I owe many thanks today to both Michelle from Rambling Woods, and my lovely dog Freya. Between the two of them, I got myself out of the house for a little walk in the woods behind our house, and made some fun discoveries.
I’m at home sick today with the last remains of a stomach bug (when I told my littlest that my tummy hurt he asked – having overheard me talk to my husband about my stomach bug: “You got a bug on it?” Hilarious and adorable – he’s 2); I have been either in front of my computer or in bed. I have an alarm on my cell phone that goes off at 2 PM every day to remind me to go for a walk. When it went off today, I dismissed it. Then Freya came into the office and nudged me. “I might as well take you out before going back to bed”, I told her. But I had just finished perusing Michelle’s lovely blog and thought, “I really should take the both of us out for a walk in the woods – I’m sure I can find something for my Nature Notes post if I do”. And, voila! – my walk in the woods for today.
Among other things I found some feathers:
which after a closer look revealed many more scattered widely about. I first wondered about a hawk sitting in a pine tree above the trail, having a meal. But noting how far the feathers were spread around (several yards) makes me think it might have been a predator on the ground. Hard to know for certain, since the wind could have blown the feathers about, and they look like they had been there for a few days.
I then found the remains of another meal:
and my first thought was ‘owl pellet’. But I can’t say as I’ve ever seen one on smeared on a log this way. This was all hair and bones – no other remains. I teased it apart a bit to get a better look at the bones:
but it was really cold in the woods and my hands were quickly going numb (and Freya getting impatient), so I left it behind to keep walking.
We crossed under the power lines with the intent to wander about in the hemlock grove on the other side of the clearing, but I got waylaid by some tracks:
As they were in a semi-bounding pattern, my first thought was of the weasel family; and the individual tracks were too big to be anything other than fisher or otter (if it was weasel). The feet definitely have 5 toes, but the toes just aren’t the right shape for weasel. My friend Diane’s book –Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast – helped me decide that these are far more raccoon-like than anything else. That semi-bounding pattern I observed could be a raccoon’s fast walk. That the feet aren’t fully side-by-side and alternated was another clue that these probably weren’t weasel. And Diane’s description of “long, chubby fingers” definitely fit.
I spent so much time with the tracks that we ended up turning back instead of going into the hemlocks, but I had a lovely walk with my girl – and we both got some needed exercise and fresh air.
Cynthia…I will add this link to this Wednesday’s Nature Notes for you so people will have a chance to see it. I love the idea of an alarm for a walk. I am always out for a while in the yard to rinse the bird baths and put seed in the trays and am always looking for signs. I have to get that book as I have one having to do with insect signs that I haven’t read yet.
Must be the season..I am getting over a stomach bug, my least favorite illness. I love what your son said..LOL.. Gotta love how kids think.
I can’t help but think of my friend because like you, she really looked at nature and helped me to discover things in my own yard. It’s hard to explain, but I learned how to be a good observer of nature which is an ongoing process. But she opened my eyes and shared my joy of discovery.
I was going to take a wildlife rehabbing first-aid course and I was so excited, but I was too ill to go and now she is gone. I will still do it, but we would have had much to talk about.
I found a little dead goldfinch on the porch today. It probably hit the door window which I am going to cover in decals. Mary Anna told me that I should take the opportunity to study the little bird and thank it for it’s contribution to my knowledge. I know it sounds strange, but that is exactly what I did.. Such a delicate little bird.
Of course I want your book whenever it comes out as I want to keep learning and keep my eyes open…Michelle
Thanks Michelle! I always love hearing from you and reading your posts and comments – its so fun to have friends and colleges to learn from and share with.
I love Mary Anna’s suggestion of studying the goldfinch. When I started birding, friends used to tell me to study the birds I see every day carefully as it gives you a really good sense of behavior, and a point of comparison when you’re looking at a new species. I’ll have to tell you the story of the wood thrush sometime… my husband shares that story with people occasionally to point out how much of a nature geek I am (it involves our freezer…). He does it with love, though. 😉
Let me know when you get a chance to take the wildlife rehab course – I can’t imagine all the neat stuff you’ll learn! Is there a center near you where you can do rehab once you’re certified (do you get certified?)?
Cynthia…the course is only a starting point and I won’t be able to go any further. Much as I would love to become a rehabber, I couldn’t even meet the demands of a volunteer at our local SPCA, so I wouldn’t be able to do it with my health limitations. Fatigue and stress exacerbate multiple sclerosis symptoms. But I would like to know more about what to do as a first aid until I can get to a rehabber a people in the neighborhood bring me birds they find as they think I know what to do. I know in a limited fashion, but not enough.
I have a friend who was diagnosed with MS a little over a year ago, and went through all the ups and downs that first year as she learned about the disease and what her limitations were, and might become. How long have you had MS? I’m glad to hear you’re taking the course anyway, even if you’re not able to work professionally afterwards. It’s so important to nourish our souls and education is a great part of that.
I was officially diagnosed over 10 years ago, but I feel I was sick earlier than that. If I was well, I would still be teaching and not able to rehab either, so I try to use my time well. My interest in nature does feed my soul…I spent some time looking up a spider I had a photo of and thought I had it Ided, but posted to BugGuide and I was wrong. It was a european orb weaver…an introduced spider…who knew….
nature tells her story in so many ways……… what an interesting walk you had. I was reminded of the fun we had as children re-creating tracks in the sand. 🙂
That’s one of the best things about wandering in the woods – getting to feel like a kid and following your curiosity. I truly hope that the youngest generation of children get the opportunities we all had of free time in the outdoors to explore and be kids without limitations…
Sounds like a nice walk with Freya! I have never found an owl pellet. I do keep searching though. I have seen the owls though. Wonderful nature post. Have a great day!
It’s funny, I never find owl pellets when I’m looking for them. That goes for a lot of things in life, I suppose. 🙂 I’ve got to imagine they disintegrate pretty quickly once they’re, um, deposited by the owl (or other raptor) which is why we don’t find them more often.
I’m sorry you’ve been sick. Wonderful shots and commentary from the nature you observed on your walk.
Hi Carver! It definitely wasn’t the worst stomach bug I’ve ever had – I’m glad I was well enough to get out into the woods for a while!
Freya was a good girl to make you go for a walk! It’s no fun being sick but sometimes fresh air and different venue can improve your attitude. 🙂
She IS a good girl! I love having such a fun companion to wander the woods with; I feel very lucky. Thanks for visiting!
I hope you are feeling better. Thank you for taking us on your nature walk. So glad you could take us with you to see tracks and pellets and leaves and feathers.
Thanks for joining me Leora!
I’m home with the flu bug today, too! I was going to say those were raccoon tracks, as I sometimes see them here in the desert! I’m visiting all the bloggers who posted last week. LOVE your blog!
Cheryl Ann
Thanks for visiting Cheryl Ann! Hope you’re feeling better!