Massachusetts Kits

I like imagining if we could ask them where they live, and if they could answer, would simply say "here." Yet, I still introduce them to you as the kits from Massachusetts, photographed by the very wonderful photographer CCorax, who often leaves us delightful comments on this blog.

In her email, CCorax wrote: At 1:15, I went back out and as I approached I saw a kit at the den. She saw me as well and began to make a quiet barking-chirping sound. I didn't understand what it meant, but I figured I should respond before she took fright... (snip)...then when she settled moved slowly again, I was able to make my way to the tripod at the fence and put the camera in it without her slipping into the den. Along the way, her siblings came out, but they were more shy and hid briefly, while she stayed out.

I was able to take about twelve to fourteen shots through the undergrowth. There are three kits this year. They're very restless, in constant motion, in and out of the den. The fearless one watched me the most and stayed out the most (and chomped on sticks and generally was more engaged with the world than her siblings). Eventually they slipped into the den for good, so I left, tripod in hand.

I'm never really sure how something this wild and beautiful can still live among us, after all we have done to make the earth inhospitable for them, but they do. We are grateful every time for their presence, their wildness, their absolute instinctive ability to be themselves.

A heartfelt thanks to CCorax for sharing these photos and story with us, making this insane world a little sweeter, a little smaller, a little better.

The Bums Untethered

Someone threw a wrench into the works. We were supposed to be on the road Thursday, driving down to Capitola to the beach house, while we waited for our charming little rose-covered cottage to be vacated for us to move in on July 15th. But someone changed their mind about moving out of said cottage, and left us scrambling our retired butts off to find another rental in a rental-starved university town. We found something that is barely acceptable. Old and funky doesn't even begin to describe it. Picture, if you must, a house from the 50s that has never been upgraded. Lemon yellow formica in bath and kitchen, lime green backsplash. We've been burning incense throughout just to remove a slightly weird stench that permeates the ancient, industrial gray carpets.
But that's not even the worst of it. Can you imagine this: Because we were unprepared for such a quick relocation, we didn't set up our landline telephone or dsl connection. So, this will probably be the last post here for a week. All we have is our trusty little cell phone (pay-as-you-go, no plan) to keep us slightly tethered to the outside world. We are as marooned as any space cadet whose lines to the mothership have been severed by unseen hands. No one may be able to hear us scream in space, but that doesn't mean we are not screaming.

These fox kit photos were sent to us by our friend CCorax who comments here. She has been watching kit and mom for weeks, and every now and then manages to take the most amazing photos of them. We are lucky to be the recipients of these beautiful pics. They are the most pleasant reminders of the good planet and good friends.

See you next week.