Arctic Fox

The list of animals I hoped to see in the Arctic besides Polar Bears was long but near the top was the Arctic Fox. We were lucky enough to see several on a couple of different days although the largest number were spotted, not surprisingly, on the day we visited the Dovekie colony. 

 The foxes are incredibly hard to see as they blend in extremely well to their surroundings. This time of year is even more difficult than most as they are mottled - at various stages between their white coats of winter and the dark brown of full-on summer. The only way to really see them is to watch closely for movement in the rocks or - as we did - stumble across a sleeping fox who stands up basically at your feet!

This photo may look like just a pile of rocks on a scree slope but if you click on it to make it larger and then look closely you will see the hundreds of Dovekies or Little Auks nesting among the rocks. The foxes are here because of the opportunity to eat the birds' eggs as well as chicks and even full size birds if they are quick enough.

 Little Auks are (surprise!) little. They measure about half the size of their cousin, the Atlantic Puffin. Their short, stubby bills and size make them easily identifiable. Their wings are better suited for swimming under water than for flying and in many ways they resemble tiny penguins.

 As we were sitting close to the slope and photographing the birds, we suddenly realized the animal we were searching for was right at our feet. This small Arctic Fox stretched out and yawned before giving us a curious look and sauntering off to a quieter location.

 A second fox was spotted just up the hill as he searched for dinner. His bands of white and dark brown fur blended in to the rocky background, making him almost invisible as he moved across the slope.

The third fox of the day was pretty far off. I would not have even included the photo except for two things: He is being harassed by a Glaucous Gull which is quite a bit larger than he is and the reason for the harassment is that he has an adult Little Auk firmly clenched in his jaws. Nature at its most real!