Over the Christmas holidays I enjoyed some wintry walks in the woods. I’m learning that, when trying to identify birds and other wildlife, you don’t have to see them to know they’re around. I’m trying to learn bird calls, although, for now, I couldn’t tell you who’s singing beyond Chickadees, Red-wing Blackbirds, Jays and few others. But animal tracks, evident after a recent snowfall, are another way to see who’s in the neighbourhood.
Here are a few pictures of tracks I took while on one of those Christmas walks, while visiting the Frontenac Arch area. (I kinda think that seeing tracks is one of the best ways to see wildlife. I would rather let habitats be wild, and that means free of human encroachment.)
These are deer tracks. I wasn’t surprised to see them — there is an overpopulation of deer in the area, and, mainly through devouring young trees, the deer have taken a serious toll on the habitat. (And, lovely, their little round poops are everywhere. Ech.)
These are turkey tracks. Yes, wild turkey are living the good life in the Frontenac Arch!
Coyote track next to my boot print
These are coyote tracks. A lot of coyotes inhabit the area, but they aren’t generally aggressive toward people.
Have you enjoyed wildlife… without actually seeing any animals?
