Curious by Nature is an illustrated feature exploring where curiosity and the natural world meet. Artist and writer Michael Todd Cohen (aka “saltpeter”) shares art and observations reflecting the elaborate and thrilling ecosystem right in our backyards; and across the shared parks, preserves, and shores that make Fairfield County special. Readers are invited to submit their own observations and artwork to be considered for publication in the Curious by Nature column.
DECEMBER
The red fox who lives in our seawall came trotting through again, just an evening or two ago, sat in the high grass, pounced, pounced, thought a bit, regarded the moon, and slunk away back down to the sea. Red foxes are numerous in Connecticut. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both vegetable matter and meat, including small rodents, squirrels, nuts and carrion. Look for this bright-eyed member of the Canidae family hunting across forests and meadows at dawn and dusk. Learn more
A red fox was also seen in our neighborhood, here around the Park St. area. We are not sure where it actually resides, maybe in Wooster Woods? Maybe in Long Brook Woods? Park St. is 110 feet above sea level, so we are nowhere near the shore, as M.T. Cohen witnessed. We are about Mid-Town in the Paradise Green area, and a ways from Roosevelt Forest.
The foxes are lovely and do not like human company, as far as we’ve observed.
The only other place we’ve seen one was crossing Main Street from Judson Place towards Sterling House, one Sunday morning.
That’s amazing, Zoltan! Glad you’ve seen some red fox activity, too. If you make your way down to the Stratford Point Audubon, I have also seen one moving through the tall grasses there (along with many amazing birds!).
Have occasionally seen one at Oronoque Village in North Stratford.