February 2018 – adventures on the trail blog

Today while out romping the woods following coyote and deer tracks came across a pond and took advantage of the ice and explored over there and came across a good sized beaver hut. While walking closer realized the resident was on guard watching us in the water. We relaxed a little bit and listened to the water move under the ice from time to time along with some loud pops and cracks. On our way out of the woods we had the pleasure of a few Crowned Kinglets following us and bathing in the water along the way. As we came along the last stretch out of the woods came across this porcupine in a tree. It was totatlly amazing wo watch this porcupine as it reminded us both of a sloth. It was dangling by it front paws and dropped as low as it could and rolled the branch around its long claws to stretch its lower back leg out and strech toes and grabbed another branch with the claws. we didn’t really get great shots of this as the tree branches were in front of the porcupine.

Natures Art 4S4A1016wm.jpg — Natures Art

Today the starting temperature outside was 4 degrees and the ending temperature when getting back home was 19 degrees. After our icy outing last weekend our first stop was picking up some boots. Picked out a pair made by Keen, and at the end of the journey my feet were still dry and warm, not once were they cold. Even tested them in water and nothing inside of the boot, so far so good.

We did a short outing today and spent some time at a pond and river. It was exciting we experienced our first encounter of a Blue Jay screeching like a hawk! We had heard some time ago that they mimic hawk screeches as a decoy from preditors. We also witnessed about five to ten minutes later a Red Tailed hawk circling the area.

We had some play time with some little friends that usually travel along with us. We also saw either a beaver or muskrat that quickly disappeared when we approached closer. We waited a bit in hopes it may reappear but never did.

There were quite a few Mallards in a small section of thawed water, which allowed for a few captures before departing the woods. Here are a few photos from todays outing.