For me, the signal that spring has arrived in when Mrs Canada Goose settles on her eggs on my duck island. They have come every year since I made the pond, (about 8 years ago) and always nest in the same spot at the beginning of April. I expect them to hatch out on election day. I suppose the ducklings being yellow at birth is not much of an omen.
Well, this goose in not going anywhere. I took this photograph this week, as she was lying where she fell - on the house drive. From time to time we see our local fox stalking the geese. He had one last year. Reason I know it was a fox is that Mrs D, who had become attached to a goose on her eggs, was contemplating the dead body though tears, when the fox just strolled up and to finish off his previous night's supper. I left this girl where she was, intending to bury her next day - but Reynard had been to collect. I found the remains down by the bamboo walk this afternoon.
Just thought I'd put this photograph up for all those who think the fox is a nice cuddly little fellow, that means no harm. The fox is a gratuitous killer - as vicious as it is beautiful. Its living proof that its possible to love and hate a living creature at the same time.
4 comments:
It's a sad sight, but it's also nature.
Your mention of Mr/Mrs Fox doing his/her business (do you know if it was a female or male fox?) brought back memories of fox sightings on Glasgow University's campus.
She looked so timid and nimble - almost vulnerable, but I'm sure she could hold her own against any animal twice her size. I used to bump into the university security guards - they hung out in the main lodge up the hill from the Chemistry Department.
I happened to mention to them that I had seen a fox, which I believed to be the same fox, a few times on the campus - they told me she had cubs - so yes, they knew about said Mrs. Fox, in fact I think they were proud of her.
To me she seemed timid and a bit nervous, and very light on her feet, like she could get up to speed in a blink of an eye.
Like I observed her so she observed me - but for sure she did not entertain the idea of putting a saucer of milk out for me.
Clearly it was a LibDem fox. Lord Rennard perhaps?
AJC
A fox kills to eat and survive. It is an opportunist and kills when it can. What it doesn't eat - it will bury for leaner times. No-one thinks they are "cuddly", but they are not "vicious" either, they are predators, and do what predators do.
However - sorry about your goose, but that's nature. But there is nothing more vicious and predatory than homo-sapians.
Surely the cuddly appearance but effective killing traits are also shared with the domestic cat. The fox does at least need the food unike most cats who have a bowl at home. Whilst I know foxes can cause problems to farmers I would ask how any cat owner can sanction its killing based on its behaviour.
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