This week saw my neighbor’s fenced-in yard as a snowy overnight sanctuary for a small herd of deer.
Status Quo! Content between walking around, relaxing and sleeping. 
One deer always remained outside the sanctuary, all night and morning, almost as a guard. They remained until early afternoon each day before hopping over the fence for their daily parade for food through the back-woods.
Yesterday, things were dramatically different! All the deer were gone, replaced by “Foxtrot Tangle!”But was it the nearby Gray Squirrel who REALLY felt threatened?
First reaction: hide head in snow! 
“Ohhhh! He still sees me!”
“I’ll just hide here on the other side of the tree!”You can’t make this stuff up, folks. In time frame, this is exactly as it happened, except the deer images were taken one day prior. But on this actual day, the deer were there an hour before I noticed their absence, replaced by the fox. The fox` and the squirrel (outside the fenced area,) were photographed in quick succession actually looking towards each other, at a distance of about 25 yards.
As usual, click on the images for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂
Amazing but that fox did not look well…what do you think? Makes me nervous to think he was so near people. Probably hungry with all this snow
You are right. Down the shore (Island Beach State Park,) we’ve seen foxes, and they typically have a beautiful full coat, and even healthy face. This one is very different. We may call the animal control people for the sake of the fox…and us. Thanks for the comment, Lisa. M 🙂
Your deer and fox look similar to those we have seen in our backyard in the last few months but our squirrels are brown. We haven’t seen our deer in a while and the fox only once. But the squirrels chase each other just about every day.
As spring approaches here, the squirrels put on a show which can entertain for hours. I only wish our spring would come a little quicker! M 🙂
You should have a background music score!
Yes, Al, I remember the movie, and the single by Hugo Montenegro – part oif a 3 hour “tape” I made years ago for a summer party. Perfect backgound right here. M 🙂
I agree . . . the fox looks ill.
. . . it probably needs to snack on that squirrel.
EJ: As mentioned to Lisa above, we’re considering a call to the town.. as there are a lot of homes with pets and people around here…… and we ceertainly don’t want to see the deer and squirrels get sick, or even eaten! M 🙂
Loved the pictures, and the great breakdown by story line. Happy Spring!!!
Same to you, Gina, and so sorry for your recent loss. Otherwise, hope all is well with you and Kerri and Becca the rest of your family. Jeanne says hello! M 🙂
Great story turned out! Only the fox looks very sad. Probably she did not get to eat lunch.
What a great story and photos Marty…all that beautiful wildlife on your doorstep, I would love it! The deer are adorable, and you know how much I adore foxes, although this one looks quite unwell poor thing. They get the mange, makes me sad 🙁 As for the naughty squirrel, just love the photo of it with its head in the ground. Wonderful post. Now I hope the snow melts fast and you get your spring 🙂
Oh dear, judging by the poor looks of the fox, it seems unlikely it would be up to foxtrotting any time soon… That squirrel on the other hand…. 🙂