A year ago today we met what became known as the “Yellowstone Picnic Area foxes.” Most animals are very wary of humans, especially when they are rearing young, but some animals in Yellowstone have learned that humans are not a threat and completely ignore them. These foxes accepted humans as part of their landscape and I don’t remember them ever even looking at us. The male walked within a foot of me when he was returning with supper, a ground squirrel, to the den the first day. I didn’t even know he was there until after he passed me. Their den was above the Yellowstone Picnic Area above the Yellowstone River on the road leading out to the Lamar Valley in the northeast corner of the park. They had to be coming and going to the den long before May 23, 2013. But people started to notice them on May 23rd because that is when they brought out their two kits and introduced them to the world, and the 7,934 photographers that immediately swarmed around them. (Yes I am exaggerating on the number of photographers, but there were a lot. I have a photo of them somewhere. I’ll try to find it and show it to you.) But the photographers were respectful, quiet, and kept their distance. The foxes couldn’t have cared less. We had a wonderful experience watching them for 11 days from May 23rd to May 31st. Over the next 11 days I will tell you what I know about their life.
The above is Mr. And Mrs. Fox. She (the lower one) ran over to greet him as he returned from hunting. I know she is probably just sniffing him but I prefer to think she was giving him a kiss because she was happy to see him.
I love the way you started this story! Thank you for sharing Judy.