Some mornings I wake early and can’t get back to sleep. Sometimes I read, sometimes I knit and sometimes I open the blind and watch the sunrise sky. A couple of weeks back I was leaning out of the bedroom window just after the sun had risen and was sleepily daydreaming as I looked around our garden below. A flash of orange caught my eye, peeking out between the tangle of ivy overgrowing the chicken run and I probably frowned in puzzlement, but it soon became clear that the plastic mesh netting that keeps the chickens safely contained in their run makes a rather comfy hammock for a sleepy fox.
She was completely unbothered by me opening the window and taking pictures of her and carried on dozing in the warmth of the early morning sun for 20 minutes before stretching a little, grooming a little and then setting off on an impressive balancing act along the top edge of the run – which is a good 9ft above the path. She stopped for a quick sniff and a wistful glance at the now empty bird box that the blue-tits used to raise their family in, before a lithe leap back to the ground and a silent, sure-footed and typically foxy vanishing act.
She still arrives most evenings and some mornings for snacks. We’ve only caught a brief glimpse of one cub and that was a few weeks ago, and though the mortality rate of urban foxes is pretty high I’m hoping they’re safe somewhere and she’s just keeping them well hidden. I’m still thrilled to have the great privilege of her visits, she’s still completely wild, intently alert and intelligently wary of us but she does seem to appreciate the snacks!
little cotton rabbits 
It is such a treat to see and it always amazes me how their young are hidden and how the young know to keep hidden! Your photos are beautiful, they capture the soft and playful side of this beautiful creature, one of my very favourite animals!
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When I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep I read your blog! I love seeing your wonderful pictures and reading your stories. Thank you for sharing.
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Wow! What an incredible moment to capture on camera. We have foxes in our neighborhood…but only see them rarely…and it’s an amazing sight…they walk right down the street like they are totally in charge. Hope your chickens don’t freak out when the fox uses their “roof” as a hammock! Thanks for sharing!
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Beautiful captures! I adore foxes 🦊… that’s what got me wrapped up in LCR World lol. I sometime feel we are leading parallel lives… when you share you system troubles with Toby, I have been stressing across the Silvery Sea with Jack challenges… and now you post The Fox! We recently had to put down our Border Collie, Riley, & now we have a female fox visiting our yard. She (looks like she has a litter somewhere) leisurely lays in our yard sunning herself. She is beautiful. I am imagining her lineage goes back to your yard visitor. Focussing, calming myself on sights like this make me appreciate the gifts I have and not focus on the next challenge/crisis/disappointment. Thank goodness for the break from reality 🤗
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Oh wow Julie, what a privilege to get so close to her …. she’s a beauty, if not a bit naughty for freaking out your poor chickens!
V x
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What a beautiful sight to see! You are very lucky.
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Absolutely incredible! She is such a gorgeous girl! What snacks do you leave for her?
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What an honor to have her in your garden. I’m glad she’s found a safe place with you. I always look forward to your photographs–so beautifully done.
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Keep an eye in your chooks, she will be waiting for a chance to have a feast. Lovely to see her so close
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How magical to have a glimpse into her world, especially when she is so relaxed. There are quite a few foxes around here and I occasionally see them silently trotting past at dawn or dusk. Beautiful animals. CJ xx
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What super photos..the fox is delightful.
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Absolutely beautiful! I was wondering if she was on top of the chicken coop/run! I haven’t seen our fox kits a long time and am wondering how they are getting on.
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Wow. What a thrill! It’s a good thing this isn’t last year or I would have made Bonnie camp out in your backyard with me in hopes of catching a peek at your pretty lady LOL. Good thing you have your hens secured!
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Great photos Julie. Hope all well. X
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Lovely photos and gorgeous fox. The acrobatics don’t surprise me though. When fox proofing our duck run we were told to regard foxes as being more like cats than dogs, in terms of how they can climb and balance and squeeze through gaps!
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What a beautiful animal. The first time I saw a fox was in Highgate Cemetery, poor creature was totally skinny and grey.
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Oh my gosh, I love this!!! Great photos! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your friendship with us!
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Just perfect, how lucky you are!
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Stunning photos – how absolutely precious
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Oh she’s beautiful!
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Absolutely stunning photos. And she looked at you almost with affection, like a pet. She must feel pretty comfortable around your house.
We saw a tiny fox kit this spring for the first time, running and playing in a grassy expanse. Utterly adorable. They are something special.
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She is just beautiful! I do love foxes, they are always are a delight to see and observe. Such lovely photographs!
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She is beautiful! You are so blessed to have been allowed to see this beautiful creature.
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Oh how beautiful. I wish they weren’t pests here in Australia. So many people see them as something to be killed. I just love their ruddy soft color and bushy tails.
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J’adore les renards, ces photos sont magnifiques.
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