River Otter Looking Out Over River From Grassy River Bank
Otter slides and tracks leading to an opening in the frozen riverscape.
The December snows have revealed Otter Signs Aplenty! Slides, fishing holes, tracks, marking areas, and holts revealing themselves in the winter wonderland. Though the uncharacteristically balmy, December warmup has literally “dampened” many things, it has only enhances the scents in the air. The river banks that often offer fresh otter tracks and sign on the daily, now also offer a heavier “fishy” scent from their recent nocturnal romps. The melting snow reveals more and more scat and markings (the source of the fishier smell), indicating this river bank as a latrine. An otter latrine is where otters convene, or converge with other otters to communicate between each other socially by means of markings, usually within strong bounds of their home territory.
A pair of Grey Foxes passing through a clearing in the woods. One sniffing an apple piece’s lingering scent, while the other meanders westward. Caught in this same spot again, it is safe to say they are residents, as their territories often hover around one to four square miles.
Their presence has not warded off the Red Fox, nor the Coyote, as both have been spotted since. This winter’s snowfalls will provide some much needed deciphering of tracks as following a Grey Fox was once upon a time only a far-fetched dream. … one that reality has now surpassed.
First sighting of a pair of Grey Foxes visiting the usual spot where deer graze on apples. Raccoons, Red Fox, and Coyote are also regulars to this spot.
The first snowfall comes with a newfound sense of pristine, crisp joy. Blanketing the resting earth, it serves as an insulator….but in the midst of its boreal duties, it can’t help but add beauty to everything it touches, while preserving the beauty of everything that touches it.
As a natural, blank canvas of time lapsed photography, it captures every footprint, paw pad, dragging tail, marking, or any passing of every creature that slinks through the night. First captures: Red Fox tracks and River Otter slides with paw prints in its trek, and a Muskrat’s burrow.
The foxes are in! Dens are unearthed and frequented in preparation for the wriggling bundles of pure fox joy.
Debut of the red fox accompanied by the rollout of the red carpet…. or red sand rather. Recently showing signs of fresh use in the recent snow storm, the den now is in heavy use. In his first photographed appearance of the whelping season, he shows off his winter physique and full-bodied fur, healthy from his tip of his snout to the white tip of his tail.
Willow branches are spry and prime for the picking now just before they go into full bud. Some recent heavy snowfall has weighed down some weaker branches, sending them to the ground, rendering them better suited to be stowed away as a future pain remedy.
Rewilding By Means of Nature Forests, Foraging & Foxes
The Forest Walker 