#alaskansummer

[brandikristen]

Would you like to hear a sweet story of love?

One of my favorite happenings from this season...

A few weeks back, I witnessed a beautiful act of love. It was late in the morning, and those of us who were around camp were busy cleaning showers and toilets, changing bedding in tents, preparing lunch... all of our daily duties. I walked out of the kitchen to see a very skinny fox walking across the yard. I stopped in my tracks to see where she was going, and another fox walked up behind her. The second one - much healthier looking than the first - had a vole in its mouth (a small rodent, similar to a lemming). He walked over to the skinny fox, and the skinny female gently took the vole from the other.

The second fox (I later came to the conclusion that this one is a male) handed it off to her, with no hesitation. The female ate the vole (I was close enough to hear bones cracking as she chewed), and then they both hung around for a rest.

After a few minutes, the skinny fox began to roll around on her back, all four legs in the air. It was obvious then that she was a female, and a nursing mother at that.

The sweet dad was taking care of the mother of his offspring. Nature is just so beautiful ♡

------------•••••--------------•••••------------

Last night, Ben was on a walkabout through the homestead when he saw a fox with a vole in its mouth. He said the fox seemed to be on mission, so he followed it. Minutes later, he saw a pup come out from under the house that Wayne Byers (the homesteader) lived in when he was alive. This morning, just after breakfast Caprice and I saw the same fox - again carrying a vole - and followed him to Wayne's house to get a look at the baby ourselves. Such a sweet, special experience. Baby red foxes nurse until they are about five weeks old, and then mama begins to wean them and they begin to eat solid foods. So if I were to guess, I would say this little guy is about six weeks old. It looks so fluffy, and wagged its tail as dad brought it food. It's tiny little tail has a little white tip. My heart could have exploded!

Mama and dad hung around for a few minutes and then took off, leaving us with the baby. I'm sure by now that they are used to us being around and view us as safe.

This experience made me think about a day preseason, when we were still setting up. Just out in front of the homestead, on the beach, we spent time one morning watching two foxes. One was laying down the entire time, and the other was eating. I imagine that these are the same two that are the parents.

Nature is so very special to me. Being able to spend a season witnessing something like this, and piecing it all together, is special beyond words.

I just love love.

[cranberrypuffin]

Throw back to a few summers ago. I really miss Alaska tonight. Can’t wait to see those beautiful mountains again. My heart needs it. pc: Cece

[alaskaandabroad]

All the Alaska love

[akjadamua]

#tbt #instaclassic #alaskansummer #gratitudeisthebestattitude #sun #fun #tattoos #2018 (at Anchorage, Alaska)

[rockistashaw]

🔥 🍺 🪓 🌧 #memorialdayweekend #memorialday #alaskalife #alaskansummer #alaska #nevergetsold (at Stuckagain Heights) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPe5q_PnILXCeqM2v9Es4mSP_Kb9y80L5Dh4h00/?utm_medium=tumblr

[internationalprincesskaylee-blog]

This picture was taken in my happy place in Alaska

[wilderpaths]

Big guy enjoying a cool dip in the #alaskansummer Advantage of spending long hours watching this wild bear - we got to experience his natural behavior like fishing, enjoying the water, protecting his territory! Oh yeah! we also got to capture hundreds of images😉 . . . #sonyimagegallery #wilderpaths #adventurenthusiasts #kenainationalpark #nationalparkgeek #national_park_photography #wildernessnation #theearthoutdoors #allaboutadventure #livewildadventure #wildlifepage #wildlifeperfection #wildlifeseekers #wildlifeig #thekenai #discoveralaska #majestic_wildlife #wildplanetphotomag #sonyalphausa #sonycollective #sonyimages #sonyalphain #brownbears #alaskawildlife #wildlifepark #alaskasplayground #ipickriation (at Kenai, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_RldUJy_h/?igshid=1m6hxm08i8vwd

[hostelfish]

An ideal trip should have you arriving back restored and relaxed, yet                       also enthusiastic and hungry to continue towards                                                           accomplishing your goals.

[erikaequinox]

🌊I jumped in the arctic ocean this summer and it was filmed by The Weather Channel! 🐋 #polarclub #ocean #beach #landscape #phonephoto #adventure #travel #alaska #alaskansummer #summer #walakpa2017 #fun #theweatherchanneliwantthatvideo

[cranberrypuffin]

yummo

[alaskaandabroad]

The blue of the sea, the evening sky, the mountain lakes and flowers nearby // #alaska #sharingalaska #rememberingthesummer #alaskansummer #homeralaska #homerspit #mountains #mountainsforever #mountainlove (at Homer Spit)

[eatbaketravel]

This morning in Alaska. Perfectly cool and overcast. @traveljuneauak #alaska #juneaualaska #summer #alaskansummer https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBY-kRh3MK/?igshid=1cfa0dkkqsmma

[janelleamcoy]

Dragonflies 💜

[rockistashaw]

🏔 🥶 #matanuskaglacier #alaskaadventure #alaskan #alaskansummer #optoutside #moredaysoff (at Matanuska Glacier State Recreational Site) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLvIvSH4q9X5KiSkMoQ_JeIPlDTVpmHdbOR8I0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[heyitstaytay21]

Perfect way to spend a birthday. Sorry if my paleness blinds you I'm normally a vampire. #hotspringsarkansas #chenahotsprings #happybirthdaytome #alaskansummer (at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska)

[sophiehoadpaints]

Epic coffee date ☕️🌲🐋🏔 . . . . #coloradoartist #futurepainting #outofoffice #tracyarmfjord #fjord #alaskanfjords #nature #neature #alaskansummer #artisttravels #alaskancruise #travelingartist (at Tracy Arm Fjord)