their way up the canes.

Geraniums and verbenas should add a lovely splash of colour to the garden before too long.

A teeny tiny pear has formed beneath the blossom. I think it is going to be a good year for pears!

My dwarf Victoria plum has a minuscule plum right in the centre of the blossom.

The wisteria is in bud and about to bloom over the next week or so.

After the shock of seeing the fox cub I was equally shocked to find the first egg in the coop today! It weighs 30g and is not a bad size for a first one. Now, I wonder which hen laid it? I think it was probably the Hertfordshire Honey White as she was in the coop this morning.

What have you been up to in the garden this week?