Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Spring vacation was quickly approaching and this time I decided to do a little bit of camping on San Juan Island. During my island explorations, I came into contact with foxes on multiple occasions. Here are the photos of those encounters.

It was early morning and I had just finished breakfast at Roche Harbor. Looking at my map I could see some trails in the old rock quarry. Since the quarry was right around the corner, I figured I would go check it out.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Looking for a view of the harbor, I jumped off the trail and did a little bit of scramble climbing. As I came around a large boulder, I was greeted with this menacing face looking down upon me.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

It took a second to register, but I was able to grab my camera and fire off a couple shots before the fox decided to turn around and casually walk out of view.

Still wanting to find my harbor view, I continued up the rocks to where the fox was hanging out.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

To my surprise there was not only the silver fox but also a little fox pup.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

The fox pup didn’t seem too concerned about me. It was too busy playing with a half dead snake.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

The pup would run away, run back, grab the snake, throw it a little bit, and then repeat the process over and over again.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Seeing as how I wasn’t interacting with the pup, and just sitting there taking photos, it got bored and dragged the snake off.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

The pup had decided to head back to mom, who was watching us from atop the hill.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

This time, the mom came down from the hill and got a closer look at me.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Assuming I was not a threat, she sat down a bit close to me and watched her pup play on top of the hill.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Just hanging out, like it’s a normal day.

The mom then wandered off and called to the pup to come follow. I thought that would be the last of them.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

10 minutes later, I came around another corner and there they were again.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Mom was still just hanging out while the pup ran around and played on the rocks.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Getting ready to do some more rock hopping.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

At one point, a large crow flew in for a closer look. Mom fox did not like this and called for the pup to return to her. It was interesting to see her bark at the crow and take some defensive positions, yet almost completely ignore my presence.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Once the crow was gone, the pup returned to rock hopping.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

By now mom was ready to move again and started to wander away. She gave a call to the pup, and waited for its return.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Pup did not want to leave.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Walking around in circles, not wanting to go.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

One more final call from mom and the pup was off and running.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Later that day I was on the south end of the island. I was trying to get a coastal shot of Cattle Point Lighthouse when I looked up and this fox was just running down the road towards me. I scrambled to change my camera lens in hopes I would get a shot before he dashed into the grass.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

He didn’t dash into the grass.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

He decided to head right for me.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Standing about five feet from me, he checked me out of a second and was then on his way.

Foxes of San Juan Island, Washington

Taking another look back at me, he continued on his southerly trip.

On all of my previous visits to San Juan Island, I never saw hide or hair of a fox. Let alone, approached by them, or been in the company of them. And even though I did not interact with them, it was surreal to just be that close and have the time to get some candid photos of them.

One Comment

  • Diana Shepherd says:

    Just leaving San Juan for Orcas and had a very similar experience with a black fox that not only was not afraid of me: but, was curious and interactive. Amazing experience – I just Googled black fox San Juan Island and see it happened to you too. What a great experience.

Leave a Reply to Diana Shepherd Cancel Reply