I really enjoy looking out for animal tracks. I can’t always tell them apart, the coyote and bobcat tracks look similar to me for instance. Lovely post again Neil! I always enjoy reading them.
Thank you Aria and same here. I really like how tracks tell a story and we have the opportunity to follow where the tracks came from, where they are going, and who created them.
Agreed! A few months into dry season, when the trails finally dry up, there is a layer of “mud” for a week or two and it’s prime for looking for tracks. Deer, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, all manner of creatures can be spotted by their tracks and I love it so much!
Neil and Nathaniel - did you happen to see the Bird Note invitation I posted in Notes? If not, you can go to birdnote.org. It's an invitation to submit stories, styled after the Moth Radio. There are many fine birders/writers here on Substack who surely would qualify.
I enjoy Meditations on Nature. Nature is so healing.
I am grateful for your acknowledgement! Sharing love and stewardship to show how we can live together in peace and prosperity has become my mission, to restore soils and souls.
Beautiful post, Neil. The scale comparison with the glove and pole and coyote track really gives me a sense of place on the trail. There's a naturalnwinter blue filter in the snow photos which is stunning. The sijo again sets the stage for this wildlife wonder.
Thank you Heidi. I thought I'd use my trekking pole and glove as scale like you mention as I do see a lot of Red Fox tracks in the area. But seeing the size of the tracks and the length, it helped narrow it down to Coyote. I've had a single fleeting glimpse of one in the park at dusk - of course no camera and I was driving out of the park! Maybe next time!
Very interesting post. We have coyotes here in Virginia Beach, Va of all places. I've seen them crossing major interstate highways here. Fearless but cautious, beautiful while scraggly. Tracking seems another great observational pursuit in the wild. Also, nice question: "What footprints do you leave behind for those following tomorrow?"
Thanks Gary. That is interesting too that they're in Virginia Beach as well. I do like tracking them and others like Red Foxes. I'm hoping to catch sight of a Coyote in the park someday again. My last time seeing one was several years ago and it was at dusk while I was driving out of the park.
I really enjoy looking out for animal tracks. I can’t always tell them apart, the coyote and bobcat tracks look similar to me for instance. Lovely post again Neil! I always enjoy reading them.
Thank you Aria and same here. I really like how tracks tell a story and we have the opportunity to follow where the tracks came from, where they are going, and who created them.
Agreed! A few months into dry season, when the trails finally dry up, there is a layer of “mud” for a week or two and it’s prime for looking for tracks. Deer, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, all manner of creatures can be spotted by their tracks and I love it so much!
I love coyotes and often can hear them howling at night in the valley behind our house. It's such a magical, spooky sound.
Agreed Nathaniel. I miss some and hearing. Their howling/yipping is spooky at night! Especially when you can hear them getting closer!
Neil and Nathaniel - did you happen to see the Bird Note invitation I posted in Notes? If not, you can go to birdnote.org. It's an invitation to submit stories, styled after the Moth Radio. There are many fine birders/writers here on Substack who surely would qualify.
Thanks JT and I will check it out.
Didn't see that! Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out!
I immediately thought about your Grandfather/Grandmother stories: funny, poignant and all about birds.
If the idea interests you, please share.
Thank you for thinking of me and for the kind words :)
There’s nothing quite like watching a coyote lope by in the distance
I miss x-country skiing and following tracks through the snow. Do not miss jump starting vehicles though. Thanks for the post
Thanks B Stings and much appreciated.
I always love seeing/hearing coyotes. They remind me that the wild still lives among us.
Agreed Emma. I like that aspect of seeing them. Like a subtle nudge of the wilderness as a reminder.
Yes!
Thank you, Neil!
I enjoy Meditations on Nature. Nature is so healing.
I am grateful for your acknowledgement! Sharing love and stewardship to show how we can live together in peace and prosperity has become my mission, to restore soils and souls.
And thank you Robin and very much appreciated. I really like your message of peace and prosperity and mission.
Beautiful post, Neil. The scale comparison with the glove and pole and coyote track really gives me a sense of place on the trail. There's a naturalnwinter blue filter in the snow photos which is stunning. The sijo again sets the stage for this wildlife wonder.
...natural winter...(not sure how that typo got in there)
Thank you Heidi. I thought I'd use my trekking pole and glove as scale like you mention as I do see a lot of Red Fox tracks in the area. But seeing the size of the tracks and the length, it helped narrow it down to Coyote. I've had a single fleeting glimpse of one in the park at dusk - of course no camera and I was driving out of the park! Maybe next time!
Coyotes have an ever growing presence in North America, so it seems like you have a good photographic shot at it. I will stay tuned!
Very interesting post. We have coyotes here in Virginia Beach, Va of all places. I've seen them crossing major interstate highways here. Fearless but cautious, beautiful while scraggly. Tracking seems another great observational pursuit in the wild. Also, nice question: "What footprints do you leave behind for those following tomorrow?"
Thanks Gary. That is interesting too that they're in Virginia Beach as well. I do like tracking them and others like Red Foxes. I'm hoping to catch sight of a Coyote in the park someday again. My last time seeing one was several years ago and it was at dusk while I was driving out of the park.