Oh my! Somedays are just OH my days. I have seen about five foxes in my life, in Alaska, Canada, Wyoming and The Holler. I was on Santa Cruz Island before and saw the Channel Island foxes, a very unusual species that live only on the Channel Islands, no where else in the world, but I wasn’t really taking photos then. So back I went to see them again and try and get their photos. We hiked all over stunning Santa Cruz Island, and I firmly believe that since I was seeking, I didn’t find. It was an hour until the boat left and I had already been waiting in the place I had seen them before for about an hour. Silent, still, waiting. When, at last, the first fox came out. She scuttled along this open but submerged ditch that I am guessing she built that led from her den. She was surreptitious at first, but quickly got braver.
This is the second fox. This one was bigger and I assume (with no knowledge to back me up that this was a male).
The friendly first one again.
This is the third smaller one. She (or he) got very close as long as I didn’t move a titch.
I have so many more photos of this unique species. They are 1/3 smaller than the North American Grey fox. Channel Island foxes live on 6 of the 8 Channel Islands. Each island has a separate endemic fox species.
Current thinking seems to be that these island foxes rafted over during the last ice age about 10,000- 16,000 years ago.
They are very protected here. I am speechless. They are remarkbale.
I forget to mention. Santa Cruz Island is ethereal.
Cheers to you from the rare Channel Island foxes~
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I am so insanely jealous! I absolutely have got to find a way to get out there and see them for myself. I love foxes, and these are so amazingly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!
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It is a real pleasure to meet another fox lover! They are such remarkable creatures! I hope you do go and post when you do. I will give you tips on where to see them~
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I promise, I *will* definitely keep you posted! I didn’t even know these little guys existed, and I’m just fascinated by them. And I meant to say, your photos are fantastic! š
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Very kind and most appreciated! Cheers to you~
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Love these-your pictures are so lovely and he/she didn’t seem frightened at all !! As an aside-I lived in Fox Valley, IL and NEVER saw a fox!
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Oh that is a darn shame isn’t it! I didn’t know we would have such a problem with gophers at The Holler even though we live near Gopher Canyon Road. š
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I must have a Golden Ink to write magic words for your amazing post:)
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Oh please do!!!! š
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They are beautiful š
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Very pleased you like them & cheers to you~
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Hi Cindy! I’ve never seen foxes like these. They have beautiful, almost feline, faces. Awesome captures!
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Yes there is a definite feline quality to them & I am so glad you like them! Cheers to you my friend~ ā¤
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Beautiful! I’m so glad your wait panned out. And so interesting that they have involved into different species on the different islands.
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They are the most beguiling little wild creatures, and you’re right, their unique evolution, each slightly different on different islands, so close to each other, is remarkable.
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