Finding Red Fox
Silently watching the sacred creature from a concealed perch in the rocky, snow-covered hillside, the Apache hunter marvels over the powerful, spiritual connection he feels with the red fox. During this desolate time of year, when days are bleak and cold, he gives thanks to the fox who, according to Apache legend, Ò[stuck] its tail fur into the flame and [stole] fire for the humans,Ó[1] thereby giving his ancestors the gift of flames.Ó He takes note of the careful, exact movements the fox makes while prowling for prey, committing them to memory so he can later channel them into his own hunt. Despite feeling such peace and deep connection to the Great Spirit while spending time alone with his spirit fox, the hunter reluctantly knows he must soon resume gathering food to feed his family. With one last fleeting look, the Apache turns back toward the direction of his peoplesÉ
The solitary red fox remains frozen in place until she is certain the watchful human is no longer in the vicinity. Her keen ears heard his steady heartbeat as soon as she entered the field, but deciding he posed little threat, she continued her hunt while astutely monitoring his presence. Treading lightly over the powdery snow on quick paws, the red fox listens to the faint signs of life around her. She pauses as she detects the scuffling feet of a mouse moving just below the snowy blanket beneath her. Listening intently to pinpoint the exact location of her prey, Red Fox tenses every muscle in preparation to attack and, with a practiced leap, suddenly launches herself upwards. With the form of a perfect Olympic diver, the fox arcs in mid air and takes a head-first nosedive, breaking through the deep layer of crisp, set snow. She gnashes her powerful jaws until they enclose around the warm, squealing mouse and she feels triumph. Pulling herself out of the uniform hole with her powerful hind legs, Red Fox then quickly eats her mouse while surveying her surroundings again for potential foes and threats.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP15zlyra3c
Satisfied with her hunt, Red Fox resumes her stealthy trot through the snow-trodden wilderness, systematically placing her hind feet in the exact holes made by her forepaws to avoid trackers. She scavenges under trees for fallen berries and roots as she makes her way along the bank of the frozen stream. Red FoxÕs golden, feline-like eyes dart up to a hawk circling the air high above her. She knows it has been eyeing her and she picks up her pace, moving rapidly under the protection of the tree line. Thinking ahead, she diverts her path deeper into the trees to confuse the hawk, eventually doubling back and darting in to the disguised entrance of her familiar den.
Inside, she is greeted by four seven-week-old fox kits, each eagerly pawing over one another to be first in line to receive milk from their mother. At peace knowing nothing has harmed her babies whilst she hunted, she submissively rolls onto her side to allow her kits to suckle her. As dusk approaches, she curls her thick, bushy tail around her body to insulate herself from the dropping temperature.
Awakened by the unfamiliar sound of human voices, Red Fox jolts to her feet as a sharp crack of a shotgun echoes through the still air. Kits close on her tail, she creeps to one of the multiple escape exits carved in to the rear of the den, barely peeping her head out to plan an escape. Red Fox is suspicious of humankind and her mind is racing to protect her babies. Adrenaline coursing through her small frame as they dart out from under the protection of their covered den, the red fox races towards one of the old dens previously used to shelter her newborns. Arriving safely, she deposits the pups in the comfortable, familiar space and cautiously returns outside to mark her territory. Urinating on surrounding trees and rocks, the fox makes a wide circle searching for signs of other inhabitants. She lets out of series of barks to see if her mate is still in the area, but disappointed with no response, she retreats into the den to settle in to her new lodgings.
http://www.angelfire.com/ar2/thefoxden/call.wav
Departing the wilderness of my own mind, I am suddenly conscious of my own slow breathing and still, relaxed human body as I awaken from my peaceful meditation. For many moments, I lay caught between my animal and human form, unwilling to rise to the surface of my animalistic thoughts. Finally, with a deep, soothing breath, I open my eyes. I am in a state of total naturalness and serenity, now understanding the connection between my spirit animal, the red fox, and myself. By teaching me to harness her strengths, accept our faults and minimize my weaknesses, Red Fox will guide me through my transformation into a purer being.
Two of the red foxÕs most noted strengths are her sense of resourcefulness and adaptability. The innate awareness of her surroundings allows the fox to utilize resources to the best of her abilities and keep out of danger. Experts in the field emphasize Òthe red fox varies its diet widely and can adapt to almost any environment, precluding its identification with a single habitat.Ó[2] By being able to thrive in any environment, the common red fox has never been constricted to a particular area, making them elusive creatures to study. This adaptability to almost any environment has allowed the red fox to amply reproduce and is thus Ònot listed as endangered anywhere.Ó [3]
During mating
season, foxes rarely waste valuable time digging a den to shelter their
soon-to-be cubs, instead opting to locate abandoned dens and modify them to fit
their needs. These modifications include adding as many of five alternate exits
and hidden entrances to provide the fox family easy escape routes in case of
emergencies.[4]
Always thinking ahead, foxes are as much planners as adapters, using both in
tandem as needed. Similar to these wild animals, I try to channel the foxÕs
ability to adjust when my preconceived plan no longer suits my path. This
adaptability in humans is Òa matter of controlling and utilizing your energy to
the fullest to meet whatever the life situation requires.Ò[5]
Being able to formulate and then reformulate how to accomplish both long-term
and short-term goals is a necessary component of successfully commanding in a
position of leadership. In high school, I was always given the task of planning
and orchestrating events, whether that be in Student Council planning the
Homecoming Dance or organizing my friends on a Relay For Life team to help
fight cancer. Many times, I became so stressed when the smallest detail
wouldnÕt go as I had planned. However, as I would take charge of more events in
and out of school, I realized that in order to be a more effective leader and
produce the best outcome possible, I had to learn to manage my stress and find
a way to fix problems fluidly as they arose. This adaptability is a skill that is definitely a learned
trait and one I have to continue challenging myself to maintain.
The red fox is often the
symbol of slyness and deceit. Above all other twenty-one species of fox, the
red fox is most commonly known as Òa cunning opportunist, because
[she] uses [her] special physical characteristics, various sly movements and
hunting behaviors to catch food, hide and escape from predators—including
man.Ó[6]
For centuries, the fox has been identified in literature, folklore, and even
nature as a thief. From my own
childhood, television shows such as Dora the Explorer chose the red fox as the
villain to steal from society, further labeling these creatures as mischievous
robbers. However, it is rather the independence and privacy portrayed by these
animals, not the desire to steal, that lends them to this stereotype. The
stealth of traveling alone provides the fox with the best opportunity to take
useful resources unnoticed, not needing brute force when she could easily use
intelligence to get what she needs and get out. Despite being incredibly useful
in the wild, these deceptive traits are unfortunately not as favorably viewed
in the ethical human world or as a valuable leadership quality. While I believe
as a fox, I do naturally channel some deceit and cunning into my life, it is something
I must fight to resist. Suppressing this urge, however, is not an easy feat; I
can admit that I often catch myself bending the truth or exaggerating a
situation to use it to my own advantage. While honesty both internally and
externally is important, I think it also lends to being easily manipulated or
taken advantage of. As I am never
an easy target for manipulation, I tend to think that this cunning and trickery
of the fox is reflected in me in the form of craftiness. According to legend, Òthe fox is famous
for craftiness...What the wolf executes by force alone, the fox performs by
address, and often with more successÉHe exerts more genius than motion, and all
his resources are within himself.Ó [7]
Like the fox, I would call myself both self-reliant and at times an
opportunist, thinking of my own prosperities over those of others. My
opportunistic approach is certainly not my most attractive or redeeming
quality, but one I can accept is deep within my soul and serves as another
strengthening tie between the red fox and me. This trait, if not completely controlled, could hinder my
development as a leader and restrict me from thriving in a group setting.
Complementing her tricky personality, the foxÕs physical
characteristics also contribute to her skillful ways of life. Her full coat
allows her slight, ten-pound frame to appear to double in size to ward off
predators. Ranging from rusty red to reddish-yellow or copper-brown, this coat also allows the red fox to
blend into her varying habitats to avoid danger. The beautiful red coat of the
fox provides confidence, protection and security to the creature. Similarly to
the coat of the red fox, I have always felt drawn to the color red. It
seemingly pops up in my life everywhere; my elementary, middle, and high school
representative colors were always vibrant red and royal blue; I am in the Red
McCombs School of Business here at the University; the canyon where my familyÕs
cabin was built is called Rojo Gallinas
Canyon; even all of my profile pictures on Facebook depict me sporting red
articles of clothing. When I wear red, I feel a type of power and confidence
come over me; the feeling that I can do anything and have no limitations
holding me back wraps around me like a red scarf. I believe it was my unconscious
that connected with the red fox in particular because we both had a mutual
understanding of the power of the color red and its significance in my life.
The final lesson I must
take from my spirit fox is the power to accept myself for who I am and not be
affected by what others think. The fox exudes confidence and carries herself in
such a way that commands respect from all who see her. She trusts in her own
judgment and intelligence and nonchalantly lets everyone else do the same. As I continue to grow and use my fox as
a guide, I must always remember to follow my own instinct. I do not have to
prove myself to anyone—after all, with so many prying eyes these days, a
fox must always Òkeep [her] privacy to [herself] and always keep a part of [herself]
private.Ó[8]
List of Illustrations:
1. A video capturing the hunter diving to catch her prey. [9]
2.
The red fox gracefully launching herself into the air while on the hunt[10]
3. The bark of a red fox calling to her mate. [11]
4. The red
fox is a master of camouflage in the autumn.[12]
5. ÒSwiper,
no swiping!Ó [13]
6.. Me channeling my inner red fox[14]
Word Count: 2005
Word Count without captions or quotes: 1807
URL Blog Version: https://courses.utexas.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp