Hi from the South West of Oz.
In the 52 years I have been living on our farm, I have been priviledged to see mother nature's animals at their very best on four occasions.
Over the years, I have observed kangaroos boxing on three occasions - all from a very close range (under 150 yards) and without them knowing I was there. To the uninitiated, it is a breathtaking spectacle, and when there are a few roos, the others form a loose circle with guards posted outside that.
This morning though, I watched a vixin (female english fox) stalk and carry out a series of intricate tactical manouvres trying to infiltrate the cordon thrown up by four adult kangaroos protecting a young joey.
From my vantage point about 100yds away and about 200 feet above - on the edge of some breakaway country, I watched this battle for about 3 or 4 minutes.
This is the fox we have been trying to shoot for the last two or three years, but never seem to have a rifle at the right time. This time was a bit different though. As the fox started to really narrow the gap using some incredible moves around trees and rocks, it looked as though it may succeed in roo stew for breakfast.
That's the sad part about shooting the thing. A wonderful spectacle of animals in conflict in the wild comes to an end.
Not quite your usual hunting story, but this was so intense and rare, I had to pass it on.
David Attenborough would have been proud (of the first bit !!)
Cheers,
Pete
In the 52 years I have been living on our farm, I have been priviledged to see mother nature's animals at their very best on four occasions.
Over the years, I have observed kangaroos boxing on three occasions - all from a very close range (under 150 yards) and without them knowing I was there. To the uninitiated, it is a breathtaking spectacle, and when there are a few roos, the others form a loose circle with guards posted outside that.
This morning though, I watched a vixin (female english fox) stalk and carry out a series of intricate tactical manouvres trying to infiltrate the cordon thrown up by four adult kangaroos protecting a young joey.
From my vantage point about 100yds away and about 200 feet above - on the edge of some breakaway country, I watched this battle for about 3 or 4 minutes.
This is the fox we have been trying to shoot for the last two or three years, but never seem to have a rifle at the right time. This time was a bit different though. As the fox started to really narrow the gap using some incredible moves around trees and rocks, it looked as though it may succeed in roo stew for breakfast.
That's the sad part about shooting the thing. A wonderful spectacle of animals in conflict in the wild comes to an end.
Not quite your usual hunting story, but this was so intense and rare, I had to pass it on.
David Attenborough would have been proud (of the first bit !!)
Cheers,
Pete
