Two foxes and a hare

On our final drive, back to Ivalo, but still in the heart of the very dramatic and lonely landscape of coastal Norway.  We received a radio call from the van behind us.  There was a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) trotting along the road.  We reversed course, and went back to see the fox.  Beautiful creature moving with sure-footedness over the rocky terrain, scent-marking as he went. He wasn't unaware of us, as the photos suggest, but he was not deterred.  He stayed his course, crossed the road in front of us and continued on.  He appeared robust, healthy and handsome.  A pleasure to see.  What's not to love?  

Above:  Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus).

We saw them daily, singly like the one above, or in groups.  They are also known by many other common names.  They have a comical running style.  I loved them.  A pleasure to see.  

After three or four attempts we finally saw the Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus).  This one and a brown one had been sighted in this location.  The photos below reveal the Arctic Fox molting into its summer coat and color. The Arctic Fox traversed the road back and forth - worrisome; fortunately the road did not seem to be busy and, at one point, he used a drainage tunnel beneath the road to evade us and get to the other side.  He appeared to be looking for food.  I thought about what life must be like for animals (birds, foxes, reindeer ... name any ... constantly on a search for food.  Animals have hard lives.  Before we left, we watched him go up to a couple of houses on a distant hill and circle around a trash can of some sort.  I used "he" to describe this fox.  Knowing that there was also a "brown" Arctic fox, I took the leap to think there was a female with kits in a den somewhere. 

  

The Arctic Fox photos were taken around 10:00 at night and mostly through dirty van windows.  The final three might be with the van door open - can't remember.  They look a little clearer.  True enough, he wasn't wearing his seasonally best coat.  This was our final night in Vardø.  Very lucky sighting of a fabulous animal.  

The Willow Ptarmigan's name is also lagopus.  It originates from Greek meaning "hare-foot."