This morning while we were eating breakfast, a squirrel came racing across our patio. In hot pursuit was a handsome red fox. The squirrel was there to harvest seeds dropped from our bird-feeders; the fox was there to seize his own breakfast opportunity. He might have been hunting for himself or he might have a mate and pups nearby.

Red Fox sketch by Diane Ford

The squirrel fled across the yard with the fox close behind. The chase ended at the foot of our big red maple. Stymied, the fox trotted back across our patio. He looked very healthy: his reddish fur was thick and glossy, his black legs were trim and springy, and his fluffy white-tipped tail was a thing of beauty floating behind him.

At the edge of the lawn, he lifted his leg on a clump of daffodils, rounded the blackberry bushes (no doubt planning to return when they hold ripe berries), and vanished into our small patch of woods. I hope this beautiful animal found some mice or voles or even a bunny for breakfast. If only there were such a thing as Purina Fox Chow!