Signs of Spring and Courting Foxes

Two Robins made an appearance at the Mt. Pond last week so Spring most be right around the corner right. Actually we've pretty much had Spring temps all winter. The Gray Foxes have been very active at the pond lately and I finally got a couple of good shots. Most of the time they are just cruising by and just a blur in the picture. But I think one male has made the log by the pond his courting log. Around the 1st of March is peaking breeding season for the foxes in my area. I got pics of him on two different nights sitting on the log checking things out. The first set was right after a little snow we had and from the eye shine on the far side of the pond it looks like a girlfriend showed up. The next night I got a couple of him sitting on the log just surveying his domain. Wish these would have been in color instead of on the IR camera but it's always great to capture a fox on any camera.

Pecking Order

Hope everyone had a great week. I've had another way too busy one again even to the point of getting time to check my cameras. I usually check my cameras on Sunday afternoon but we were suppose to get 6 to 10 inches of snow today so I wanted to check them early. I had hoped to get off early Friday afternoon but an equipment breakdown shot that idea down.  I had promised a friend to help with some painting on Saturday...yes I'm a glutton for punishment ;). So before daylight Saturday morning I was out checking the cameras. Still pretty slow but I did get a few nice shots. Oh, by the way, our 6 to 10 has turned into maybe 1 to 2 and it didn't start until about dark.

Most of you were probably aware that whitetail bucks establish a pecking order but the does also have a pecking order. This series of pics I got last week shows what happens when someone wants to test that order.

Nice peaceful little gatherering.

DON'T make eye contact!

Too late. The fight is on.

Now the victor chases the loser around for a bit.

O.K. That's settled. I like how the buck just goes on calmly eating during the whole thing.

Bucks and Red Foxes

Finally got out to check my cameras. It was cold and windy here today but bright sunshine made for a nice day in the fields and woods. Got a couple of young bucks at the power line. They're still holding on to their antlers. Like I said last year the bucks in my area seem to shed their antlers later than in many places. A few will still have them near the end of February. The two red foxes are on a camera that is failing on me. I noticed that 95% of the night pics were black a couple of weeks ago. I was lucky to get the night pic of the fox. The good news is I got a new Covert Reveal to replace it. So I'm looking forward to seeing what I get on it next week.  My camera set along the creek hasn't worked out well. I changed the angle in hopes that is the problem.

Still Here

I'm starting to have camera trapping withdraw...it's been close to two weeks since I've been out in the woods to check my cameras :(. But the end is in sight. We got the first books off the binding line I've been working on yesterday and we have most things playing well together. Hopefully Sunday I'll can get out for a much needed break in the woods. Until then here's a couple of a doe I got at a new camera location and one of me coming in the check the camera. The last shot really get me wishing it was Sunday already!