I’m angry and upset to say the least.
About half an hour ago I left the house, on a sunny afternoon, to go out to take photos but came face to face with this.
Unfortunately I believe she was legally shot.
I’ve followed this fox family over the year. I watched them play, have cubs and in turn watched the cubs grow up. I watched them wind the badgers up and mouse in the field next door to my house, caught glimpses of them through the brambles and saw them visit our garden.
Now the vixen is gone.
I hope the rest of them manage to stay as far away as possible.
Here are some happier photos.
Appleton Wildlife Diary by Alex White 
Feel so upset to see this too. I find this a tough time of year on behalf of the natural world…endless sound of gun shot at the weekends around the pheasants etc around where I live and I find myself worrying about badger sets that are too obvious etc even though they are “protected” here. I’m not a vindictive person but I do find myself fantasising about a levelling where such people are concerned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just got home and mum said they have been shooting all afternoon 😦
LikeLike
This is always a worry, I always feel a bit funny when when I dont see the local foxes for a day or 2, knowing that it only takes one farmer to find them, then its all over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear this Alex. Its a very cruel world sometimes. Hope the cubs survive, can you check on them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I use a trail camera a lot, so hopefully that will help me keep an eye on the cubs.
LikeLike
Always terrible to see an unnecessary killing! You have managed to get some good shots of the foxes though as a memento!
I also have a wildlife blog and if you’ve got some spare time I’d love to hear what you think.
http://www.animal-travels.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I’ve followed your blog – I like the page on Scottish Wildlife, somewhere I would really like to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d be more than welcome to stay with us. Would love to see you all. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mum says it would be good to see you
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a waste of a beautiful life! And for what??!! I really feel for you Alex. It must be heartbreaking that you knew the family so well and in a split second the vixen’s life was ended. I really hope the revolting man doesnt come back anymore. I hope youre ok Alex.x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I really hope he doesn’t find the cubs
LikeLike
So sorry to hear this 😦 It’s so unnecessary dead – they don’t need to be killed, but of course superior human thinks otherwise.. when do we learn to live side by side with wildlife respecting other creatures…So, so sad 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, we all have to learn to live side by side.
LikeLike
Oh no Alex, not you as well as me. Your foxes have been cruelly taken away, just like my Fox guardian. Senseless,needless and Inhumane 🐺😞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear, what happened to your fox?
LikeLike
Hi, Just re-read your post about what happened to your fox. That is so sad.
LikeLike
Your photos are beautiful. I’m so sorry for the loss of your beautiful friend, I can imagine how gutted you feel. Sending healing vibes over to you. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLike
Thank you. It was a bit of a shock, I will miss seeing her.
LikeLike
No words …. 😦
LikeLike
You can rest knowing you captured pretty much her full story, and she lives on in our minds and in your images.
Good to have a shot across the bows to gives us a wake up call, although this is a particularly bad one.
Keep taking picture Alex, of the good and bad that happens out in nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless you I feed a fox at my place of work and have done so for two years and I often wonder what will I do if one night he doesn’t come bless you you for caring
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alex I agree with Louise. We like you have watched these beautiful gentle animals and hate to see pics like this, I admire you for being considerate and not showing the humans head/face in this. So sorry for your experience today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is indeed sad, Alex. BUT, if foxes need to be controlled (that’s a big IF) I’d rather a quick shot than a trap, snare, poison or terrifying death from a pack of dogs. I’m guessing some gamekeeper who takes affront at a natural predator eating some of his introduced alien birds (pheasants/red-leg partridges) or a chicken owner who isn’t fencing their flock securely is unhappy about the fox in the area. There have always been conflicts of interest in the managed countryside and probably always will be. So sad when an animal you love is on the loosing side of the battle though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I know. Still heartbreaking.
LikeLike
foxes do not need to be controlled, they regulate their own numbers. It’s so sad to see how gamekeepers and farmers have got it in for these beautiful indigenous animals. I read that gamekeepers lose more birds to mink than foxes .
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was so upset to see this. I’m so sorry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sad to see this, Alex. One day, I think you will be a force to be reconded with in defending the creatures we share this planet with but treat as if they have no right to be here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very sorry to see this.
LikeLiked by 1 person