May long weekend was a fantastic weekend for wildlife. Not only did I spot a rare bird in the NWT but also finally got to meet the spring fox kits! The life of a wildlife photographer isn’t always that exciting but after a long winter it’s just great to get outside without mittens!
This den is pretty famous in Yellowknife though I find it interesting how often people are surprised to learn there is an active den site smack dab in the middle of downtown. People drive by without noticing the kits frolicking in and around the area.
I was quite concerned when a new condo development went up right beside the den. Blasting and heavy equipment moved a lot of the earth around, destroyed a significant portion of the trees and bush area where I imagine the foxes found a lot of their natural food such as mice and voles. Foxes always have a back up den or two in case and at least one of those was completely wiped out during construction.
Foxes didn’t den there in 2017 but there was a den in 2016. They seem to have returned now that the blasting and majority of the construction is completed. Whether or not the property owners will continue to allow them to den there is yet to be seen. I imagine if the property becomes too valuable they will once again need to search for new accommodations – like so many other Yellowknifers.
I’m planning to do a bit more staking out now that I have spotted these little faces and still hope to find the offspring of the foxes I played with all winter. Fingers crossed they have a safe den site as well.
Thanks for visiting and I hope we’ll see you again next week.