Encountered this early morning forager on the beach
Even though I was just a few feet away it kept on foraging
Forage, forage, forage.. It's time to grab breakfast
The fox was curiously close, it kept coming to my side that I have to back away
Fish brought about by the waves to the beach serves as a quick meal for beach foragers
Fox pawprints on the sand
The calm and cool beach where two early beach combers had their awesome encounter
I was on a field training and advisory assignment in the Western Region of the UAE recently, when I decided to take a long night drive and conduct a nature stopover at the Al Mugheirah Bay. It was my first time in the area and I am really eager to discover what was instore for me as I was to observe the combination of wild nature, community development and the active stewardship of the environment. To my surprise and it was truly a blessing that I decided to relax my tired feet for a very early stroll on the beach. I was just a few meters on my relaxing stroll, it was still dark, the cool breeze blowing steadily on the beach when I saw this lone, busy creature foraging on the sand. It was examining the piles of seaweeds and debris carried to the shore looking for fresh edibles. From a distance we caught a glimpse of each other but the fox did not ran away but curiously came close, continually foraging, coming even closer to my strolling position. It was coming in so close, perhaps it was curious to know what this fellow creature was looking for so early morning as well. Perhaps it was trying to check me out if I also have food that might be an easy handout for it. We where literally facing each other, I can grab it literally if I want to and it can bite me if it wants to do a forward strike. Wildlife safety and common sense told me to slowly back off and move towards the water, no sudden moves and avoid giving it the impression that I am reaching out and threatening it. As I slowly back step into the water, it was still following, still staring in my eyes, watching my every move, when I was a foot deep on the water it stop, I took a few steps in the water, made a few splashes, it decided to ran away and move to the opposite site of the beach. Yes it was indeed a close encounter, a truly awesome encounter with a creature who reminded me the values of adaptability, flexibility, endurance and cunning are key to survive and thrive!
A truly awesome up close and personal encounter with a truly awesome creature.
ARABIAN RED FOX (Vulpes vuples arabica: CARNIVORA: CANIDAE)
Thanks for your support and careful attention.
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