Here is a poem inspired by a surprise visitor to the J & J Ranch. We only saw him once, but hope he’ll come again sometime soon.
The Gray Fox
We think we’ve met them
all, those local inhabitants:
squirrels, rabbits, deer,
coyote. Every once in
awhile though something
new reveals itself to us.
From the Audubon Guide
I determine it is a Common
Gray Fox. But with his long
body and bushy tail, there
is nothing common about
him. The book says they
are nocturnal and reside
within naturally creviced
dens deep in the woods;
bone scraps near an entrance.
So what’s he doing sunning
himself on our back porch
in the middle of the morning?
Has he lived here all these
years or become a recent
transplant because he sensed
we’d quietly welcome him?
By the way, he doesn’t seem sly
either, just a cute gentle soul.
Jill G. Hall
Previously published in The Avocet.
Comment and tell me about a surprise visitor you’ve encountered in nature.
beautiful photos along with the poem. The fox looks like a relative of Annie the doggie
Yes! He does look a bit like Annie.
this is lovely Jill. Living in the middle of the city with freeways on either side of us and main roads taking people from here to there and back again I am always surprised by what I see in our backyard filled with bougainvillea, tomatoes, swiss chard, Brugmancia and Butterfly Bush.
I like what you said about your grey fox feeling welcome as I feel that the bees, Monarch Butterflies, hummingbirds, squirrels and especial one particular Raven who is my friend feel very welcome in our little bit of heaven.
Josie – With all of the development around it’s a blessing we still have so many insects and birds in the city. Is it a raven or a crow?
Thanks for posting this wonderful fox poem, Jill. The photos are beautiful. My primary visitor this week has been the mockingbird who must be pining hard for some sweetheart. I swear if he doesn’t find her soon, he’s going to get laryngitis. What a singer.
This morning’s fun was watching the chipmunk (ground squirrel?)taking a dust bath in the wild brush outside the parking lot at the Mission Valley Y.
Judy, I’m glad you like my poem. Your mockingbird reminds me of a song my dad used to sing to us. “Mommy, mommy have you heard? Daddy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird!” Do you know it?