"A Sand County Almanac"

"THERE ARE SOME WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT WILD THINGS AND SOME WHO CANNOT."
"FOR US IN THE MINORITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GEESE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TELEVISION.".....Aldo Leopold




"LOOK DEEP INTO NATURE, AND THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BETTER".....Albert Einstein


“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves”.....John Muir


Sunday, January 26, 2025

THE PROMISE OF TRACKS IN THE SNOW

 The recent cold weather and fresh snow revealed the exciting possibility of an otter sighting on a small stream...



Otters leave distinctive tracks in snow due to their tendency to take a few steps and slide when the conditions are right...




Due to their mainly nocturnal activities, many don't realize that otters live practically in their backyards. The following are images that I was lucky enough to capture during the day...






I have encountered otters in large lakes and small farm ponds...






When there are more than one, it is usually a family group like the next images of an adult teaching the young to find food by turning over rocks in Pacific Creek...







They are very adept at catching fish and can hold their breath for up to eight minutes...







My favorite place to see them is on small creeks, where they are likely to be close enough for a decent photo...










It will require a great deal of luck, but I intend to keep looking for the one who left these tracks...




Thaks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.




1 comment:

  1. I have never seen an otter, Steve, but I think we had some in the lake down the road because we saw their slide on the roadbank. Or could that have been beavers? They look so very like seals!

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