Fox trot

A local denizen of Table Mesa, the prominent landmark for which NCAR's Mesa Laboratory is named, visits the Tree Plaza one spring evening — possibly in search of dinner.

The fox was spotted by SCD administrative assistant Cecelia Banner and SCD software engineers Fred Clare and Will Spangler on 19 May 2004 around 1900. Fred snapped this photo as they watched the foxy character (apparently nibbling a tidbit) for about five minutes.

Then the little fellow left quickly, gracefully trotting up the stairs to the fountain area and disappearing from whence he came.

NCAR maintains the Mesa Lab property as a nature preserve. Fox, mule deer, and other wildlife range over the area and adjoining mountain parks.

Photo: Fred Clare, NCAR/SCD