Reub's journey

17 December 2016

A winter's gift


We don't get a lot of snow here in western Oregon, but when we do, it is usually a gift. Today, after a recent snow, John and I spent some time with friends on their property north of town. Much of it was about looking at tracks. Who had passed through in the last two days? Cougar and deer.




Bobcat and cougar, crossing the narrow plank bridge over a creek. Given a choice, cats of all sizes daintily avoid stepping in water, don't they?


More than one cougar had been poking around. One big kitty had 5 toes.



That's right: take care not to step on the ferns.


Turkeys.


Cougar hunt deer, and the tracks mingle.


A mouse, wishing to avoid detection, tunnels beneath the snow's surface, then pops up for air.


A mouse above the snow: hopping south on the left, north on the right.  See the tail?


A bobcat, leaving a circle of snow all around her furry foot.


When did the bobcat pass through? There are crystals covering her print, telling us that it wasn't this morning.



At last we left the snowy, tangled woods,


stepped over the icy art on the path, and went into the cabin for soup and a warm fire. All of it a winter's gift.

11 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos! I've never looked very closely at animal tracks before, but now I will.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Linda. Next time you go skiing, check out the animal tracks!

      Delete
  2. Enjoyed the lesson in tracking...well done!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a favorite post of yours. I love looking at tracks in the snow but am not very good at identifying the animal. You have inspired me to study up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can identify a few animals, but our friends are really pretty good at it. Takes patience, and maybe a field guide if you have one.

      Delete
  4. You did some mighty fine tracking.

    ReplyDelete
  5. wonderful post. how fun to find all those tracks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The tracks stand out in the snow. Makes me wonder what I miss when it's melted.

      Delete
  6. Thanks Merry. It's nice to have a bit of winter here.

    ReplyDelete

Talk to me.