November 18, 2018: Tracks Galore

My how quickly things change.  Just a few days ago I was studying deer scrapes in the leaves, and by this weekend they disappeared under a white cloak and all kinds of tracks were waiting to be discovered.

The sudden change in scenery occurred on Friday with a nice soft blanket of snow;  I even got to make my own the tracks in the forest as there was just enough cover for a short ski on the smoothest trails.

An early snow lets one see a great variety of tracks, as animals that will soon bed down for the winter are still active, joining those that will be out and about all winter long.  One big example (no pun intended) is the black bear.

Bear prints are almost human-looking, and similar in size

Photos courtesy of Marge Thorpe

Marge Thorpe found this great set of tracks over on the west side of the lake after a dusting of snow earlier in the week.  It appeared to be a mamma bear with at least one cub in tow.  Marge noted that as she followed the tracks, when they came to the top of a stone wall, they turned around and went back rather than climbing down off the top.  Maybe the cub didn't like the look of that big step!  Weather will determine when the bears settle down in their dens;  it may be a few more weeks before the bird feeders come out.

Another set of tracks not often seen in snow were made by beavers.

Beaver print in the snow

Beavers don't hibernate, but once the lake freezes over they become much less active, staying close to home.  But right now they are still building up their insulating layers of fat and collecting food for winter consumption.

Tender plants cut by sharp beaver teeth

There wasn't the visible tail-drag usually seen with beaver tracks so I wasn't sure it was beaver when I saw the first tracks, but soon enough there was no doubt.

It was also quite clear where they come up from the lake to do their logging work.

A well worn beaver trail coming from the lake

They have even cleared out channels in the thin ice/slush on the lake from their frequent travels. 

There are other tracks there on the ice, but I wasn't about to venture out to investigate.

Where do they take all those trees and branches?  They put them right beside their lodge for handy winter snacking - a sure sign of an active lodge.

A nice pantry is being stocked right outside the front door

A bit farther along I thought I saw another, more ragged beaver channel.

But as I approached I saw only deer tracks leading to the point of entry, so evidently a deer decided to make its way over to the nearby island to browse.  And there are lots of deer tracks everywhere - often following the trails - including these two tracks which were made by a doe and her fawn.

In several places they stopped to feed, in this spot, nibbling on some sheep laurel on the shoreline.

It was just an early taste of getting to see who's been out travelling through the forest all year.  I'm always humbled when I'm reminded that all these animals have been here all summer long without me ever knowing it.

A mink pokes its nose in a hole by the lake - perhaps an entrance to one of its dens?

This snow looks like it won't last long, but there will be more on the way!