|
|
Algonquin Winter Tracking Expedition 2007 |
|
|
Monday (Day 2) |
|
|
 |
Off to a cold start today. |
|
 |
We found a series of wolf
tracks running right along the shoulder of the highway! |
|
|
 |
Close-up of one wolf track
Measuring tracks is an important part of identifying them. |
|
|
 |
We then followed wolf and moose tracks back into this min-bog area. These
moose
tracks are the same moose that we saw yesterday afternoon. |
|
|
 |
Here we found a number of
moose beds. |
|
|
 |
In some of the moose beds we
found moose hair. |
|
|
 |
Moose trail. |
|
|
 |
A single moose track in deeper
snow. Note the "bowtie" shape of the track. This
moose was
traveling to the right.
Anatomy of a footstep: The moose's foot is larger than
the lower part of its leg. So when it places its foot down
into the snow it leaves a larger, roundish mark. As it moves
forward its lower leg cuts a narrow path through the snow.
When its foot exits (towards the right) it leaves once again
a larger roundish hole. However, in this case, the moose
dragged its foot, blowing out that part of the track. |
|
|
 |
We also found and followed the
tracks of a Short-tailed Weasel in the same area. This
track shows the characteristic "dumb-bell" shape of the
trail that weasels sometimes leave behind. |
|
|
 |
A lunchtime fire is always
welcome in the winter! |
|
|
 |
Bird nest in the forest.
Unknown species. |
|
|
 |
After lunch we came upon a
nice set of wolf tracks running along a snowed-in road. |
|
|
 |
Wolves frequently mark their
territory with urine sprays like this one. |
|
|
 |
Raven tracks and wing prints
from it taking off. |
|
|
We saw lots of other things today as well. In the evening a wolf
researcher came and gave a talk about the wolves of Algonquin. |
| |
|
Previous
Next |
|
|
