Returning from an early walk one Saturday morning in late May, we came upon a fox standing across the street in our cul-de-sac. Odd because it was broad daylight, the fox wasn’t running away, and it was looking straight at us. After a startled moment, we let ourselves into our backyard through our side gate. As usual we headed to our raised vegetable beds to check on our garden. That’s when we noticed another strange thing. Scat and animal tracks. Was it connected to the fox we just saw?
Later that day, the investigation continued. More evidence pointed to creatures not only being out and about, but underfoot! We have two wooden walkways that lead to the top of our backyard hill. Situated there is a table and chair set. Robert’s spot to relax in late afternoons. While heading up there, two furry critters ran out from under one of the decks and scurried into the bushes. Wanting to find out who are visitors were, Robert installed a camera on the walkway. And as it happened that evening while we were watching TV, a bushy tail passed by our back door!
Checking the camera the next morning, we saw not two, but three foxes about the same size and one larger one that came and went in the wee morning hours. Why were they in our yard? How long would they be around? Should we be worried about them being there?
Placing a call to our local Animal Control, Robert was referred to Fish and Wildlife. The purpose in ringing them was to find out how to peacefully co-exist with our new guests. By the time Robert was able to talk to a ranger, we had learned a few things about these pups, also known as cubs and kits.
A little ChatGPT consulting revealed that they were probably 5-7 months old and were most likely born nearby. Native to our area, they were indeed gray foxes. Canids with salt and pepper coats and rusty orange coloring around their necks, chests and front legs, with black stripes down their backs, large angular ears and muzzle, and black rimmed eyes. We learned that they have retractable claws which allow them to climb trees when escaping predators and reaching for food. Their preferred habitat is rocky, wooded, and brushy areas. Nocturnal, foxes hunt at night and sleep during the day. Their diet consists of fruit, mice, rats, lizards, birds, rabbits, and squirrels. And they have a keen sense of smell and hearing, and are curious creatures, but not aggressive.
Amazingly, all of these facts played out right before our very eyes. The pups usually emerged just after sunset and at dawn. The largest fox, the mom we assumed, only popped in to check on them but didn’t stay. Watching them so often, we were able to start telling them apart.
From my journal: June 1, 2026, Newbury Park, California
“…named the foxes! Ella (after Robert’s mom whose maiden name was Fox!), Freddie, and Fiona. They are amazing to watch!”
Freddie was slightly larger than Ella and Fiona and was more rambunctious. Ha! All three loved to chase and pounce on each other in our rocky waterfall and climb up and down our pepper trees. We noticed scat under our neighbors’ fruit tree that extends over our back wall. Figs fall freely there, a feast for the foxes, for sure! One late afternoon, we observed one of them with what looked like a mouse in its mouth. As foxes do, they took their dinner from the site of discovery to another area to eat it. While we didn’t see them actually catch their prey, we did see them tossing around critters. Ew! And we often came across the aftermath on a patch of our lawn where the carcasses of crows, squirrels, and rabbits were left.
Speaking with Robert on the phone, the Game and Wildlife ranger validated what we now knew and observed. Their behavior was typical of juvenile foxes. He said how extraordinary it was that they had taken up residence here. He also said that he could see Robert smiling as he relayed the information to him! How true! It was hard for both of us to contain our enthusiasm when telling this story to anyone.
The ranger said that as the pups matured, they’d become more elusive. He said that they might be around for a week, a month, the summer, who knew, but they also may come back to visit occasionally in the coming years. And he emphatically emphasized enjoying every minute of this very rare opportunity to get a glimpse into their world.
Over the past few months, we’ve had many occasions to smile about these foxes. Especially meaningful is that they reminded us of our beloved beagle Kippers who died eight months ago. Their mannerisms, and the way they explored and played, they looked much like puppies. Once Robert snapped a pic of one of them standing on our spa cover in the same spot where Kippers used to sunbathe. Even when one of the foxes stopped for a moment to scratch an itch, it was like seeing Kippers do the same. Canines will be canines!
Not only did we see them often, but we could feel their presence. It seemed as our yard had become a part of their family’s home range, their play area, and their training ground. For sure it had become a stop on their route through our neighborhood and a daytime refuge. If we were outside, they’d simply take note and just carry on. One evening however, Robert was standing outside and two foxes approached within 5 feet of him and sniffed the air. Robert said, “No guys,” and they backed away. Just like teenagers, they were curious about their surroundings and were testing their boundaries.
Based on photos and information Robert continued to send ChatGPT (who we’d refer to as Chad!), Chad commented that for foxes our backyard is prime real estate and if this skulk could rate it, they’d give it 5 stars! With the retaining walls, rock landscaping, a water feature, shade, trees, dense vegetation, hills, and den areas, as well as being quiet, it is well-suited for foxes. Learning about our world, it was a good place for them to play, explore, and investigate. Lucky them, lucky us!
After two weeks we no longer saw them on a daily basis, and to be honest, we missed them. So, it was a pleasant surprise when one of the youngsters showed up mid-summer and spent a leisurely afternoon napping in the sun on our hill. We suspected it was Freddie and were awed by how he’d changed. He was taller, his tail was bushier, and he was totally at ease. Later that evening, he appeared on top of our outdoor bar where our grill is. Though no food remained, he most likely could smell the lingering scent of a recent barbeque.
Activity in our backyard quieted down again, until a month ago. Looking out back, we saw two foxes together. Standing on our stone steps, they calmly groomed each other. They looked more mature, attentive, yet relaxed. And just this past week, while we haven’t spotted them, we know they’re in the vicinity. The scat and our bar cloths strewn all around our backyard have given them away!
From the mysterious animal tracks and scat, to the discovery of a day den under our backyard walkway, to watching these pups play and grow, learn to climb trees, hunt, and now come by independently, what a remarkable experience this has been for us, and for them. How fortunate we’ve been to have had a front row seat to this rare and magical event. We know foxes can live ten or more years, so we hope they’ll stop by for a visit now and then. Just like old friends and neighbors, they are always welcome.
A Journal Journey 