This Red Fox from Prince Albert NP🇨🇦 and this Gray Zorro from Torres del Paines NP🇨🇱 both had facial injuries. The injuries may have contributed to the foxes being more assertive around visitors than otherwise. Both seemed healthy and the Canadian fox has been seen for 4 yrs and counting.
Like the Red Fox of NA, the Gray Zorro can be quick to take up mooching and begging from visitors to parks. They associate and scavenge from larger predators (in SA Pumas) so are quick to take up this bad habit when humans offer them treats.
Like the wayfaring Anna's Hummingbird, Alberta's nesting hummers (Calliope, Rufous and Ruby-throated) also discover August blooms after nesting. But unlike the Anna's these use the food sources as migratory pit stops and never seem to over extend their visits.
So now, to counteract territorial planting instinct, I remove artificial feeders at the same time the last of the flowers wilt. This year, I last saw my neighbourhood Anna's on Sept 23rd. Hopefully it shot off to the south / west where it might find the appropriate overwintering conditions.
A couple of winters back, a kind resident kept a hummingbird feeder warm to keep it from freezing and a little bird stayed around into the new year - enduring temperatures south of -30C.
While the Anna's Hummingbird instinct is likely to set up an overwintering territory with good feeding, this makes a lot of sense only west of the Rockies in temperate areas. Out on the great plains, the winters are way to harsh for the teeny birds.
Post-breeding dispersal of Anna's Hummingbird is likely a natural strategy - but one that usually fails as wayward birds probably don't often find good feeding. Ornamental and hummingbird feeders change that and the bird's instinct may be to set up a territory.
Every August we see a couple post-breeding individuals (usually immature males) show up in backyard on the 'wrong side' east side of the Rockies. They find bird feeders and ornamental flowers in cities like Calgary🇨🇦 and they settle in.
Thanks Tim - looks very welcoming with many familiar folows!