Fox Watching Glitches
a month ago
Foxes are clever and resourceful creatures. They visit me for several reasons: rabbits raise their young here, I provide treats, and old habits. I try to keep the cottontails happy with nightly offerings of crackers, breakfast cereal, and marshmallows. Talk about a cheap date! The "queen bunny" is quite healthy looking by the look of her vivid pelt. She leaves my tomatoes alone. I've found her kits on occasion and it's likely that many fall victim to hawks and feral cats.
A vixen made some random visits this Summer, likely seeking a bunny kit to take back to the den for the young to practice hunting skills. The queen is an expert in hiding the little bunnies, and escape/evasion tactics. She knows the location of the hole in the fence. A few weeks ago, a new fox appeared on the trail cameras. Only showing up after dark, like the vixen who was likely the mom fox. He looks healthy and makes several visits each week. I try to make his visits as rewarding for him as possible. He must arrive early however for the best results as raccoon and opossum are getting there first. The fox adapts.
I have yet to see any fox in daylight this year and trail cameras are a must to monitor the vulpine visits. Over the years, I've gone through a dozen and give the "burn-outs" to friends to set up as decoys to deter trespassing. I get the cheapest trailcams to set out: under $35 at Menards btw. I have adjustable stands to lash them to and can stake them anywhere around the house.
One of the two monitors isn't posting images onto the SD card. A random issue as the infrared LED flash fires without result. Battery indicator shows full charge. The other camera caught one image of the fox last night due to the camera position and angle. Backyard surveillance will continue.
A vixen made some random visits this Summer, likely seeking a bunny kit to take back to the den for the young to practice hunting skills. The queen is an expert in hiding the little bunnies, and escape/evasion tactics. She knows the location of the hole in the fence. A few weeks ago, a new fox appeared on the trail cameras. Only showing up after dark, like the vixen who was likely the mom fox. He looks healthy and makes several visits each week. I try to make his visits as rewarding for him as possible. He must arrive early however for the best results as raccoon and opossum are getting there first. The fox adapts.
I have yet to see any fox in daylight this year and trail cameras are a must to monitor the vulpine visits. Over the years, I've gone through a dozen and give the "burn-outs" to friends to set up as decoys to deter trespassing. I get the cheapest trailcams to set out: under $35 at Menards btw. I have adjustable stands to lash them to and can stake them anywhere around the house.
One of the two monitors isn't posting images onto the SD card. A random issue as the infrared LED flash fires without result. Battery indicator shows full charge. The other camera caught one image of the fox last night due to the camera position and angle. Backyard surveillance will continue.
FA+

Also, sounds like you have a real wild kingdom going on there! Feeding both the predators and the prey.