Welcome to the 23rd edition of Windows on Wildlife! If you have a recent post about wildlife you would like to share – it can be anything: birds, insects, mammals – scroll down to the end of the post and add your site; I will compile and post all additions the following week. Please don’t forget to link back here (I’d love it if you’d add the Windows on Wildlife button to your post which you can find on our sidebar) and visit other blogs that have articles to share. Thanks for stopping by!
I mentioned in my post about coyote monitoring the other day, that I’m planning on tracking the movements of the coyotes around our house this winter and spring. During my daily walk with Thorin earlier today, I started thinking about the beginning of the process and what that would look like, as I have very little information about the properties around me.
I then thought about what I wanted to come away with from this process – not just the information about the pack or individuals I would be hopefully able to obtain, but something more tangible I’m a map fanatic, and I’d really like to create a map of this area, including our own property, that includes many of its major features, and at least some of the animal movement patters that I’m able to discern.
When I worked on my master’s thesis one by-product was a series of maps of my study area, all computer-generated (using GIS software) that included multiple layers including trails and tracking information collected using a hand-held GPS unit and was then merged into the final image. I have neither the desire nor the software to re-create that type of finished product. Rather, I would like to create a rough, hand-drawn map that is more about the overall impressions I have of this place, than the proper and very specific – but cold – details of what a natural area contains.
I really don’t know how this will end up. I can’t draw to save myself, so I’m a little entertained that I have this as a goal. Later this week I’ll go through some of the beginning steps I plan on taking to get this project underway.
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Linking up with Nature Notes
Interesting post, I have only seen coyotes in Yellowstone. They are kind of neat to see in the wild.
I’ve seen very few here in the northeast – glimpses of only two or three (everyone else I know sees them all the time, it seems like!). It was when I was in Yellowstone that I really got a chance to observe coyotes for any length of time. I guess that’s why I want to undertake this tracking project – tracking is really the only method of observation I consistently have for eastern coyotes/coywolves.
Thanks for visiting, Eileen!
I’m excited to see this unfold, as I wouldn’t know how to approach such a project. My oldest son absolutely loves maps – subways maps, maps of museums, maps of towns, etc.. He’s been collecting them since he could ask for them. He’s been studying them in his 2nd grade class as of late, much to his delight! We have placemats with the world and the US on it. As a result, he’s pretty darn good at geography! I’m interested to see where you go with the map development.
I’ve always been fascinated with maps – I have a rather ridiculous collection. 🙂 I’m sure I’ll go through quite a few drafts before getting something that’s worth sharing, but I’ll be sure to scan it and share once there’s something worth looking at!
This is so interesting. I know we have coyote here and I guess I would have to learn their tracks in the snow. I will get back your meme although I feel somewhat disconnected from my yard due to recent events and now we are almost into winter…
I hope you have your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving Cynthia….Michelle
I’ll be sure to post plenty of pictures and identification tips for winter coyote tracking!
We had a good holiday, although travel with Thorin was a bit… challenging. 🙂 I’m sure this was a tough Thanksgiving for your family, but I hope you were able to reflect and enjoy the time as much as possible.