Critters

As a project with grandchildren I started using a camera in the woods to observe the presence of wildlife. Deciding where to place the camera and when to bring it back in to look at pictures has been an adventure. gradually we have become better at the process.

Looking at the pictures is, of course, the much anticipated reward for the long hike into the woods and the finding of ticks on our bodies when we get home. The nightvision shots are not as good as hoped, so there is much guessing about what we are seeing.

What we know for sure is that our woods have many resident deer. Does and yearlings we see frequently, but no old bucks with big racks of antlers. We have plenty of raccoons, seen near creek or pond, along with squirrels and rabbits. We have captured on film the rare fox, opossum, owl, and great blue heron. Also the family cat we see goes far from home into the woods near where we have spotted wild turkey in person but not yet on film.

What began as a project with children has engaged the adults in the community as well. We are all curious to see what the camera trap captures and want to have a say in placement for the next few weeks.