Last week, we shared a few photos of a mama fox and baby fox who were spotted bouncing across the snow here at Brundage.

There’s something special about baby animals, especially those growing up in the wild, and I’ve had my eye out for the pair ever since.

Yesterday afternoon, this adult fox trotted toward me on the road.

I looked everywhere for signs of a baby, but saw nothing. Experience tells me there are likely several foxes in the area, so as much as I hoped this was the mama fox, there was no way to be sure.

We’re always looking out for wildlife this time of year. Normally, by the time I get my camera out, the shots look like this:

Most animals don’t want to stick around humans too long. But foxes tend to be a little more brazen.

Still, I was beyond surprised to see this one hop right up on a co-workers car and start checking me out as I turned off my engine in the parking lot!

That fox stood right there for almost a minute as I snapped photos through my windshield and wondered if she was the same mama fox spotted with her baby last week.

I expected her to climb back down the windshield, cross the hood and scamper away.

Instead, she came right up to my car door. I couldn’t tell if she was sizing me up or staring me down…

That is, until I saw the baby fox!

The little kit was cautiously tucked in behind a post on the staircase, watching this whole scene unfold.

I guess the mama fox decided I was harmless. She strutted away and around some parked cars.

The baby fox jumped off the staircase and shuffled toward me. I didn’t want to startle the pair, so I stayed in my car and shot the photos through the windshield.

The baby fox followed its mom’s path and quickly caught up with her.

Although foxes are canine, it reminded me of a clumsy little kitten as it sprung across the gravel parking lot.

I decided to press my luck and get out of the car. But by the time I stepped out, the fox family had retreated back toward its staircase shelter.

Mama gave me one last suspicious stare before following her kit back into hiding. This encounter was probably just the start of the fox family’s adventures this morning. But it was definitely the highlight of MY day.

– April