Coyote and Fox

This is the first siting of Lucy Fox in 2007.
Sitting at my computer, I look out the window into the pine forest. Up the slope, I planted beds of daffodils so I can glance up and see their bright yellow flowers in the Spring. Today, as I was working, a very healthy coyote wandering past the window. I got up and followed it from window to window as it walked around the whole house. Finally, its curiosity satisfied, it ran off down the road. 

It did not see me but I was often within a few feet. I could clearly see the bright intelligence and curiosity in its eyes as it checked out everything. The contrast of sandy gray and light yellow tinge of its coat was beautiful.

I totally admire the independence and aliveness of wild animals. They are so very different from our domesticated pets. Ten minutes later, again at my computer, a ragged vixen fox decided to stop outside the window to clean herself. She sat down with black-stockinged legs splayed and nibbled at her belly. 

The contrast with the coyote was startling. The fox had obviously had a very hard winter. Her coat was drab and patchy, her eyes were dim, and her tail did not even have the red foxy color and white tip. She got up after a minute and continued on her way with a dainty stepping motion of her slender black legs. Even in her ragged state she still walked as if her feet disliked the touch of dirt. Foxes strut like aristocrats; coyotes lope like commoners.