Witnessing nature's majesty

A red fox recently seen in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Nature has wonderful ways of reminding us that this world is a shared experience. Wildlife sightings can seem random to us at first, but for the animal itself, it's just one snapshot in their ongoing, very natural routine.

While driving through West Woodstock this past week, I was heading through a familiar neighborhood when I noticed something quite new: a beautiful red fox, looking straight at me. During the few instances I've seen a fox, it's usually on the go, hunting down its soon-to-be meal — too quick for any hope of a decent photo.

But this time was different. I pulled over and reached quickly for the camera, hoping the animal wouldn't disappear into the brush. It kept looking around for a minute, undaunted by me or my car about 80 feet away. I reeled off multiple photos through my open window, while the fox kept sitting there, seemingly on the lookout, but also comfortable in its place of refuge. I got out of the car, trying to get a bit closer. I got a couple more pictures before the fox dove into the tall grass, with its bushy, white-tipped tail trailing behind it.

The red fox is most active at dusk and dawn, but it does forage during the daytime as well, according to Vermont wildlife officials. Since this sighting occurred between 2 and 3 p.m., that may have been just one stop during a lengthy search for food. Or, the fox may have just returned to a spot where it had stored surplus food, as they sometimes do.

Whenever we encounter wildlife, it's an opportunity to experience some of the natural world's majesty, and learn more about the amazing creatures it offers. It also reminds us of a larger lesson: When we positively impact the natural environment, we're helping the many creatures in these scenic hills that share the air we breathe, and the ground we walk on. Nature is never static; it's always moving and evolving, making progress toward that next phase of renewal. Perhaps that's a good baseline for our own thought about the environment, and something to strive for. That way, we won’t take our natural surroundings for granted, and we'll be encouraged in our efforts to maintain them for future generations.

— Gareth Henderson