Me and the Little Junk Yard Dog

Lenore and I spent the last two days over on the coast celebrating our anniversary so when I woke up this morning I was pretty tired. It was misting outside. Perfect day for some bird photography! But I knew that would have to wait because I had other plans. First I wanted to set up a portable blind in an unused pasture on the north side of the Burris Ranch to see if I could get an image of the Gray Fox I have been seeing in a more natural setting. I set the blind up next to the pond and I was shocked to see that the pond was already dry. So much for my thoughts of photographing animals when they came for a drink. Oh well. I left the blind there and walked over to snake heaven in the junkyard where my photoblind was set up.I was excited to see a flock of Goldfinches at the feeders when I arrived. I never saw them again! I did the mundane task of restocking the bird feeders and then climbed into the blind.A few House Finches came and went and then an Acorn Woodpecker arrived of which I got a great photograph. Then I heard the fox barking in the creek not far from my blind. It got closer and then stopped. About ten minutes went by and then I heard the high pitched screams of some animal being killed up the hill. The hair on the back of my neck went up.It got quiet again and then the fox started barking on the other side of the fence from me. I finally decided to get out of the blind and take a look. The fox was sitting on it's haunches in the grass looking at me.The big problem was that there was a fence post between us.I took a couple of images and then it ran up the hill into the forest above the ranch. That little dog and I have a photo date in the near future.I'm going to keep trying.I never did find out what got killed up the hill from me.

God's love and blessings to all,

chris