"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Monday, January 30, 2012

In Search of Foxes



Last Friday was yet another glorious sunny day in the *City by the Bay*....so, I set off on a walk with my friend Carol.  My knee is healing and it feels GREAT to walk with no pain.   Carol asked if I would like to walk to Golden Gate Park and visit the AIDS Grove.  I was sort of embarrassed to say I didn't know there even was one...so of course, I wanted to visit.  We started off...... and were following the signs that led to the Grove....when we came to the great algae-covered pond.  The pond sits amid a tree-covered grove...it is quiet....and there were no other people around....just these Ducks.....quacking to *greet us*.  They seemed quite content to swim in the greeny waters...in fact, they were *lunching* on something...perhaps they love the algae.  The place was so mysterious and old....like something out of Jurassic Park..




We passed the Ducks and headed up the path to a hill that led to the Memorial.......suddenly, the Ducks began to quack in a very different way....shrill, scared...   I immediately turned around to see what was causing it....and...there, not 20 feet from me, I was thrilled to see:



 Alas, I did not take this fox photo,  BUT, it was taken in Golden Gate Park!




I was scrambling to get my camera into focus....but Mr. Fox was too speedy for me....  the Ducks, quacking furiously, immediately swam into the centre of the pond and formed a tight circle.... the fox, decided that since two humans were also there, it wasn't worth it, so he trotted nonchalantly back into the grove of trees.  I was so delighted....he was beautiful!  Meanwhile, Carol, (who had continued walking up the hill), heard my excited voice and turned around to see what happened.  She missed it all!  (The entire encounter took all of two minutes!)  When I told her, she said, "No way....what have you been smoking?". She thought perhaps I had seen a dog....but I assured her I had seen a Red Fox.....

We continued up the hill and across a path where we finally came to the AIDS Memorial.





This is the AIDS Grove.... there are huge stones, some benches and even a small bridge around the base of the glen....they are inscribed with the names of loved ones who died from this awful disease.  It is a peaceful place...quiet, yet sad.  One can feel the emotions of loss and love. Carol and I were very moved.



 A ghostly Spider's Web, transparent, but glinting in the afternoon sun!




After our emotional trek....we decided to walk over to the de Young Fountain, to sit in the sun and recount our *adventures*......  finally, we were in the *Realm of People*.....and what did we see but this hysterically funny Segway *tour*!  *Only in San Francisco*, right?



We were also pleased to see two of the *resident mascots* of the de Young Fountain.....two turtles!  I wish I knew their names....but they have lived in the fountain for eons!  (For those of you who have been following this blog since its onset, this is the same fountain where the 13 ducklings were born two years ago...)


They were enjoying the sunshine too!

After I came home, I immediately *googled* Red Foxes in Golden Gate Park...and came across the three photos I have posted!  Apparantly, they *arrived* in the park in 2007.....  it's wonderful....sort of like living in an *Enchanted Forest*!  (You know me, I am the girl who loves *Red Riding Hood*!)

Here's the gorgeous painting I was given by the one and only Lo.....it's her version  of *Red and the Wolf*...


I leave you with yet another wonderous photo of a Fox with her Kit - taken in Golden Gate!  I hope that one day, I will be able to capture a Fox on film!
  



Love,

♥ Robin ♥

p.s. I e-mailed Carol the Google Information!  Now, she believes me! 





17 comments:

  1. Oh how fun to see the Fox and save the ducks. :) We have a fox around here but not as pretty. Loved the walk and turtles and everything you posted here. As for the chickens we are thinking about. I dont know how much work they will be.. I think the work will be keeping the skunks and racoons out of the hen house. and I wont get a Rooster. To noisy. :)) I think the neighbors would complain.

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  2. interesting there is a spot in SF you didnt know about. the aids grove...as you said beautiful and sad.

    so thrilling about the fox! And too your new friend who likes to walk. glad the knee is feeling better at last and you can get out and enjoy the beauty of the city without pain.

    be well, hugs, suki

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  3. Hi Cris...yes, it was, for me, a truly magical day...one just doesn't see Foxes in San Francisco! The rest of the day was lovely too...we enede up walking over four hours...my knee held up well!

    It may be fun for you to have the chickens....but...Annie may want to chase them...not so good for her leg... and, as you said, lots of animals would like a *fresh* chicken meal....so that would entail a lot of *guarding*....

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  4. Suki, thank you so much for your sweet, caring words. I am so blessed to have my knee improve daily...I absolutely lost track of time last week...we saw so many different and varied scenes everywhere we went..

    GG Park is huge...and even I have never explored all of it...the AIDS Grove is relatively new...and during my last three years of struggle, I somehow missed it's creation. It is a lovely spot. I hope to return again (and perhaps meet Mr. Fox again)!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  5. oh what a lovely post - gorgeous pictures and turtles and foxes and ducks too boot. wonderful. So glad your knee is feeling better these days, and glad you can walk around without pain.

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  6. I love this post! And I love foxes but I am a hedgehog so if you know the story you know what that means :)

    Thinking of you this morning, wish we could go for a walk next door, in our Tryon Creek Park. No foxes that I know of, but such a wonderful place. Puppydom love to be taken there and both stop what it seems like every other step to greet other members of Puppydom so our walks are stop and go but that actually helps to look around and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us.

    Take care of that knee and don't over do it.
    Hugs from here,

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  7. Oh, how great to see a fox in public. I have heard we've had recent sightings of both mountain lions and gray wolves around here, but I haven't been lucky enough to see either myself - just the coyotes!

    I sent you an invitation to my blog, which I had to hide, but if it didn't make it to you, email me at undergroundblog11@gmail.com and I'll re-send it.

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    Replies
    1. CS, I thought you might enjoy this post... it is always extra special to see *Wild* Creatures.... I am still reveling in the experience...and long to return to see if I can meet Mr. Fox again! Wolves and Mountain Lions....gorgeous, both of them...

      Resend that invitation when you can....

      Hugs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. now where is the comment i know i left?!

    the condensed version is i'm glad your knee is improving so well and wow to see this little fox. it reminds me of the little prince......

    i wonder what the totem message is?

    how nice to have a new friend who enjoys what you enjoy. that makes me happy :^)

    love
    kj

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    1. Hi KJB,

      I hope you are feeling better every day! I was truly thrilled to see the Red Fox....and yes, immediately I thought of *The Little Prince*...one of my all-time favourites! (And also of Pam's Monsieur Reynard Painting, which I bought...I should have included it along with Lo's painting.) I wonder if th Fox is my totem....hmmmm...will have to research it!

      I am happy to have met Carol...she is a wise and sweet lady...you would like her.

      My knee was better...but now hurting in front - rather than the back....who knows why? But one goes on, right?

      Love, Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. I love foxes!
    Our tri color sheltie looks a bit like one.

    I'm hoping your knee is holding up. Mine was all better but is now bothering me again, without doing anything at all to it.
    Great post!

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    1. Babs....I feel so badly about your knee... mine has begun to act up again too....those *darn* knees seem to take FOREVER to heal...especially since both of us are not the *lying down, resting* type of girl!

      I adore Shelties.... they DO have Fox-Faces.... I hope you will post a photo of yours!

      Feel better!!!!!

      Hugs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. Allegra....I DO know the Fox et Hedgehog Story....but you seem so *Fox-like* to me..... an Artiste in so many things!

    I look forward to taking that *Puppydom* walk with you this year!

    My knee is now hurting in a *new* place - but I keep in going....one learns to live with a little pain.....

    Windy - but sunny here...I hope your weather is dry!

    Love to you, B. Loved and the Furry Ones,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  11. What a delightful day out with your friend Robin. It was full of fun and adventure. Nothing makes the day like feeling immersed in nature. The Aids park is beautiful. It looks so serene in the pictures here. A wonderful place for loved ones to come to remember and heal. I hope you have a great weekend.

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    1. Lisa, I am glad you enjoyed *walking along* with me! The AIDS Grove is really a loving place... it is full of serenity...a little sadness, yes, but mostly the permeating aura is one of love and gentleness. I hope your weekend is a great one too! I love your art! Hugs, ♥ Robin ♥

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  12. Third try.............
    Lovely post Robin:)
    Wasn't that an amazing meeting!
    Glad your knee is getting better little by little. It will take time dear.
    Lo's painting looks fabulous in that frame. Isn't it amazing what a frame can do?!
    Here it is really winter. A few cm of snow but everything looks white
    Thanks for the GG card!!! aND YES we will walk that bridge together one day.....:)
    ♥M

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    1. Dear Zuster in the Snow,
      Thanks for your encouraging words about my silly knee! When I remember to take Advil, the pain is so much better....just hate taking meds like that. Lo's painting does look wonderful in the frame (as does your Mandala for me)...I look at them both every day...and they remind me of my amazing *Sisters*!
      Happy you received the GG card...one day!!!!! Stay warm! Love to all, ♥ R ♥

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