Fox on path

Fox on path
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

I drove up to the gate this morning and realized that I had been holding my breath. I hadn't been able to walk since last Monday, almost a week. My old dog Quiz had been down and things didn't look good so distractions kept me away.
It felt so good to get back and I started just to walk and walk on a very hot morning, around 8:30. I really didn't have great expectations, but it just was blissful to breath in that clean air, scent of tar weed, listen to bird songs...no one was up and using power tools yet, so it was perfect.
On my first foray down a narrow path I ran right into a Doe who bolted...saw three more deer in quick succession. Then onto the creek where the blue-green algae was not as severe, and on around on my loop. Egrets, swallows, wood ducks, all very peaceful and quiet.
On my last loop around, I decided to walk down a small path which deadends at the creek and a huge Manzanita. I only took a few steps when I saw something come toward me on the path. At first I thought it was a cat, then I realized there were two, and they were foxes! Talk about excited. Luckily I was wearing a dress with big pockets, and my camera was very accessible. I grabbed it and started shooting just before they spotted me.
I will post most of the shots on flicker...for once my excitement didn't get the better of me, and these two,( I am guessing mother and kit, as the second one was much smaller,) were very curious about me too.
It is days like this that make me feel a bit selfish for keeping most people out, and doing a lot of walking by myself. If I had had company, I doubt we would have been quiet enough to have this encounter.
On the way back to the car, I ran into the doe and her twins, the lame deer, a giant jack rabbit, and a beer bottle. All in a day's walk. Wonderful!