https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1 daily 0.75 2018-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504726799722-OYKWS67ZIUHRDKHZUIN7/Blog+banner+9-2017.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/4/1/elusive-lions-set-a-project-free monthly 0.5 2018-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522599285125-3VMYPSQWUQXASRW7JZU0/lion+looking+up-Creative+Commons+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Creative Commons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605001762-LWP9SLE9HP9OL7Y74J01/01-otterBLM.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free North American river otter. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606602427-B6J97CWG8N58R4PYA5J1/14-Duane%2Band%2BJim.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Looking for lions on the SD cards. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606616423-YQW2L4KE7D93G4UEI16C/15-crewErin.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free This is what tending trail cameras looks like. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605109262-YIJJU8ANS58B2VSBF046/04-BlackPhoebeBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Black phoebe. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605956615-T1TVP8CTXFCBJEX66N03/05-crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Crew members Erin, Duane, Elizabeth, Chris and Richard. Courtesy of Kyle Bowlin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605811710-4IZY31029EPMX27DKWJ6/03-crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Crew members Pam, Chris, Erin, Richard, Christina, Mary, Tom and Elizabeth. Courtesy of Carlene Gansberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522607159893-CNRG46PH2DLDHPTTTKA9/Otters%2B2016-08-04%2Bcopy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Otter group. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606476441-FB01H2WNYOLL3G3PQIUC/06-Rick%2Bchecking%2Bcamera%2Bsunny%2Bday.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Primate framed! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605173066-LSUWABFTE3G8K78Z0BVD/10-Bobcat%2B2015-07-07%2Bcopy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Bobcat. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605080809-1RW1X71LBNRPO7RU20GP/02-bobcatBLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Bobcat. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605192312-S4HR4HEE0W6AG1VL8O3F/11-Coyote%2B1%2Bcopy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Coyote. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522618792809-NXCMXRZPVOXNWNS7LACP/theteam%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Misty, perfect morning for camera checks. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606514534-ZXQTUJTNTOETL4IBXZ4Q/09-Rick%2B-%2BRichard%2BLarson.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Looking for tracks. Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606490190-FJ2KWX7UJPTC9CI1KHJM/07-tom%2Bremoving%2Bshaw%2Bcamera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free The nuts and bolts of trail cameras. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605095193-N39QVXTJ64OO819KS98S/03-heronBLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Great blue heron. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605160710-MRLBFUALBQYRQQCQRR5H/09-CoyoteCallingBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Coyote. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522618758153-FECB79M95YH39O1P16U4/01_Lion%21BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free ummm..Lion?..... Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606503293-ET65G70J64MKDAOT1AV7/08-emma%2Bat%2Bcamera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Checking camera operations. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522613448092-BEY07IBRZYJL24BWF2R2/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605123929-6AL7B5V54RZF50RJIG34/05-deerskunkBLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Striped skunk and Black-tailed deer. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606558089-P759O0XREKZ0X3GBP20G/11-Elizabeht%2Band%2BChris.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Watching the river. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606584307-GATJX2C3VKOJ12UHW1HU/13_patrickatcamera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Recording field data. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606631830-AVDMMZII6SG2A65B0RE7/16-Richard_ChrisLlewellyn.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Big old snag and a hooman for scale. Courtesy of Chris Llewellyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605149103-XU6IBYM9VZKE2RLKQVH9/08-buckBLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Two bucks. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605777760-FLFGBUV4CCF0AGWLSA33/01-Lion%2Bcrew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Crew members Elizabeth, Erin, Richard, Diana and Jim. Courtesy of Alex Cabrera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606545108-JER8J26JRERJ6NQ7DR9L/10%2Bcrew%2Bshot.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Field work. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606646710-Q0QJI811SCK7PXQLF0UE/17-rickBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free See you down the trail.... Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606570116-B0QMAJ3V58O44Z8ANRJ2/12-Mary%2Band%2Bher%2Bcar%2BMaria%2B%2BCulhane.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free All weather camera checks. Courtesy of Maria Culhane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606264391-JYU33E1JYJ6XC94PQ7JX/02-Crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Crew members Richard, Sarah, Erin, Patrick, Diana with Broxton, and Kristin. Courtesy of Emma Greene https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522606529704-NU128BM85RIU7JV45YSW/10-emmarichard.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Camera talk. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605136589-B83V8FLDGFCHWNWYQQLI/07-%2BMystery%2BBck%2B2%2BTP%2BBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Buck. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522605871561-OX5ZXPU66TZJ4GT2MNBV/04-crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Elusive Lions Set a Project Free Crew members Elizabeth, Richard, Matthew, Patrkc, Erin, Diana and Broxton. Courtesy of Alex Cabrera https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/3/20/rubber-boots-and-wet-cameras monthly 0.5 2018-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576283568-V4JI0V38IYRFS6G0LZAO/hiwaytothesun+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Highway to the sun! Seas of mist swirled across the land and across the road as the sun came up over the Sierra. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576041321-HSVIURV6MLEJNS4O1ALX/oakandmistyground.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Near one of the trail cameras in the early morning. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521583422811-YEH37XNRANO1LMUU0B4M/01_Lion%21BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras What the heck...? We've got our mountain lion, by Jove! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521583983436-J089DE37DCL3Y3PZ14JI/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576355647-EFT0EMX18GQL9T5HJ4Z6/theteam%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Crew members Duane and Chris, starting out on the walk to our first camera. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521579381971-YTROS90MSU8B1KYYAI0F/coyotewatching+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Our old friend Coyote stops to check out the primates as we check her out and try to get good photos! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521577504206-KTVTC1NDQ22YBSCJITQ3/youngoaksflooded.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras A forest of young oak trees getting some much needed deep watering from this last week's rain and flood event. Note the wet marks on the tree trunks show the highest water level. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576068441-6YC7IFGQ9Z8XC0AAUYGG/cattails.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Cattails and frost! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521583638978-JPKDVM4MOHSG2BTCVH1B/02MallardPairBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras A mallard pair checking out the new waterworks in front of one of our cameras. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521581545988-9O27DLZBP01CWSJ3JXNK/lioncrew1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Mountain lion camera crew members Erin, Duane, Elizabeth, Chris and Richard. Courtesy of Kyle Bowlin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576430659-OWBPR7SD07QCVSNEC00F/walkinwater.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Crew members Duane and Chris wading across a flooded area that got too deep for us to reach the camera on the other side of the slough. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521580530351-PABRSVNJUWY3GQEM5XHA/coolcoyotetrack.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras At first glance we weren't sure what was going on here! On closer inspection, we saw that the heel pad is on the bottom and the two middle toes have registered close together, making a solid, heel-pad like shadow. You can see nail imprints at the top of the photo. This coyote was stepping along towards the top of the photo. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521581420611-9XXSRXJRQMS04HG1YEMW/lionalert%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras How we did it. Crew member Chris carefully approaches a trail camera and gets her 'lion' on! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521581567823-IVM7QA1WW3TG36GL1XWG/lioncrew2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Four mountain lions and a concerned deer. Can you find the worried deer here? Courtesy of Kyle Bowlin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521577323313-LAC1F0UIZ4M8HZ46ETTG/wetsavannah.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Normally a dry, grassy savannah this area was stomping grounds for ducks today! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521579787636-UBS642347HTQECV6SUOZ/marshwren.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras A very vocal marsh wren watches us as he continued to pipe up! Note the spread eagle position of his legs as he grasps the cattail stems for a better look at us. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521575870992-WET4RKP59NM6QIL97GLY/coyoteonthelookout.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576479562-RC9FWGHN26U0XJPWCH4P/ElizabethMaryinwater.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Crew members Elizabeth and Mary proving that they attempted to reach the cameras but the water just got too deep! Courtesy of Maria Culhane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521583623804-U1D7FHEGGUQ6GCDFWN61/05WoodduckpairBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Two Wood ducks floating by the camera. This is the same camera that took the bobcat picture above, just 3 days earlier. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521584488727-M57H9A9B84HFX2YHH5AR/09CoyoteBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Coyote moseying by the camera earlier this year. The same camera that shows the mallard pair above paddling by just last week! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521583964371-9TQ2Z8O2JAAEDP8MJ6E2/06LionLion%21BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras A final view of the mysterious lion caught on our cameras this week! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521583663918-NS8Y7TP7CE72RRI4PMD7/04BobcatBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Bobcat. This could be a juvenile, perhaps one of the kittens we caught on camera in November. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521577672622-XF9MZFJESM3TFE29GKHC/Elizabeth_Maria.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Crew member Elizabeth scouting the terrain! Courtesy of Maria Culhane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521581449305-BLNBXDCL84K0GN19BXH6/funphoto2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras What's this? Another mountain lion in the bushes, quietly observing us! We won't know if it's the same one we caught on camera until we compare the DNA! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521577701909-08YA0G3NYN03FICGJ1GB/Mary_Maria.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Crew member Mary on a flooded road and looking up! Courtesy of Maria Culhane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521576741496-L1EZSJGBBHZ9BD0KA77H/Camerainwater.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras One of our cameras that likely got submerged in the last few days as it was in a low spot and mounted on a T-post lower than five feet. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521580444994-CI2VJ8506GOPF9KCEUXE/bobcatfronttrack.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Bobcat track. The large heel pad means this is probably a front paw. Also deer tracks in the upper left by the ruler. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521579140866-ANSXNJBE92K748QPGUOA/baldeaglenesting+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras A bald eagle taking some nesting material back to a nest site - this means there's a breeding pair of bald eagles on the Preserve! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1521580467556-J20PI2KUQOREGTBFMMBT/classiccoyotetrack.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Rubber Boots and Wet Cameras Coyote track. Note the deep toe prints in relation to the heel pad. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/3/13/tracks-and-quail-and-spiders monthly 0.5 2018-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973642485-UI2BW7AV5MD8OSI390QM/02_bobcatBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Bobcat. A clear image showing this individual's spots and stripes very well. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520969427392-TPLRO2YB10X97OIQTF6I/05_spider+bloom.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Funnel-web spider's burrow and the flat web sheet surrounding it used to lure and catch insects. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520974574994-GD8WUCXLCU3UBI6SH06V/07_bobcattrack5+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Bobcat track! Round with a broad heel pad. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973685499-0YH5QX5ZGAN5VA3LR1WF/05_struttingtomBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Wild turkey tom struttin' his stuff as the hens observe his prowess while foraging. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520972383458-KSEXCIU6K2X97L37KYKC/01_PatrickErinBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Crew members Patrick and Erin. Erin appears to be explaining the size of a fish she just caught. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520969526354-RBMLJV57UE6DRALL5N05/05_funnelwebspidercamera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! This funnel-web spider thought it would be grand to make a burrow between our trail camera and the T-post! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973710533-U9ZKKJ9KGVLBG6KQ81ZY/04_coyoteheadshakeBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Coyote maybe caught shaking out an ear itch or getting rid of a fly? Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520969133699-HA2KU3DW7PHW34154SMT/06_quail+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! California quail in the middle of the road and seen through the low ground mist before the sun came out. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520969210973-WS2MA2TYVZJFBWFC54KG/05_spiderbloom3.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Orb weaver web, be-dewed in the early morning light. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520970499290-ZD187WWM1RENIRPFX8IW/07_bobcatscat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Bobcat scat - hard, felty and with clear segmenting. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520968931485-GXRO1ZMNCIB99KXBIWMM/03_good+light.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! The rich, beautiful light on the Preserve when the sun broke through. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973736659-CKQFF3RQ74FQTVJ7B1FU/03_doeseyesBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! How many deer do you think are in this picture? Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973723821-R53PZ1Y5P9LUJ1PK0DRO/07_ottersBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Otters scampering by! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973570398-T7RLGQ5D4E43JAMXJCLT/06_eeriedoeeyesBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Whoa! These two does danced around this trail camera for about 300 images! This one catches a ghostly-looking doe in the background eyeing her companion who is likely getting an ear scratch using the camera and post! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520969446074-O8FWBJL5PGOJU9Z8T9EM/05_spiderbloom2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Funnel-web spider with a pretty large web sheet! You can see the spider's burrow hole in the middle left of the web sheet. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520968874026-LT0CYLOPDVDIDEZZAEYP/14_ducksandcattails.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Early morning misty magic on the Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520980696491-QAV9XAH6J06JE1OWYMAF/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973654436-0IXUSB323DARCGZ5LYHS/02_doeBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! It seems like this doe is listening to several things at once. Sound behind her and something to the right. It's possible coyotes were calling or she was listening for the approach of her herd companions. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520968756564-AN542YG2F66L31AK70WZ/01_GBH+track+front.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520971739735-M9AV78G3GT27M2HGQEQD/12_buckdewclaws.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Buck track with dewclaws visible. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973470950-9VH3QGDXJXGVUBBWXHPV/16_redshouldered+hawk.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! A juvenile red-shouldered hawk sat on a phone pole and called repeatedly, maybe wanting a response from a parent. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520972227107-S6Z23VDOI1D8W511TTU0/10_nibbledasparagus.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Who nibbled off the wild asparagus tips? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520969033335-7R4P4BSF5PILN8UKKHSC/13_patrickatcamera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Crew member Patrick gets down to business recording field data on a trail camera. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520973671637-ZIGB29AAHIOW79C4AF1J/08_WgreysquirrelBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! A Western grey squirrel - note the grey coat and white underside. These squirrels are tree dwellers and are native to California unlike the non-native Eastern fox squirrels on the Preserve that have more rust coloration. Eastern fox squirrels were first introduced to Capitol Park and now outnumber Western grey squirrels in many areas, competing with them for food and other resources. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520970530504-6KKV6OBDC90BEWYVAD5Q/15_coyotescat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Coyote scat - soft, twisty with visible hair and fur. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520971883931-NBOMCXSTJJ7ESK9CVCK7/GBH+track.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Tracks and Quail and Spiders! Great blue heron track with offset rear toe. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/3/6/watching-for-spring monthly 0.5 2018-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376110285-JUC2R8I8T9DXEGXR7Y7U/03_Jim%26Patrick.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Crew members Jim and Patrick taking care of business: Jim scribes the field data and Patrick changes the SD card and checks camera settings. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376609188-JXKGIGTR8EXWHSY4V1K3/03_Patrick%26Jim.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Crew members Patrick and Jim taking care of another camera. We all take turns scribing, handling the cameras and managing the SD cards. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379270464-H1GA77GHXGPVR9G08UY4/06+buckphotobombBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Buck photo bomb at the scratching post! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376964570-WZ2PSNT5OYXE1NFNBNIT/rickBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Crew member Rick takes a backward glance at the scratching post camera! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379190324-3GFXMUPLFZEAG9YT2TCG/03+coyote2BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Coyote on the move and mindful of our camera. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376522696-K1626PYK1SSLRSLYRRPB/04_raccoon%26turkey+tracks+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Raccoon tracks on the left and wild turkey tracks on the right. Note the rear toe claw visible on the turkey track and how it registers directly behind the middle toe. A great blue heron's rear toe would register offset from the middle toe. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520378592133-H8V80VFTJLIVI54WZ6N2/coyote+bobcat+compare.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Coyote track on the left. Nail marks are visible and you can see the telltale 'X' between the front toes and the heel pad. That is, you can draw a line between the 1st and 2nd toe pad down along the heel pad and a line between the 3rd and 4th toe pads down along the other side of the heel pad. (Try squinting at the track to get the 'X'.) Bobcat track on the right, rounder in shape, no 'X' (that is, if you tried to draw a line between the 1st and 2nd toe pads down along the heel pad, you'd run into the heel pad) and the back edge of the heel pad has the curvature of a feline track. Canine would read as two distinct lobes. Left photo: Erin Hauge Right photo: Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379150800-I50VV1GRR83YZWK261WX/07+howmanydoesBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring How many does are there in this photo? Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379215838-ISTS05MDCAQ1X5MDBVDA/05+otters2_BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Two North American river otters running side by side! Four eyes and two tails give it away! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379179434-P5OFPD3S8Q6KPROSGZAC/02_bobcatBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Beautiful night shot of a bobcat, capturing the distinctive coat of spots and stripes. Every bobcat has individual coat markings, a key identification tool for establishing population numbers. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520367625053-MWSZYW05HXZGFNE0N648/01_DoefrontBLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376978834-K5E7KU65PHG5DY25GIC3/richardBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Crew member Richard in the field. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379202347-1YHFFP7HKUL2MQM9C10D/04+GBHBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Great blue heron steps past the camera. The slough is just behind the camera so he or she is only several yards from water. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376091163-4ETE5KJTHRIMJJOURV89/02_Vultures.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Two turkey vultures taking a sun bath at one of our camera locations. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376993747-0VG8SOZKMPP5N2S4IGTU/crew1BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Trail camera snaps a photo of crew member Erin snapping a photo of crew members Patrick and Rick! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520379286585-LZJCJ6VI3A6PYCNSNMHV/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376067831-QHQ4L5IMDQID5O5R92LV/01_morning.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Sunrise through the fog at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376215746-IIDWIT9P9X1KV0ILW8UE/06_lowflow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Wider view shot of the snag on the low flow and rapidly flowing water. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376149280-O6HS7CL61OZQ38ILDFJX/05_Erinatlowflow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Crew member Erin, ruler in hand, stands before the great snag on the low flow amid the rising Cosumnes river! Courtesy of Jim Grimes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1520376561684-CHWWV6GJRNGTJNJYRL4L/08_gametrails.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Watching for Spring Game trails in the new green grass. There's a smaller trail running diagonally off the main trail that heads directly away from the camera. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/2/26/field-day-in-the-field monthly 0.5 2018-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519693977429-IV2SW84XOZ3B6QZP5C2N/Camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! One of our cameras on a bright winter day. This one is facing mainly north. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519692943585-0XNLT0PPKJ3W3K8CO1CU/WildAsparagus.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Wild asparagus! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519692848838-D7D08UH78CNIUXFXM0K5/SunnySide.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Across the slough is the Tall Forest, and once spring is sprung, we won't have the ground visibility to see as far back into the tree stands as we now do. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519692704507-D3XU5B6EHER7WYCC44NW/BaldEagle2+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! A Bald eagle surveying a winter pond where ducks and coots were doing their morning foraging. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519693293782-UJ9ITAVZX6XAS4YKF9NH/OwlPellet.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Big owl pellet! Possibly from a Great horned owl. This pellet was pretty fresh and there were feathers and some bone we found when we broke it apart. Owl pellets break apart easily and have a felt-like quality that intersperses digested fur, bone, teeth, insect parts and feathers from past meals. You’re likely to find a mouse skull, part of a gopher’s jaw bone or a beetle’s glittering carapace! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519692529252-BV49W3OAV50ZZOIX93SJ/BaldEagle.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519693173389-VDR05ZZ1TZP3T4UX2574/RedTailHawk+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Red tailed hawk soaring. There were two in the sky and they called back and forth - maybe a hawk in training? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519779392865-1S4XHTAIWSLIGSG7RPSJ/11MysteryPhotoOtterBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Mystery photo! Can you find the mammal in this picture? And what is it? Answer below. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519698450198-LQHECXJBVTVVS0O2AK7I/leaping+lion+logo.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519780301495-D4TQ0M6SS46UF91N3PZX/05BlackPhoebeBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Black Phoebe swooping for an insect meal! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519778897580-8ARHKBZG4ZFJRL7EQ6YX/Richard_ChrisLlewellyn.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Crew member Richard gives some scale for just how big this snag is. Richard's arm span is about six feet! Courtesy of Chris Llewellyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519693253146-QBCOXYXF3B74DM1T7ICM/RaccoonHeronTracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Raccoon and Great blue heron share the shoreline of a slough. Can you guess who walked by first? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519780360179-G50XIDBCXN4RB9E9RK9D/image-asset.jpeg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Doe checks out our camera! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519780316918-W647OOINP499WIN1MAE9/07CoyoteBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Coyote out and about in the early morning. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519778698373-US4LXCG20AEMPNGCQDFC/09DoeSniffPostBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Note the doe at the scratching post, collecting some 411 on the bucks in the area. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519693098593-WYZVLEVQTPQJMCVLWGX1/Coyote2+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! 'I see you!' Coyote keeps an eye on us while remaining 'under cover' as we pass by. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519778608780-YUVNQUIE3FWFWPO4N5VQ/10FourDoesBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Four does who are regulars on this camera, passing by the scratching post. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519694066828-EUSWP4GSDY36KVD5WK3Z/CameraChecked.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Crew members Patrick and Rick walking to the next camera! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519835111655-Y08C1U8JPYWLCOFUJ2L0/13EmmaAndErinBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Crew members Erin and Emma, packing it up to head for the next camera – another day, another trail. Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519780344406-8V262B9NBR3KTPH4S8RA/image-asset.jpeg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! Bobcat. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519781658312-HR0L18I5PJSKZMB8ZAUW/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519780330079-CRT7T36NB0SRJMTM1FBE/06QuailBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Field Day in the Field! A covey of California quail! We don't see these on the cameras very often. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/2/20/coyote-calls-and-camera-talk monthly 0.5 2018-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519159739579-G7VTF9SPDCBMYGU3RTRN/03mountainlionCNW+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Images from a citizen science-monitored and baited wolverine camera trap. Courtesy of Conservation Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164413702-EXKZV3K2VSF969N3SCT5/08BobcatBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Bobcat leaving the road! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164437053-6WV2HE5FK014P3K0QON7/10turkeysBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Turkeys taking advantage of a photo op. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519148332911-THGTSKBB4CAG0RFWOCJ1/02+sunrise+and+oaks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Early morning sun peeking through oak trees at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519159722511-X5KL53B9QKGYDVM4CGF6/02mountainlionCNW+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Images from a citizen science-monitored and baited wolverine camera trap. Courtesy of Conservation Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519152603031-4KQIKEHK7ZHDR2TXPE1V/05+buck+track.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk The track with splayed hoof lobes and dewclaws showing on the left may be a running buck, perhaps pursuing the does who show up on this camera regularly. The two indirect register tracks on the right are likely made by a doe. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519148267655-IEHLKKZYK75VL0YEN2VC/01+geese+landing.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164026677-WY7NO6YF19HLLOB6ONLD/03CoyoteCallingBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk The camera-trapped coyote above who was vocalizing over a period of one or two minutes, left the camera range, exiting left. Within two minutes the individual came back through with another coyote, traveling in the opposite direction. These two coyotes are recognizable from their hairless tails, a symptom of mange. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519148647950-TGGI9KZXLOVL1BPJB2WF/03+Emma+with+clipboard.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Crew member Emma with the clipboard that holds the field data sheet, ready to record! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519159701347-9XPF050229MIAHIM9QLZ/01mountain+lionCNW+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Images from a citizen science-monitored and baited wolverine camera trap. Courtesy of Conservation Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519159761000-M6U5BY64SGVFTF7JJZAW/04mountainlionCNW+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Images from a citizen science-monitored and baited wolverine camera trap. Courtesy of Conservation Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519151267337-5RRMT4CR8JGU86RFY4RU/04+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Camera in the field. Note the stick angled at the back of the camera against the T-post. This is a common 'fix' we use to adjust camera angle and is often just enough when all that's needed is a nudge or a small shift to correct positioning. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519148598311-39U0CNIN67UCBE1FXS8D/03+Erin+at+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Crew member Erin, locking the camera back in place after changing the SD card and running through the camera operations check. We often will say outloud to other crew members, 'Camera on and armed.' as we replace the camera back in it's casing to be sure we've actually turned the camera back on after card changes! Courtesy of Emma Greene https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164425892-C5M1HNHZTPR8VXOL0YFX/09RaccoonBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Raccoon bustling along. It can be unusual to see them during the daytime but they're out sometimes. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519163941073-UQI1OHUJDFSQP2AC3AIQ/01CoyoteBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Coyote stepping along. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164400044-1CG66Z7TN52GOGIN12BR/07BarnowlBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Just the wing of a Barn owl! He or she may have pounced for a mouse hoping for a meal. This is the only image we have of the owl so we can't say what happened. A good reminder about the limited range of the trail cameras and all that might be going on behind the camera and just out of range! Perhaps a puma is padding by.... Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164050212-I766J5Z4YUO2UZJ3I8QG/04BuckDoesBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk This scenario caught on our cameras this week - a buck intent on two passing does - could well be similar to the scenario that left the tracks above! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519159778572-H6HW513M9CVFMY8ZY92D/05mountainlionCNW+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Images from a citizen science-monitored and baited wolverine camera trap. Courtesy of Conservation Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164388054-I3SNN82C5EW4YTK0E0MI/05DoesBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Doe sees the camera and tries to get a scent on it. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519164010474-1MZU1O6FIULMWIMZU0J7/02CoyoteCallingBLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Coyote calling. This is one of a series of about eight images where this coyote was clearly making a variety of vocalizations with different head elevations and mouth widths. We can only imagine what was being said and how the other individual was answering. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519166684745-GHD63OZSDRGK5UAKFUF8/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1519153153397-Q50Y4CCKYZKNEGS1KMI8/Duane+and+Jim.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote Calls and Camera Talk Crew members Duane and Jim checking SD cards and recording the data. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/2/13/hoping-for-rain-on-a-beautiful-day monthly 0.5 2018-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550493557-IAS67EQ52S4BSGAPS35O/08+Tracks+in+sandy+bank.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day We found deer, raccoon, coyote and otter tracks on the sandy banks of the river. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550227872-Y6CD6IE9QRA7TEKPPT12/05+Everyon%27es+got+a+job.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Crew members Diana, Broxton and Patrick checking operations. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518549952942-WCKVWA8V7MJUNKUQDEW6/01+Big+oak+little+oak.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Big oak, little oak in a field of green! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550157844-1TH75RLHBNSP64TQN7M8/04+Pond+colors.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day All the colors of a pond on the Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550560501-X4KKEWPWTMXZ9PFF8LT9/01+Bobcat+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Beautiful bobcat on the camera! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518557429034-UFKE73K4LG1PDJMM1V1P/02+Squirrel+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Based on all the rust on this individual's tail, probably an Eastern Fox Squirrel. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550032547-RQRYU7XJC8854BGD8R9R/03+crew+lionized.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Critters: Back row: Lion, crane, lion, kitten, lion, lion. Foreground, deer. Courtesy of Emma Greene https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550457006-AWLP23PZA59A7MVHQU2T/07+low+flow+animals+under.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day The daylight seen in the middle of the big log is where wildlife can now cross back and forth on the low flow as the river water recedes. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518549872001-CYWNQ9BLCAG60T0OEK35/01+coyote+front+BLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550529592-NJXODS64LHQ42GK89Y1R/09+Low+flow+Patrick.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Crew member Patrick stands next to the big log on the low flow for scale. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518557594386-VWJHUMYYAYRNPXBM9ZGC/02+Black+Phoebe.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Black Phoebe earning her rent on our camera perch. They eat a lot of insects! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550251471-OCOH00N9CJOLOL7H5Z3M/Borxtonn+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Young buck approaches camera. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518557459881-4QA4HHIO22EICQGP4ZVS/02+bobcat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Bobcat coming around the bend. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518558873960-3JBGEW6CNHNX8KK41M6X/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518557053430-L2H3VS60A58MYYQWC7NK/Nutria+-++Beaver.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Left: Nutria (Myocastor coypus) Courtesy of CDFW = Right: Beaver (Castor canadensis) Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518557441745-AE9864JJMEBF5WEB7759/01+3+bucks+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day A Three buck night! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518557610502-W7CU06DVCYA4WN14E416/03+does.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Three does. Great view of how large their ears are, indicating a heightened sense of hearing for being able to detect danger and changes in their surroundings. The doe on the left is clearly scanning something they're hearing off to the left. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550007442-0MK5IJDCWEINC5PAJQBB/02+Crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day Crew members Richard, Sarah, Erin, Patrick, Broxton, Diana and Kristin. Courtesy of Emma Greene https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518550292912-NEQEYZKFS0SHQT2Z4CWJ/06+Raccoon+stride.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Hoping for Rain on a Beautiful Day The walking gait of a raccoon. A front paw lands ahead and then the opposite hind paw lands just behind the front paw. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/2/7/through-the-foggy-foggy-dew monthly 0.5 2018-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518045429576-MEYG37CH8MZGBK1WRXJG/04+scratching+post.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... The scratching post has seen more antler rub action this past week. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518042954574-DWTMNQHEPRPIK7PQD9PL/01+cover+bobcat+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Bobcat walking. Notice how he or she blends in so well with the ground and leaf cover colorations in the area. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518046475146-8B19XGGL5XS80UPYU38I/05+hiker+and+oak.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Solitary hiker passes an old shelter oak. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518047827389-253K4OH18AX7QZRS8I8O/image-asset.jpeg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Coyote seemingly posing for the camera. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518047848652-3D3OVVBTHNZ5JQ6DU081/09+Black+Phoebe+triptych.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Black Phoebe doing a hunt swoop and returning to her perch - our camera! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518040863204-NZB21N2WJO6XZNMDIOZ9/01+Richard+car+fog.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... A crew member's car parked at the Preserve in the soupy fog with the moon peekin' through! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518047815964-TV19B9D8ATT5LSUP070E/07+beaver.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Beaver on nocturnal walk about. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518046513689-FJBVFS4WAYOT1PNP9LQ2/04+no+dogs.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Leave pets at home and enjoy the solitude on the Preserve. You may even see a river otter or a deer on your hike! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518041199535-WGMYX4K2JIGX5DDAK49V/Mary+and+her+car+Maria++Culhane.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Crew member Mary standing next to her car and a wise, old oak tree in the brightening blanket of fog. Courtesy of Maria Culhane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518041727104-A72U3QC2LDIAME1GU683/Rick+-+Richard+Larson.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Crew member Rick examining some tracks at the river's edge...in the fog! Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518044550186-NJFCDPOC0ROV2LN95K74/05+dinosuar+land+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Watch for dinosaurs! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518040763998-5PY5L4TWG5WHRY7D1OH4/01+cover+bobcat+BLM+copy+2.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518047787771-JDS5FW1LHTWIBF56RQ0H/05+bobcat+back.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Bobcat waking away from the camera with white ear markings clearly visible. This may have evolved as a defense so predators would be put off by the striking coloration seemingly peering at them. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518045092180-IN6AWGZVHQCXA49XZ414/04+does+at+scratching+post.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Three does cautiously enter the roadway from the game trails behind the scratching post. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518041524146-ZLUQ5N5AHJ6WR3RI9MG4/log+on+low+flow-Richard+Larson.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... The old log snag on the low flow dam. As the water recedes, we may be able to get across the expanse if we continue to get no rain. We;'ll have to navigate the log as it's expanse covers virtually the breadth of the low flow concrete. Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518047802205-NNJWKM62MUSWNERIDR4H/06+squirrel+posing.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Squirrel eyeing the camera. The squirrels and other prey animals have done well this past season and this individual looks well fed. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518042372651-L07TVAFIWX9DR41FVP4V/07+emma+at+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Crew member Emma changing SD cards and checking camera operations. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518042608472-03TT4AUA9GWSS3X2Q8U1/03+deer+listening.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... These deer are paying close attention to activity they hear coming from behind them. The pre-dawn time indicated by the camera's data strip indicates a possibility could be these deer are listening to coyotes calling. Coyotes often sing and vocalize in the pre-dawn hours, shortly before sunrise. If that's the case here, these deer would likely be uncomfortable and wary to hear a pack family vocalizing nearby. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518049068588-IRQ2KYP7VL03HLLGTSXH/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518045110747-8O2VQNO4Y8J5P1NA16ED/02+raccoon+at+scratching+post.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... A raccoon emerges from the game trails behind the scratching post onto the roadway. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518046492065-22CUA74H3CN59AJKARNO/02+Bee+butt.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Bee butt and willow buds! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518045554354-FA2YIUTLNBUG3OHAHE2O/16+deer+highway.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Deer highway! Looks like mostly doe tracks. Their hooves generally imprint more lightly than a heavier buck with antlers and developed body build. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518045496703-7RG6VFPZ08Z8GKDWFY62/08+buck+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Big buck on the right with widely splayed hoof. Perhaps a smaller buck on the left, there is a young spike buck seen on the trail camera in this area. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1518046532883-YIB9J1GWF04HH2PQXLKL/03+benches.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Through the Foggy Foggy Dew.... Pack a lunch and feast among the tall oaks out along the riverwalk trail. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/1/29/just-trackin-along monthly 0.5 2018-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517255699172-XSIMZHKKSGWDK44JA245/Track+7.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Canine track. You can see the thick, blunt toenail marks and if you squint you can pick out the 'X' shape running between the two front toes and the heel pad. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517250645908-2QOVM8DMTV6FFD3NO13D/Bobcat+track+with+nail+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517261366734-5L2RGC34LG96LWIINFP1/camera+mounts.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Camera mounted on a T-post on the left and camera directly mounted onto a tree on the right. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517256117512-ZS9WOE3OTZQ1PYJBBW7B/Scratch+post+camera+move.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Diana and Broxton cheer on Matthew, our newest addition on the camera crew as he works to loosen a bolt so we can lower this camera that covers the 'scratching post.' Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517260080390-SV0WU25MO63ZKK28IU6W/The+crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! This week's crew looking for lions on the SD cards we just collected. From left to right: Elizabeth, Richard, Matthew, Patrick, Erin, Diana, Broxton. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517252675893-MF5H2IE7YTT5516SZVOF/Icy+morn+at+VC.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! The Visitor Center in early morning with frost on the board of the walkway and the roof. Be careful on these frosty mornings! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517253322908-AT1EAP5292Y02ZSRQX23/Bobcat+track+with+nail.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Bobcat track. About 2 1/2 inches long. The heel pad displays the two-lobe, three-lobe pattern and there are faint nail depressions from some of the toes. This bobcat was heading up a wet, sandy incline from the river. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517259509290-PZ5JKHOFOZU4Y5WZBMV5/Broxton+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Hmmmm, interesting, yes I see....I think I've got it but transport without detection may be difficult. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517259293479-5HAGJO0ALJTJH02QXTF8/Broxton+3.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Got it! A nice black Sharpie! Now for the getaway. O nooo, I see Mom coming to confiscate my prize. Foiled! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517260312099-7TKK76H96VM4KVFJK97J/Rick+photo.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Crew member Rick Hicks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266440111-CS67NQA8YT2APCPOWVE4/12+Beaver.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Beavers are generally nocturnal but can occasionally be seen during the day. They usually retire to a lodge or bank den during the daylight hours. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517259257594-VTM80K3TJIEXVHZFOBTW/Broxton+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Hi, my name's Broxton and I'm just checking out the Go pack supplies. Nothing to see here. Carry on! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517256866769-Y38LP6W2G37RTKT4HCZI/01+scratcg+post+walk+test+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Diana and Broxton checking out the range of the new camera position. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266257434-AQJWAF5QI9N8IZQV34E5/01+Bobcat+comparison.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! A huge part of being able to estimate bobcat populations on the Preserve is being able to recognize the individuals who walk by the cameras. These two cameras are about a mile apart on the same road and each camera caught a bobcat. Looking closely at the foreleg and back leg patterns that we can see, and body size and shape would you say this is the same individual or not? Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266413637-XS6ZJGASER5QDTVKPGVQ/09+coyote.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Coyote. Notice how her coat blends in so well with the natural colors around her. Legs are lighter while body pelage matches the leaves and grey winter colors on the landscape. Coyote coat colors and markings vary, every coyote is different! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517252784054-5X03H0XBIJIYMVI0MPLM/Snag+on+low+flow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! The low flow dam at the Cosumnes River with a huge deadfall trunk straddling the concrete width. It will stay there until rising water carries it farther downstream. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517257116488-NKGHV3I9N9YCGXJ9MCAZ/Crew+talking.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Matthew and Diana pause to discuss the fine art of trail camera monitoring! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266398829-E4ZOVXZT0P3BULARWLFK/06+buck+standoff.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Two bucks squaring off. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517252614273-CSQFLYOSW1NXZD1NYMCA/Foggy+road.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! The view coming down the road towards the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517252836409-I8LG9BAKL6EP5UI5N1JE/Track+potpourri.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Track potpourri! Bobcat, canine and Great blue heron are all in this mix. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266456374-MLV41UYGC37A5NIZOE72/05+Doe+sniffing.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Doe checking out the scents. She may have seen the camera and is trying to get a read on what that strange thing is or she may have caught an animal scent wafting up the road on the air currents. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517253087715-D9X00ILJSC4PUHCG08C1/Canine-Feline+track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! A great graphic on distinguishing the difference between canine and feline tracks on the trail. Courtesy of Michigan State Department of Natural Resources https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266427346-DGRRPBOBIHWFEKSBB4J8/10+squirrel.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! Squirrel and his or her shadow in the sun after a rain! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1517266483536-4YQFZCKEH7UDGTJRMGND/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Just Trackin' Along! https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/1/24/carrying-on-for-lions monthly 0.5 2018-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516821190253-HDU5IEJ7PC9HVL66LPG8/01+Heron+1+CW+BLM+front+copy2.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516821295637-SQUKJVR6O2YXL7YU1GT5/01+Lion+crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Crew members Elizabeth, Erin, Richard, Diana and Jim loading up the gear at the Barn on a chilly, wet morning. Duane was still driving to get here but the other crew members joined us in spirit! Alex Cabrera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516823552631-SB0UR1PN1N67RHR4AEWF/06+beaver+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways A beaver's impressive monument to a fallen tree! Note all the teeth marks and grooves in the stump. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516911751008-HBAZXCJO9PX28T2IMWUI/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516823036615-C2JCTQDJI5BBBOVX0VF7/05+scratch+pole.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Richard, Diana and Duane at the scratch pole. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516829848866-F6CRD36BEOOHI5M8EIPE/07+doe+group+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Group of does. Note how they all have their large ears poised in different directions so the group is getting audio input from every direction. They're also gathered in pretty close together for safety. The blurry deer on the right is just running up to the group and may be what startled them, but we don't know. They could be listening to coyotes calling or for a mountain lion! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516822265455-RLDNPECB5XA2W4928RPU/03+check+at+RR.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Diana, Duane and Richard at the next camera - still raining!. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516823571556-MRDR6J07X2W5PCXKZOT2/06+beaver+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways The complete handiwork of a beaver. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516829876127-Y4ZVKHJ2J85AQIWXHQGG/09+doe+buck+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Doe and lop-sided antlered buck. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516823692172-NJOWZOB5G2DUU63VFE52/07+beaver+log.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Richard and Duane at the camera and the beaver log just behind the camera! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516823717847-Q83ACE1F4YPRBZ4289TT/07+beaver+lot+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways A closeup of the beaver log located just feet from the trail camera, but behind it, so the beaver did his or her work out of camera range. This illustrates how any animal, including a mountain lion, could walk behind the camera instead of in front of it and we'd never see them. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516823060643-F54MP2P738ISYL0YLBYH/05+scratch+pole+close+up.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways The high scratches we're watching to see if there's a repeat visitor weren't touched this week. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516829891096-TL20PTW2DH1REAHZ5B7S/10+coyote+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Coyote looking up the road, probably watching other pack family members. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516822438284-TYLQFYEZRZVOIF4C6YP1/05+Kristin+and+Erin+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Kristin and Erin walking away from a trail camera - the pink coloration may be caused by how the camera is seated in the casing and undue pressure on the camera's innards. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516824312367-QB8WUDQE55H3U509KOKK/Patrick+MacGillivray.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Crew member Patrick McGillivray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516824620092-SIM20M735KOWGIE6LA25/Mystery+photo+-+fox+and+owl.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Mystery Photo: Can you imagine the scenario that took place here? Who was involved? What were the behaviors? After you've taken your best guess, watch the video at the link below to find out! Hint: More than one animal was involved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516829861507-4SREBWZDNFOCT00OO2W7/08+beaver+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Beaver. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516829907018-255HTAH7TSWM77VZNUR3/11+doe+and+youngling+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Doe and youngster from earlier 2017. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516822211935-TKJSPDVHO4I1KYSZG6N6/02+card+handoff+at+EP.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Diana and Duane exchange cards and Richard at the camera. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516822324608-VYKK9PHL3L0AE1A7WDJ9/04+Camera+on+tree.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways A good way to keep the camera off the ground while we're examining the area for animal signs. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516821377639-S91LLO63I30ZT9R0CMA4/01+LION+crew%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Lion Power ACTIVATED!!! Alex Cabrera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516822423713-EL1IANFPHXDSSDKJ09HS/04+Rick+BLM+.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Drizzly Days, Wildlife Ways Rick caught on our trail camera walking up the road and looking up! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/1/16/it-was-a-dark-and-foggy-morning monthly 0.5 2018-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516138774417-O7YAU6ZMP1KM2XTSBAE5/01+-+log+on+low+flow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Water-logged deadfall resting directly on the low flow dam across the Cosumnes River. Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516135034861-R720LINRAO4945RRS8LR/01+oak+forest+road+front+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516141649862-CY05U6WUOJ6WBOZJV4DY/02+Barn+Owl+flying_Max+Pixel-FreeGreatPicture.com.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... A stock photo of a barn owl that gives an idea of their wingspan. There's no way this owl could have flown out the little doorway on the right side of the garage door above. FreeGreatPicture.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516138430413-FN7T23HHHEED1NCX779B/03+Beaver+dam+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Head on shot of the beaver dam. That's a lot of work in just under 4 days! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516139635235-H1GAMYN90LK5DFI6DVO8/04+bobcat+scratch.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... We think this is bobcat scratch! While we saw no scat or detected urine, bobcats leave indiscernible scent with their scratches that gives information to other bobcats. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145325783-SC8LLMR4SV7B0TWWR2U7/07+Coyote+CW+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Coyote listening.... Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516135740357-NU34D9ZHZ7SM9QFJVL7Q/02+the+crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Crew members Patrick, Kristin and Rick changing SD cards and checking camera operations. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145292330-6ELTYK7QFD9SZ98L9810/04+Wet+does+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Wet does - note their wet coats. Likely they had to swim part of their regular route because of the recent flooding. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145340550-PQOJ86LAWUEX3J9AMW5G/05+Six+Deer+CW+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Group of does. Notice how they're all standing at different angles, attentive to different directions. This is a defensive action where they take in all the information about their surroundings. A mountain lion would choose to ambush what they perceived to be the most vulnerable individual and the rest would scatter to safety. It's still a dangerous bet for a mountain lion when they choose an individual from a healthy-looking herd like this. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516144025471-TMZJZ42VFZUWVWM8T08N/10+Mystery+doe+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Mystery Photo 1: Long, tawny back bone. Whoever it is, they look well fed. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516143878115-GX9F0RXGUZYDUFG9OJRG/08+Deer+receding+flood+CW+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... About 24 hours later, the same location is drying out with the water receding back into the the ponds. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516136229460-H8REREQTXWO8AJNLFEIR/02+Tower+flood+5+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Water even higher! And Beaver's still afoot. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516141533108-QXWA48CKLC8UFWKFJ7JK/06+barn+owl+tail%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... The garage door was still being raised, the barn owl flew out, and in the yellow square to the middle left you can just see the barn owl's tail, hightailing it away from that machine garage! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516140336131-3IQMNGOAW43JWGZ0IRUI/05+pole+3.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... The fresh wood peels on the ground at the foot of the pole. Most of these could be from the buck rubs that occur at about 2 to 4 feet high on the pole. There was fresh buck rub activity as well as the much higher and unusual scratch activity. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516136202370-JJWO1Q2MFFPNQYTYMGP6/02+Tower+flood+3+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... A raccoon family spent some time wading back and forth in the flooded road area! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516140229896-SIMPM19OACZCUIZY9CQS/05+pole+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... This fresh scratch activity is about 6 feet high. You can see the wood peels pulled downward, as though a cat was using a scratching post. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516144054014-ZI4SVPH5Y6113BEW96LC/12+Mystery+buch+TP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Mystery Photo 3: Hmmmm, another easy one but it might call for a double-take until you notice all the details! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145365311-PHYVY7FCTDTTKOD9BS8I/09+GBH+front.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Great blue heron hunting on the water surge of a remote Preserve roadway. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516138447885-SF1HEE4JMO43HEN5L0ZL/03+Beaver+dam+3.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... The beaver dam is holding water in the north slough, making the road passable so we were able to reach our camera. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145277467-AXNCXCV5ENW6204DUNJZ/03+Otter+TW+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... River otter runnin'! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516139168817-NU46NS9VYL6LCM9FDXS2/02+Richard.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Crew member Richard in the field! Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145415347-NLKEJZZRVGNALSQ5MKCM/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516144305705-P5JUPTX3WKE7Z10SYPXE/10+Mystery+doe+2+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Mystery Photo 1 Answer: It's a doe, it's a deer! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516136245154-LWC26HIU9FUSLV1GAHGF/02+Tower+flood+6+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... This Great Blue Heron looks kind of pleased with his or her new wading pool! And our camera is officially inaccessible. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516144041299-90LJGGZDZXUD7QQWGXWU/11+Mystery+Bck+3+TP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Mystery Photo 2: This one might be easy. Look for clues at the tail end on the left. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516144340201-71BN9DH3FHNTHFC5GRMU/12+Mystery+buch+TP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Mystery Photo 3 Answer: A young spike buck but the angle of the photo is very interesting until you notice his spike! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516138411231-7C4HNZDRVH9DBO3AILBK/03+Beaver+dam+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Typical beaver chew markings. You can see the tooth grooves on the right side of the fresh cut. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516143861506-QDYZZBOXUXA7NCJJS1XK/08+Deer+flooded+road+CW+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Flooded up near one of our cameras and deer are wading through several inches of water. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516143175059-T8B6O1QQVDNVJTLUYYE6/Elizabeth+Claramo.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Crew member Elizabeth Claramo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516136166680-CVJYULHR716M0DBLLZ4L/02+Tower+flood+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... A Striped skunk walking along the road we usually take to get to this camera. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516136217075-I5IUMIC0WC729DJ6DLXW/02+Tower+flood+4+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... The water's really up now and the beaver's out, coming to inspect the newly wet situation! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516145310833-38R2TWYJ592RBQJPAT6J/06+Bobcat+in+the+rain+TP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Bobcat out in the rain - looks like a young one. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516141296585-NLSD7IYUD247L1B5CQD5/01+Barn+Owl+on+the+ground_pexels-Freephoto-575038.jpeg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... A stock photo of a barn owl. The background wall is similar to the machine building where we saw our barn owl flying. Pexels Freephoto https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516139147091-CZHRWZNQHKSWDGASFNOQ/02+Elizabeht+and+Chris.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Crew members Chris and Elizabeth take a look at the rising river! Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516136184325-UBU5ZAH5J5EB9BJPRIT6/02+Tower+flood+2+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... The skunk's back! And the water's up! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516140549823-EOYNW8RFQSOQ254IM81H/05+pole+1+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Crew member Kristin held her hand just to the left of what looks like four claw-like imprints, as though a large cat was grasping the pole. If that's so, this would be the mark of a mountain lion. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1516144322633-OJ9L2Y2YKGC0D9QJ9OKU/11+Mystery+Bck+2+TP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It Was a Dark and Foggy Morning... Mystery Photo 2 Answer: A passing buck gives himself a mega-selfie! In Mystery Photo 2 up above, you can see that his tail end has a bit of white and seems to end abruptly. It doesn't look like there's a long cat tail attached. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/1/10/renewing-our-commitment-to-lions monthly 0.5 2018-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515782926178-22R2QLYZGW78S95DL3LE/Bald+eagle+1+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! There's at least one local bald eagle on the Preserve who regularly patrols the ponds, stirring up the water fowl there as you might imagine! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515780690057-39BFYR9DUXLRIK5AOHLB/Coyote+4+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! A coyote walks along the edge of a pond. We watched her watching us as she continued to hunt and focus on possible breakfast. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515783337985-4DQTGM3CZY7CI7B8AHHU/Scratch+pole+and+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! A look at how the camera is oriented in relation to the telephone pole. The oak tree we used was the best available set in the area short of sinking a T-post to mount the camera. We had to trim a bit of brush and branches with the lopper and a hand saw for a clear view for the camera. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515631112085-96IFKBQY9SQFQES084BK/01+Coyote+front+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515779986875-DSSFD970875VKO4012NI/Patrick+at+Twin+pumps.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Crew member Patrick standing in the road between two sloughs. We walk down this road to reach one of our cameras but not today! There was a current running across the road this morning. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515780166850-TSIBQ6RRWN0UDFFL7JHD/Tower+camera+flooded+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Crew member Erin standing at the edge of the flooded area across from another camera we didn't get to today. Where the line of white water is on the left, there's a levee dam with a culvert for the water to pass through but the rainfall from the recent storm clearly overrode that. The camera's in the red box above and there was just too much water moving through to attempt retrieval today. Maybe next week when the water's gone down a bit. We'll still need rubber boots, through! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515632455400-BITUWBU4SRC0HG1FV4QT/River+rising.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Cosumnes River rising in the rain. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634463553-XQE6JPS0DAOOSKMAMSRV/Does+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Two does. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515632566449-YBJB611UMQP9V6J41A6V/Wet+crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Crew members Richard, Duane and Jim. We're walking to the cameras today...it's raining! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515783230144-WO62PG5350WBP73VL8TE/Scratch+pole.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Here's the view our camera gets. Good shot of the pole and some of the roadway as well. We'll adjust the set as necessary but we've got eyes on that pole now! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634444027-RVLXANU1AYU1H9AAJNO9/Cottontail+and+baby.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Cottontail rabbit and youngster. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515780749150-SINEGD4XANINDYI0LDRG/Coyote+1+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Coyote watching us! Note all the good fur around her ears to protect them from wind, rain and cold in the winter. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515783205936-Q4D8BI3Y2BGF207ZJKA1/New+camera+on+scratch+pole.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Photo of our camera set today on a young oak tree across from the telephone pole. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515783487461-65B2Y0ECTP86QZKKMUKQ/Patrick+at+fresh+scratch+for+scale+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Crew member Patrick standing for scale next to the pole that's been getting fresh scratch and rub. The red box shows where the fresh marks are that could possible be scratch. There are long shreds of wood pulled downward, as a cat would do when scratching. We'll see! The rub marks from the ground to Patrick's waist are likely buck rub from antlers. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515782370337-V4VNJN82X70OP005UVVJ/wolf-coyote+profile+comparison.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Telling the difference between a wolf and a coyote is pretty straightforward if you train yourself what to look for. Generally, coyotes are smaller although size isn't the only, or the surefire, way to ID when you're looking at a wild canine in the field. Look at the size of the ears and the length and width of the muzzle. You can see here that the coyote's muzzle is longer and thinner, the wolf's shorter and stouter. The coyote's ears are quite large, noticeably so. Coyotes have acute hearing for being able to detect rodents and other small animals in snow and in underground nests. Wolves have smaller ears set a bit farther back on their head. See? Easy peasy! Wolf. Courtesy of Robert Harding Images, Coyote. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634407006-HCI1B7EM8T1BLBQMRMXT/Doe+and+rabbit+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Doe and rabbit. Rabbit is in the red box. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634426970-H43SB1H13EN5FWMOUTIW/Raccoon+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Raccoon on hind legs, maybe grabbing a wafting scent. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634337768-6JAQSOTE096288NU4US5/Bobcat+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Bobcat in the daytime. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634517935-F0IZG5O2GUU8MIIVREMM/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515634388441-OO9P3XAY9CTZ10WNVOU9/Coyote+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Coyote...looking up! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515632308233-UJW4XKHKXA1RSW2U1YL1/Jim.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Jim at the head of pack, walking...in the rain! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515633038959-C63S6N5ATTC13Y7YDA9V/Lion+CDFW+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Preserve Wild! Mountain lion. Photo Courtesy of CDFW https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2018/1/3/its-a-new-year-looking-for-lions monthly 0.5 2018-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008274388-2OHBK7TUYBRDUVY50EPG/Bobcat+2015-07-07+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Bobcat. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515006266653-XZEFWGNRO9QO4MTE5DQO/Hawk+2.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Juvenile Red-tailed hawk. Photo Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008433486-L2DFM9UVJ9JJYTOEL13U/Deer-skunk+2016-08-07+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Skunk giving stinky what-for to a doe. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515009066291-JJ46Q5THWV4QMYC4QUBP/03+Buck+up+close+Mark%27s+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515007621882-I9ZLDW2HTSCMNFMX13SU/coyote+scat+just+ate.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Fresh coyote scat. The dark color and lack of hair or fur indicates this animal likely fed on a fresh kill recently. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008305696-FDLYNGCOEZJXWF4TK9GZ/Buck+in+velvet+2017-06-15+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Buck in full velvet. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515005518890-RGE47PYJD4NRKX91COAX/pond+and+mist.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! A pond on the Preserve in the early morning. There's a fine layer of ground mist in the background, just below the treeline. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515006141803-FK22801T6SC8AZ13V6HX/Low+flow+-+rick+and+jim.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Crew members Rick and Jim take a look at the outflow side of the low flow dam on the Cosumnes River. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515006962491-EM06C1XGNBQ8G7X1DKJU/Jim+photo+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Crew member Jim Grimes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008370443-2SDY8SWKLA0E8TM75XSS/Otters+2016-08-04+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! North American river otter family. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008401182-WK6I7TJB69P5CC1DUXGA/Bobcat+2015-09-16+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Bobcat eyeing the camera. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515006472948-FN16POA267PGTFWLN30S/Pole+scratches.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Fresh markings on a telephone pole out near one of our cameras. This may be antler rubbing by bucks who are marking territory and working with their large antlers before shedding. There are also scratches on these poles that look as though they could have been made by bobcats. We'll set up a camera and see what we get! Photo Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515005491208-KEKP289IXVYDK2UYSHSB/mist+layer.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Early morning ground mist! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515005929178-XFSTJ5BCL7SCMUQ6GCFO/Puma+5-CC0+Creative+Commons+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Mountain lion. Creative Commons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008336198-0P7AWK456XGCSQ4OHCKF/coyote+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Coyote. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515006053721-SIKDPR8Z0QJNM5I6W0KE/Rick+and+Jim+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Crew members Rick and Jim changing out the SD cards in a trail camera. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515007642846-RQDM99AGHGTJ1P1X9W8Q/coyote+scat+older+carcass.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! Dry, twisty and lots of hair. This coyote was likely smaller to medium size and has been scavenging off the remains of an older carcass. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1515008562716-FEQSTRS15MJELO7YHRGK/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - It's a New Year Looking for Lions! https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/12/28/last-look-for-lions-in-2017 monthly 0.5 2017-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514495816945-7VQSTSOFLRAIO01IXCTK/Fox+gait.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 This looks like it could be the loping gait of a fox. The animal was moving along the edge of a ditch with the highway just to the right, out of the picture. The fox eventually veered to the right and the tracks disappeared, looking as though this individual probably crossed the highway there.. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497667476-4K1KM1ZLVL3K4ILIV42M/Cat+crop+2.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Mountain lion-like walk... Photo Courtesy of Winchell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514494802315-YB7O6P0IYAYNNBA8URH0/Canada+geese.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497974969-SPG7EGHPQVA27Q6QJ46F/Coyote+at+night+BLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Coyote! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514498604456-IXD2FFPTRKCUCPRL0YXS/Drew+and+Richard+at+Horseshoe.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Crew members Drew and Richard just finishing up a camera installation. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514495891949-7IYSUK8XKD6NLE1VMC3J/Fox+tracks+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Fox tracks in the snow. Note the prominent top two toenails, and the telltale chevron shape at the bottom of the tracks. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497892341-KB1FS9W8LNC1XA1ZOMBS/Cat+1+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 When seen in proportion with the whole image, this is clearly a large domestic cat walking on a road. Photo Courtesy of Winchell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497649145-2GO53TDMUA4N8GYXBWJA/Cat+crop+1.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Long tail... Photo Courtesy of Winchell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514498006265-V70OXGXMACD3TI0J1FJB/Skunks.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Two skunks, maybe a mom and kit. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514495532702-ODU4YVE0W9VRFL47JBON/Snow+on+the+island.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Snow on Christmas morning. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514496863275-DO2BSEGRU33ZG34MI8W7/Christina+meet+the+crew.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Crew member Christina Brunsvold https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514495634131-GUK5RVGZ3OX7105VK3P4/01+Red+fox.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Red fox on the trail camera before the snow! Photo Courtesy of Winchell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514498543013-8W2R0RBY50CQTZP61RR5/Rick+and+Broxton.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Crew members Rick and Broxton confer on lion camera matters. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497961377-JF03S6OMEQSPA9S8EEBU/Bobcat.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Bobcat. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497989574-G6YO1TSL3FT1R29A5X1S/Deer+1+BLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Buck coming in to view. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514499150673-80M9IM8IZRR5P1AJEYD8/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514496387775-3M52F8L8BES521XLIO2H/Fox+scat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Fox scat, note the small bones in the segment on the right. Likely from a small rodent or bird. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514495879654-3PFL5C10DRPEHD42CDO7/Coyote-deer+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Deer tracks on the left and coyote tracks on the right. Note the toenail drag between the coyote tracks. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514496007481-653KG7S9V2TAOBR7V2UD/Pileated+woodpecker.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Pileated woodpecker hunting for insects under the bark of a fir tree. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1514497913738-VPX1L9R2VCQW7JI6C9ZH/Cat+2+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Last Look for Lions in 2017 Large domestic cat walking down the road! Photo Courtesy of Winchell https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/12/18/where-deer-abound-good-news-for-lions monthly 0.5 2017-12-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513632708722-KOPF1K8B8KENV2TQ4I25/Richard+and+Christina+BLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Crew members Richard and Christina, some of the human activity caught on our camera on the levee road! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513630889965-A1ATR1XMPPRE94QR0EIS/04+edge+zone+and+home+range.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Example of an edge zone on the left. An area where lions have cover but also room to run. Example of home range on the right. Remote with lots of cover and possible den locations, a slough nearby and deer and other prey animals frequent the area. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513635519660-RKZ8COB882URW52DS14E/Erin+photo.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Crew member Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513637144678-9FSRWSIU6EZWVQQG3RKP/01+-04+two+bucks+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Two bucks perusing the hierarchy. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513637758610-W9VLGJGCABV6Z0C11Y99/01+-03+fox+coyote+compare.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! When compared to a coyote, on the right, there are some pretty significant differences in these two animals. We think the animal on the left is a red fox! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513627858244-WTEV3LHWOFW2P6B9Z19A/01+Doe+2+front.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513630266988-AR3UBEYO4DO9KTFR246C/Deer+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! It's easy to see the road is hard-packed but damp and many deer are passing here, traveling both ways. Much of the deer travel here shows travel from the left to the right. Can you find deer tracks showing the deer are traveling from the right to the left? There are some human tracks mixed in here, too. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513631530670-SMWC1P7TIUPWEEJ4V73M/Broxton-baby+biologist.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Biologist-in-training, Broxton, helping to keep the equipment in order for the lion cameras. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513630436467-5Q3HBJ4WOF2UEFMB4CCJ/Buck+scrape.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! It looks like this scrape could have been made by a pretty good-sized buck, pawing at the damp road to leave scent and a visual que. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513630153557-FEWDNBYFC1BCACG7DPGU/Telephone+pole+scratches.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Buck scrape and likely some bobcat scratching, too on this telephone pole near the Tall oak forest. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513637263430-76ZNELOADX5PNVGKN5HE/01+-05+Red+fox%3F+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! We think this may be the first red fox to be captured by our cameras! This individual appears smaller than a coyote and while the image is blurry because he or she is running, the dark feet and large, bushy tail are clues. See the next images, too. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513637883407-41X4HLA9PRZVJWFGW4WS/10+buck+and+raccoon+2+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! A raccoon and a buck sharing the same space in front of the camera. The raccoon appears to be noticing a smell or something to eat. The photos below show likely the same individuals having an encounter about eight minutes earlier when they were eyeballing each other, perhaps with curiousity. A deer could injure a raccoon with its stabbing hooves, but raccoons are ferocious and have formidable canine teeth. In this image, they're already aware of each other and each goes about their business. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513629820492-PKYN1011PA3TN9O1V9GE/Greater+white-fronted+goose.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Greater White-fronted goose foraging. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513630624589-BANE5E6XSME8LCXP48XZ/Rick+at+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Crew member Rick, doing some camera wrangling! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513638196519-1W8YMNP1IAHAJJBD56SN/09+squirrel+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Squirrel! He's got a bit of something in his mouth as he bounds across the roadway. Squirrels are super active this time of year, collecting resources and fattening up for the impending colder weather. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513632304886-W9LYTQWVK5W3ZLZ6669V/coyote+raccoon+tracks.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Coyote track in the center of the image. Who do you think made the track just underneath that one? Photo Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513637797642-9XU8O40S7XXA8F3HX21T/01+-04+otters+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! A family of North American river otters doing some night traveling. Note the one on the left has seen the camera's infrared flashing! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513628239416-DSGTHVC1KKVR7953W9WV/CRP+Sunrise.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! A dry dawn at the Preserve as we head out for camera checks. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513631840555-WXFIE0UAP4GGAMWHW0OQ/Low+flow+dam.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! At the low flow dam on the Cosumnes River. The water level is not increasing because there's been no rain for the last few weeks, either in the Valley or up in the Sierra that would cause an elevation in flow level. Photo Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513637190177-JQLGDLIGED93ZK6Q2163/01+-06+bobcat.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! Bobcat at a standstill on a chilly morning. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513638145443-KEZJ2NRN8WQSJ2O56FE0/01+-10+raccoon+and+buck.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Where Deer Abound, It's Good News for Lions! At 5:16pm, this buck and raccoon come into the same space and eyeball each other, probably curious and not looking for confrontation. At 5:24pm it appears that possibly the same buck passes back through while the raccoon ignores him and goes on about his business. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/12/13/frosty-tracks-and-cold-cameras monthly 0.5 2017-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513197217324-I7A0YLY36EZAMUTQOT0O/04+Bobcat+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Bobcat. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513197363205-OG70IMHFZIBCSVCHMBW9/07+Coyote+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Coyote on the move. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513192334766-TEP8094VWD59SP9H6OCF/Richard+lion+walk+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Crew member Richard doing the 'lion walk' on a camera check last month! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513364660020-EFGGLQ6E25KKA6D1O26Y/Drew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Crew member Drew checks one of our cameras along the Outer route. This camera monitors an unpaved road that is used by a number of entities including local agricultural operators, utility services, The Nature Conservancy, the BLM and CDFW and of course, wildlife. This camera regularly captures deer, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, squirrels and the occasional opossum! Several mountain lion sightings have occurred along this road. Maybe no surprise, as it runs next to the dense riparian corridor of the Cosumnes River and heads out towards some remote old oak forest terrain so there’s good cover nearby. We currently have three cameras total deployed along this road. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513195893692-YK797M7JDHA7WBXG4Z2Y/Bobcat2+Marks+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Mystery Photo 3: What's going on in this picture? Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513192622857-WWTRCWIZXQE4R71WECA1/Sunrise+2.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Early morning misty glow. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513195746820-R7ONG0JUYWGR8JA7HFUZ/Deer1+Twin+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Mystery Photo 1: Looks like an ear. What else do you see? Photo Courtesy of Bureaus of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513188918973-BNS9QAY4HZULQCZN2R21/morning+at+the+low+flow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Morning at the low flow dam on the Cosumnes River. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513195238263-7O5Y7DPV86XF5QE3YC11/Diana+and+Broxton+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Crew members Diana and Broxton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513198337398-TRSYHVDLP9I7XC4KHI89/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513190159960-QNV50CI7E716KBQO28A1/05+Otter+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Otter action on the bank of the Cosumnes River! You can see both front and hind tracks here. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513190286336-0E68C5WVL4I8T5BXBQPS/05+black+phoebe+BLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Great image of a hunting Black Phoebe returning to a camera perch from earlier this year. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513195792303-869E3J6RECKF3IE4QDJQ/Whoa+Buck1+EP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Mystery Photo 2: This is a dark shot. What's clear is what appears to be a long, light-colored back. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513190209870-TAXZ20CHJNO5QAVYLFJA/06+camera+in+the+morning+light.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! One of our cameras in the frosty early morning glow. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513189002628-L1U3V2XH0CWH978QCBWQ/Frosty+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Frosty tracks! We identified coyote, domestic dog, deer, raccoon, otter and human. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513196118838-UXYFY30EEGXUPEK4FR4E/Bobcat3+Marks+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Photo 3: Bobcat! Look for the tell-tale white ear marks on the backs of the ears, visible in Mystery Photo 3 above. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513196060533-X6RG3D28X0B0MFGQZD04/Whoa+Buck2+EP+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Photo 2: Whoa, buck! That's a big boy. Did you notice the large ear barely visible on the left side of Mystery Photo 2? Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513188202734-UQF93RCYD6SV7EIW5SEP/Bobcat+walking+Tower+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513189096558-NZY1K8PD1SUE8KYUFWNE/Scatsicle%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! A coyote scatsicle! Twisty, hairy and frosty. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513197239350-QK8363TF296MO7VFH2J1/05Doe+at+Cougar+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Doe at camera. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1513196035320-UL9V477YOG4AGNHWMKOE/Deer2+Twin+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Frosty Fingers, Frosty Tracks! Photo 1: It's a doe! See the others in the background? Something to consider is that, as we've seen in previous photos, sometimes more than one species will be captured in an image depending on who's traveling where, and when. So an unidentified ear could also be a raccoon or other smaller mammal or the shape could even be from one of those Black Phoebes flying up to the camera. But you can bet it wouldn't be a mountain lion with other deer standing curiously in the background! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/12/4/supermoon-sunday monthly 0.5 2017-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512441887150-8VABOO63O0IW1K1D8BXW/Skunk+hole+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday A deep dig likely made by a skunk. Coyotes will dig also, for voles, mice, gophers and other insects and animals detected just below the surface. You can see a skunk track in the red box above. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512499941636-8G57TZNCPG97671PS76V/05+Coyote+Denier+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Coyote noticing the camera firing in the daytime. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512499911777-43WYB24KIQL23TE9EWG6/04+Bucks+fighting+2+pond+3+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Two bucks squaring off in the early evening. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442044481-OPTF4VI3KLJ5FB7PYPL3/image-asset.jpeg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Mom raccoon with her kits, observing us as we came walking down the road. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512588333321-C2VLP4FM5S38Q9C953S5/02+Moonset.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday The last supermoon of 2017 setting over the Coast Ranges! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442353691-DVZ1YZIA5ZIOKG2H8M1O/08+Fields+flooding.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday One of the fields, disced and beginning the flood up for the migratory birds who winter on the Preserve. Soon there will be lots of organic matter, aquatic invertebrates and other food for the birds to forage. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442186467-HG1JLF4P72E1MCU5EG97/06+Baby+crossing.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Here I come, Mom! Seemingly a bit reluctant in the chill of the morning but this youngster gamely made it across the slough to rejoin Mom and sibling. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512588384591-PYGZAUBWYFQS0SKKEH83/Low+Flow+dam+on+12-03-2017_Richard+Larson.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Low flow dam on the Cosumnes River this week. Wet but still passable so far! Photo Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442168140-MISN9OBYMS6Q9BB3F6OH/05+Mom+watching.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Mom was watching out for her last kit to swim across the slough. It took the youngster several minutes before he or she committed to swimming the cold expanse to get to Mom. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442272769-SZUMY62PLQFHFKC06OCA/07+Diana+and+Broxton%2C+deer+rub.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Crew members Diana and Broxton point out the fresh buck rub on this young oak tree. The one higher and to the left is out of reach now and trying to heal over with bark growth. On the very upper left is a wood duck box! Wood ducks nest in tree cavities and the Preserve helps promote wood duck populations here by providing these nesting boxes, tended by volunteer naturalists. Ducklings will hatch and within 24 hours or so, leap from the box, intrepidly bouncing to the soft forest duff below, and then head directly towards Mom, who is usually stationed nearby and softly encouraging the ducklings to head right over to the water. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442718977-P4RX70F2GD878JWRXS5L/10+Otter+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday North American river otters in the slough. They watched us and we watched them! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512443043000-PB56KKJA1J2FEVHZP8ZC/11+Richard+Spotlight.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Crew member Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512443953736-HIPXAIB6YDP0N54V9KJJ/10+Bobcat+or+coyote%3F.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Looks like a bobcat track in the soft mud along the road towards one of the cameras. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512499864053-QQCWOZ7CS3D94BC8ZMOB/02+Big+Tom+Tower+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Tom turkey in full display for his harem! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512501946726-KAEIJUWIZ9NLKOYI0P0T/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512502764873-AZ07NE9BYIUALX1VWSPG/01+Otter+1+front.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512499830851-92C8BN1HZB6HDW9L57P7/01+Bobcat+1+Tower+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Bobcat being watchful of something off -camera to the left. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512499893627-VZ6EUL7BFG0NP13TDX6D/03+Buck+up+close+Mark%27s+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Buck selfie! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1512442557946-AXX7WJ3I8AVDFNA5IWLY/09+Cranes+flying.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Supermoon Sunday Cranes going air borne as we walked by them along the levee road towards the next camera. We try to avoid disturbing any cranes as we perform camera checks so they don't have to expend extra energy. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/11/28/seasons-changing-on-the-preserve monthly 0.5 2017-11-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511903557728-NGWXRWE81ZO0A0EWM9AB/Deer-A+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Mystery photo 1. A curious doe checking out the infrared flash on the camera! As we've seen on the cameras, some does will startle at the flash and appear frightened and uncertain. This girl is taking on the challenge of finding out just what is making that flashing red light! Photo Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511903325367-IQXYSEBF1HPORUURLNGU/Raccoon+Q+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Mystery photo 2. What the...? Looks like small rounded ears and a pretty rounded abdomen area. What do you think? Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511903438786-U86Z74K4DFUC0VV8KZX0/Buck+Q+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Mystery photo 3. Whatever it is, it's big! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511898052506-XK72T0345QD3KIW7LXA5/Cranes+Chris+Llewellyn.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Cranes foraging and monitoring their surroundings. This image was taken from the car on the road and even so, you can see these individuals are giving us the 'eyeball!' It's important to give cranes their space and heed all boundary signs on the Preserve. Photo Courtesy of Chris Llewellyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511899357685-ILCY8N8LNOQTNC1TCA2B/Wet+roads.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Roads getting muddy after the rain. The heavy leaf litter provided lots of good traction so we were able to drive out to all the cameras except one today. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511899554035-44MQ0EP2JKRJ0NBZ36AI/water+level+at+low+flow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! You can see where the water rose to over the last two weeks and then receded before yesterday's rain. Note the animal tracks in the lower left of the photo! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511904993570-GTIG935CUP8PNEWZBKL0/01+Buck-Doe+2+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Note the running gait of the doe. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511905118466-NBH6RH77SWZ9LY2SVG8E/06+Bobcat+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Bobcat on the move. Note how this one is walking on the outside track of the road, at the farthest range from the camera's infrared flash. This may be a bobcat who passes the location regularly and has learned to step along the outside there in the darkest area of the flash zone. His or her coat markings can be a clue as to whether this cat is a regular! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511910182202-4KYXRLX7EOJCJNQGLA6L/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511899462220-7RKDI3RRZU7KIDBCAJCH/Chris+at+the+low+flow.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Crew member Chris at the other side of the low flow dam today. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511905082702-7F5DGPSLIV9M4C2SIHYL/04+Deer+and+Turkeys+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Deer and turkey! See the turkeys checking out the deer as he walks by. (The deer has spike antlers, likely a yearling.) Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511897829828-CUQUTL4P36ENOMFHNTKQ/01+Cranes+front.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511901153210-1Q4TNP7WOBNH4L3HILML/Camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Here's our camera, mounted on a large oak tree and padlocked into its casing. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511901881717-8XT83IRPWQWBS7C7OZ6I/Coyote+scat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Coyote scat. Twisty, hairy and soft and collapsible when squeezed. Lion or bobcat scat would be clearly segmented with blunt ends, have a felt-like quality when broken open and be very hard when squeezed. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511903674212-Z6GEB26O0WR5JO6DLI8T/Raccoon+A+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Mystery photo 2. A raccoon! Camera angles and lighting can make some species appear like others and only with confirmation from other images in the sequence is it easy to discern who it is. Also, note that we can make the identification with a partial picture of the animal because of the raccoon's distinctive ringed tail and the high curve of the back. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511905054513-M0LY1QYZC56B4WXI4VHT/02+Coyote+2+Tower+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Coyote! This is a great example of how animals evolve in many ways to blend in to their surroundings. Note how this coyote's coat is so close in color to the surrounding habitat. The coloration on his head and face are lighter, making that part of him easier to see in this image. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511901524402-MXSSGRG4OSOQ4R9P3H11/Thankful+turkey+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Thankful turkey! This is the same camera view as the photo just above it. Note how different times of day and sun or clouds can greatly affect the lighting and clarity of images. The photo above this one is from the same camera angle and was taken at about 8:30AM on a sunny day. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511900733002-WQ2FRBD5GCA38YDAOS9N/03+Cosumnes+river+flowing.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! The Cosumnes River at the same location as the image above, just two weeks ago! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511900652189-BRJW6FGG6EJHJ9UV6LRG/River+level.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Here's a photo of the river at the exact spot we stood at several weeks ago. You can't see the bottom now! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511901858833-4UKN2RGO3Q1W1DZT6DEN/Coyote+track.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Coyote track in the sandy substrate by the low flow dam. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511903251505-QIJYT0OG0H9GW5NSAWIW/Deer+-+Q+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Mystery photo 1. Hmmmm, looks like a tawny back. What about those ears? Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511901829214-DGRNQWEAOFOB5ZJLC6FC/Heron+track.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! The right foot track of a Great blue heron. Note how the back toe extends offset from the middle point of the three front toes. This is an identifier for GBH tracks. Possibly a raccoon or otter track on the left side of the heron track. Which animal came by first? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511903816362-FGQD9I8ZLDFL1OWSR5PP/Buck+A+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Mystery photo 3. A buck! The full series of images shows him approaching the camera and checking it out closely. Maybe he was hoping it would make a good antler rub! Bucks this time of year mark territory and find relief as they shed velvet by rubbing their antlers on trees and even scraping them in the dirt. Eventually, this buck will drop his rack and sprout a new one in the spring. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511899503346-BBUCYJ4K3H6MBAJLE6PB/Low+flow+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Water has receded from last week but still remains close to the top of the low flow dam. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511905101586-VASEFN6LBPGATHIQ913I/05+Raccoon+reach+1+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Look at the reach on this raccoon and how small and nimble his or her hand is reaching for the branch. Some interesting insect or vegetation may be spotted. Raccoons are notorious opportunists who can access things that require deft digits - a good reason to never leave dog or cat food in feeders outside! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511902689206-OVCRQU8S76JYIE13PCPA/Kristin+Harrisberger+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Crew member Kristin Harrisberger and crew member-in-training Rosemary! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511904566574-2GDBTAVFCD1J6BKOWX78/01+Buck-Doe+1+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! The next three images are an exciting sequence of a buck chasing a doe. Both the doe and the buck look like they're running hard on the chase. We don't know how it ended but this is the season for lots of mating competition and pursuit! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511905025516-DHW1ILOXNDO7WA9UT67Z/01+Buck-Doe+3+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! The same running gait as the buck pursues. Note that the buck is holding his head lower on his frame than the doe. Can you guess why? Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511898191140-0ZXIZGPEHUQNM57OVDXL/Eagle+Chris+Llewellyn.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! There are Bald eagles on the Preserve and they're one of the predators that Sandhill cranes must watch out for. This individual was seen roosting in a Cottonwood tree on one of our camera routes. Cranes defend against aerial predators by leaping into the air and kicking at them with their long, strong legs. Photo Courtesy of Chris Llewellyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511901196806-F4X2E2HTILJFBC5MKBPD/Camera+view.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Here's the view the above camera gets. You can see the game trail moving right down the middle of the photo here and there's also a pathway from left to right here, moving across the levee and down towards the river on the left. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511900893306-64S162T4SRUOOJHJ7AKO/Chris+with+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for All-Weather Lions! Crew member Chris tending one of our cameras. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/11/20/title monthly 0.5 2017-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511212350698-TWBXKDOCT3W5WKOLL7DM/08+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks One of our cameras, mounted on a post at the turn of a roadway on the Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214344408-7HMI68P92ATU75C47LZR/02+Bobcat+looking+up+WS+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Bobcat looking up! Maybe an owl or other night activity taking place just above. Notice the fur ruff or 'beard' under his or her chin. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511213638488-P7HZ6R7TOH5IYOK7DF8U/Tom+photo.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Crew Member Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214412288-MMS2KKBD4YEJ15ZCXZH9/05+Coyotes+one+scratching+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks All good coyotes have to stop and have a good scratch now and then. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511209773380-D2YXC1XHU4NPDOWKGYR4/04+Pintails.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Northern Pintails near a flooded field pond on the Preserve, 3 males and a female. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214455564-KY86T7KAE59A0DS2QEPV/07+Does+startle+on+Denier+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Doe startling on our trail camera's infrared flash. The cameras give off a red flash when firing in low or no light. These three does startled several times in the same sequence and ultimately passed by, continuing on their route. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511212046458-4ELDT56OUV7W0RM2UKJM/07+buck+and+doe+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks The top track is likely the front hoof of a large buck, notice how the hoof splays under the greater weight that would be at the front end of his body. The smaller track may be a doe and for sure a smaller deer. Which deer came by first? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511209461029-YNUOALB5O0NIAKD75D10/02+misty+on+the+road.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Driving out to the Preserve on a misty morning, watching for wildlife that might be trying to cross the road. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511204224036-IXDZR216YGRYV788JFFR/01+Pheasant+front.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511210151201-AOTRZXN2GLZMVJE74U5C/Low+flow+dam+-+Richard+Larson+11-19-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks We were able to walk across the Cosumnes River bed on this low-flow dam just last week, but not now! Photo Courtesy of Richard Larson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511210334632-LIM74QVT0Z8K98WROWJH/01+Coyotes+Whaley+south+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Several members of a healthy pack family of coyotes seen on our cameras. Note the individual in the upper left corner! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214434247-7CGYORLDDRCGSZ8IE9VX/06+Cranes+Twin+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Cranes stepping over from the agricultural field to the right, checking out the paparazzi? Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214503057-HXHAHDYB7YFW1OUVLNGT/09+3+does+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Three does walking. The first one notices the camera, even in the daytime. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214368047-6QY1AH5W918DJTBOB5IK/03+Buck+crossing+at+Tower+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Big buck crosses the camera range and gives it the 'eyeball.' Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511209563575-T8D5MVB8OI7FNWEO1HWD/03+curly+dock+and+frost.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Curly dock encrusted with frost in the early morning. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511212399700-3VHMU19WEARQJEUL2952/08+camera+view.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Here's the view the above camera gets. Wildlife passes on the roadway but there is also a well-traveled ditch that crosses the road at the telephone pole and to the left is a broad cottonwood grove that is now flooding up from the rains. To the right is an agricultural field that hosts lots of cranes right now! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511211857270-WJ0DNTCSD3GH5JFI3FPO/06+turkey+scratch%3F.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks These marks may have been made by a wild turkey, scratching and foraging under the leaf litter for insects and other food. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511212710551-DXIEM9JZ8D94LVQB5KDS/09+Sierra+and+cranes+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks View of the Sierra, to the east of the Preserve. Note the foothills on the left side of the photo, where mountain lions look for ways to enter the Valley as they disperse. Cranes foraging in the foreground. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511212804109-1986V9EDV5QUHXF8UYA9/09+Mt+Diablo+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Mt. Diablo in the Coast Ranges to the west of the Preserve. Lots of agricultural land and major highways present large challenges for navigating mountain lions trying to cross the Valley. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214391091-C5WWWYP4ZSJJ9YGH5ERV/04+Skunk+trio+at+Twin+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Skunk parade! Likely a family of three, mom and two kits. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511216008311-3IH3I91VP93TKHIEWIZM/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511214476774-TLKALMUDEL8IDPPVM89H/08+Beaver+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - First Frost for the Camera Checks Beavers are a keystone species for pond and river areas, helping with flood control and water filtration, and providing habitat for other wildlife that depends on aquatic food resources. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/11/14/bobcat-kittens-and-river-rising monthly 0.5 2017-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683197279-FMKAIKF81Y4TKTPG16MS/02+Low+flow+dam+on+Cosumnes+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! View of the box culvert channeling some of the water now flowing in the Cosumnes River. A box culvert is a square- or rectangular-shaped concrete structure that helps direct and manage water flow. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510688977838-FZNZVTAMLRORZHL77RXT/02Turkey.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Wild Turkey gettin' big! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683090075-6HG6FTAUYB7AP6FFDD7J/02+Low+flow+dam+and+crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Crewmembers Diana and Broxton and Tom stand on the low-flow dam over the Cosumnes River. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510684123354-S0FKITIU7T3XXR3WLJMN/06+crew+and+landscape.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! The only wildlife we saw on the landscape today was our intrepid crew! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510687362609-228J0IYX9QUV0TW16S0R/Mary+DuBose.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Crewmember Mary DuBose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683150741-B1YQNQUP6I6DYRG06IT7/02+Low+Flow+dam+over+Cosumnes+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Cosumnes River at the low-flow dam. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683982561-74S80CRNRWCJPQGH1ZYB/05+tom+removing+shaw+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Tom taking down the camera that's on the north side of the river, soon to be inaccessible by our crew! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510682445132-O20JZP0W4EVTKFZ2ZCLI/01+Bobcat+front.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510684641505-7HPV3RUVTO4E1E5IY4K9/01+bobcat+kittens%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Mom and two bobcat kittens stroll by one of our trail cameras! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683499909-O5ZVCC07PBK5L8SP89DD/03+canine+tracks+and+scratches.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! What looks like canine tracks and scratch on the trail on the north side of the low-flow dam. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683709558-BO7BSHZ828TJB1SFEDQO/04+bobcat+scat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Recent bobcat scat that shows this individual is likely eating off of a fresh kill. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510688048330-WK73XXVETZTNCOXMT076/11-13+Shaw+trail_Tom+Palmer.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! The floodplain of the Cosumnes River out near the camera we just retrieved because of the rising river. You can see the riverbed at the bottom left, which now has much more water flowing! If you look at the two bright dots in the middle of the photo, that's crewmembers Diana and Erin checking out a particularly odiferous plant we learned was Nicotiana, or Tobacco Flower, from CRP The Nature Conservancy Restoration Ecologist Sara Sweet! Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510684029051-16R1UM0AWOCYBRRDZW39/05+tom+putting+up+new+location.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Tom installing the camera at the new location, near where a lion was seen earlier this year. Crew member Broxton supervises while Mom helps him get a better view. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510688070694-R705EM428IDJCQNU3A0S/11-13+9+Beach.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Our camera is placed in the dense oak forest at the top of this photo on a traveled wildlife corridor that links two more open savannah areas. The Cosumnes River is on the left Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510683378251-QMDVV2FSOQLQP0G27ZOB/03+Cosumnes+river+flowing.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! The Cosumnes River flowing! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510685217780-DN3JDJ71TLRQIOK0WEQV/01+bobcat+kittens%21+copy2.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Well, we had to have a close-up of those little fur balls! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510688114373-28R0R9UGB6I580R3ZG4V/11-13+7c+Whaley+gate+south.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! This photo and the photo above show the same levee roadway where we have two cameras. This photo is at the south end and the photo above it is at the north end. Good thick cover for a mountain lion mosey! Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510689002578-EDUNKW8286I6IVS70AKR/03+River+otter.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! River otter on an overland trek! Otters can travel miles between water sources and hunting grounds. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510689093941-XB3MX330729ASO62BDMR/04+coyote+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! Coyote noticing an oak leaf hanging in the air, suspended temporarily maybe from spider gossamer or something else. The leaf hung there for a series of photos before coming loose and falling to the ground! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510688093405-W6Q5WX3GX1GRVZHRE7JQ/11-13+7d+Whaley+gate+north.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510690574615-N5DH04GE6VCRFWGYWG9K/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - River Rising - Oh, and Bobcat Kittens! https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/11/6/dzwh91va8nlo4lav19v26kz6bkk3ks monthly 0.5 2017-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510082037879-EI4LYRZS593P9PPZ7PJN/Erin+and+Rick+at+Tower.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? One of the trail cameras captures Erin and Rick approaching, dreaming of lions! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510016980433-GOPC3INNF8HH31N38PVQ/11-05+6+Tower+pump.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Camera 6, deep in a remote area of the Tall Forest where deer, bobcat, coyote and more abound. Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510011148233-72CBG5JOY5E2XVYHA08C/01+Richard+and+post+pounder.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Richard using the post pounder to sink our camera post. Go Richard! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510014795981-I6WIGX7XW72YTE8J67KH/05+Rick+checking+camera+sunny+day.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Rick, one of our expert camera checkers as seen through the camera casing window! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510017007156-8JP590A2QLLNMQHPQKGR/11-05+7b+Denier+levee.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Camera 7b, a good example of a choke point on a wildlife corridor. It's easy to see where a mountain lion would prefer to walk here. Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510011197248-J9I2M1TKRH0YXHHEGR4S/03+Camera+case+mount.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? The camera casing is securely bolted to the post and we're ready to lock the camera up - after we turn it on of course! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510015492221-4IUVBOGQ8BZDOA14U913/03+coyote+skunk+3+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Skunk stands his ground. Note his tail does not move and his eyes follow the coyote. Photos Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510019139930-V9GILIGX3LWQ8LG0G7RG/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510013189845-UX4MDNPX0PI1TFOM8GM9/12+otter.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? The family group cavorting and foraging up the slough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510011176228-AG5S5EK5LALWQOKUYWE8/02+Emma+and+Richard.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Emma and Richard are ready to test some 'lion moves' on the camera to see if we have the angle adjusted correctly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510015450504-C6PIXBCF27NH70DWRLCB/03+coyote+skunk+2+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510016370738-C81WXCJ5SUFN1YQI5449/06+Shelter+oak.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Old shelter oak on the Cosumnes River Preserve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510017369482-CJFNW45Z9S6ECAOSBWL0/02+Buck+front+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510013931997-GJ3EFY9GIK7MR349604C/08+Otter+1+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Chirps and snorts from both sides of the slough as the otters reconnoitered about their separation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510015348081-XGDUXJ18TWH98UGFMH11/03+coyotes+skunk+1+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510013234821-V9W6RWO6TMF41FW8R71R/16+otter.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Look at those pearly whites! River otters are in the Scientific Classification Order 'Carnivora' for good reason. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510013169637-EJ4T1CRK44LXFF9ONYYC/10+otter.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Otter alert! Otters can stay underwater for up to 8 minutes and can close their ears and nostrils to keep water out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510016950467-0ABVVC7DUCEFHW1IHYHO/11-05+5a+Equiment+pad%2C+5b+RR+bridge.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Camera 5a, near a well-used intersection by wildlife and humans alike. Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510013947588-3WOX77SA2UNQ92FRQZDZ/08+otter+2+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Making the dash for it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510013972719-NO49NTWNAPDIQQMSASTS/08+Otter+3.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? All's well and headed up the slough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510019081101-7OI7FY68KZV4TEUE8MJS/06+Bobcat+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Will Changing Seasons and Cameras Bring Mountain Lions? Bobcat! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/10/30/coyote-and-dancing-cranes monthly 0.5 2017-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509415832264-6D4Z08LV9MZP2ZMYJP9Q/04+Coyote+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Coyote. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509415816513-SJMAVTFG6CC4DDTDHY6D/03+Turkey+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Wild tom turkey trot! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509402131652-8DSRYRPNL6X2QVI2TC49/Junior+lion+trackers.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Baby Rosemary and baby Broxton meet and 'talk lion' while their moms look on! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509398949900-YTQWCWPRQFX9HHIYF196/Coyote+gait.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Side trot gait of a coyote. The hind foot steps in front of the front foot. So we're looking at, from left to right, a hind foot and front foot, about 18 inches of stride measured from front foot to front foot, and then another hind foot and front foot. Side trots are used for lots of things, including as an efficient gait for traveling, exploring and when coyotes are away from cover. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509400932701-5YCXOHIWJYKUG67AQUEW/Coyote+1-2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Coyote one-two! He looked back several times to watch us as we watched him from the car! Photo Courtesy of Diana Lakeland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509401720781-YAHHLRIES4MKU9N62SZJ/Pheobe+sequence.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Black phoebe hunting insects from a perch above one of our lion cameras. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509401982726-L35UFK2UMP79KECK1BOA/Team+meeting.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Our mighty lion camera crew! Left to right: Elizabeth, Richard, Chris, Kristin and Rosemary, Diana and Broxton, Maria, Jim and Emma. Missing are Tom and Mary but they were at the meeting! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509402475099-JZILW91FI2GSMKTGRQK5/Shaw%2C+Whaley%2C+Denier.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! An overview of the landscape. It's easy to see where a mountain lion might find cover and deer. Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509401103320-2LA9QF2G6O8651P1MBNF/Processing+SD+cards.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Hard at work for the important sit-down part! Back from the field and inputting data. Crew members Richard, Mary and Diana, left to right. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509482664856-M29IDH3WI414J4B0SMAA/Answer+-+Squirrel+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! A Grey Squirrel with an acorn in his or her mouth was sitting on top of the camera and we got a chin selfie in the mystery photo above! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509415803697-9HBF0XZ8PP8RQ8KHT9EZ/02+Raccoon+family+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Raccoon family, mom and 3 youngsters. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509415847328-YVYCOSNY5A59EWJJJXX6/05+Deer.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Doe and juvenile. Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509404623003-ODQ7B5ES1TEQU050W7ON/Coyote+and+Cranes.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Someone's watching the dancing cranes. Can you see coyote? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509402417177-ZDK54TUSUSWZ0NMTXBCK/4+Twin+pumps.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Camera 4 is along a slough not far from Cosumnes River with possible home range and edge zone habitats. Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509397969414-SHQFRYOW4UMPMYQMG1O1/Deer+bone.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! A deer leg bone with some membranous tissue still intact. There were no chew and bite marks that could indicate mountain lion but someone likely had a meal of deer earlier this year. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509415786505-P53CW8K9WBQTU3VEK1JT/01+Bobcat+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Bobcat! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1510964493958-1KPL4G3CK2UB2MQ31JPS/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509396989197-ZF6DE60OOUKDPSL3CV92/Coyote+4+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509401868961-1KD3VLE0IH6RP9Y5MWAW/Mystery+photo%21.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Mystery Photo: Who's this? Answer below! Photo Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509399529621-WJ92R4EH301Y29RFR8IZ/dog-coyote+tracks.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Dog track on the left. Rounder, distinct, blunt toenails and toes seem to spread a bit. Coyote tracks on the right. Compact, oval, in some cases only the middle toenails register clearly. That said, it can be easy to mistake dog tracks for coyote tracks! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1509402447143-CAQKCLAT3PB5T0ZTKB79/7e+Shaw+forest+new.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyote and Dancing Cranes! Camera 7e is located in a tall oak forest along a stream bed that's currently dry. The big sandy area is part of the Cosumnes River floodplain. Photo Courtesy of Tom Palmer https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/10/23/5oxy560hvrukuua85ev7ws066h5ull monthly 0.5 2017-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508786758094-XRN7CNP5OW9IZXVEVX8R/03+Spider.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Spider web with morning dew and a large orb spider warming in the sun. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508789289375-4HLWFAENMKZ459LLL32C/05+bobcat+pattern+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508789694218-VKPQIK5EAZDTIRYHS7EA/06+bobcat+claws%3F.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks These claw marks on a telephone pole near one of the cameras are just about bobcat size! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508794427465-YTDDHOPRO4MZOWSBPKJF/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508785628415-STDLZHZ4BTYUND41FSSQ/01+bobcagt+front+BLM+copy.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508787393694-WD8MT9ULTFTCLLXZLRMM/04+edge+zone+and+home+range.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Example of an edge zone on the left. An area where lions have cover but also room to run. Example of home range on the right. Remote with lots of cover and possible den locations, a slough nearby and deer and other prey animals frequent the area. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508789321480-8724NTCPQ8F1AAMMD4Y6/05+bobcat+pattern+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Two different bobcats, easily recognizable by their coat patterns. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508789445058-8CLU5APBY90DCRF31RP8/04+bobcat+kitten+1.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508795037208-FWZFR27COR6DW3VLC59U/10+coyote+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Coyote coat colors can vary and this one has pronounced rust around his or her neck and ear areas. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508794837910-2EQJDUQ9GPLI0LFWR6SW/07+river+otter+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks River otter nighttime escapade. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508786708236-WAO4JU31D7C11CF7Q4T4/02+misty+landscape.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Beautiful misty morning on the Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508793494761-CSWU87KEBE6NAGSLGXLN/03+Crew+2+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks One of our trail cameras caught the crew on a recent morning. From left to right: Elizabeth, Emma, Jim and Richard. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508794898986-1TYZOQVJ4FL18EUTPJF5/08+buck+startlint+at+camera+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Buck startling at camera's infrared flash. Note his hooves jumping and disturbing the dirt. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508793084113-LY5NQTAEOLNIV9N1ZMXR/11+river+otter+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Tracks of a river otter in a muddy slough bank, hind paw on top left, front paw on lower left. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508794781914-QKRKXZTKSD3E5WV8MX9T/06+great+horned+owl+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Great horned owl camera fly-by! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508792630712-RKYXAVGNBAXE64L4PB9C/07+Richard+at+Twin+pumps.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Crew member Richard changing out a possibly defective camera so we won't miss that lion! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508789483902-MC2P11Q0BRE9VXMBHQEE/04+bobcat+kitten+2.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Bobcat kitten and mom! Photos Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508792975336-WYRWH4QI06041ESLCXLY/12+walking+deer+pattern.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks The typical walking gait of a deer. Can you tell which way this deer was walking?. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508794982751-62Y2Y4INAP4WGKRO3TZP/09+bobcat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks Bobcat out during the day. Though often nighttime and dusk and dawn hunters, they can be seen at any time of day. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508792748492-3YD9FXDXIJ8W0SKYPUTQ/13+bass+and+fish+duo.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wet Cameras and Muddy Tracks We found a small bass that looked like it had tried to eat another fish that was too big for it! Crew member Chris bravely brought the unfortunate pair of fish back to the office for further inspection! Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/10/17/deer-coyotes-and-bobcats-oh-my monthly 0.5 2017-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508261106469-01QC09JRU1VNZYO9OR7N/09+raccoon+photo+1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Different camera but here we had another breathtaking moment! Curious lion? Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508256055598-U3LGYB5DMO8UE40A75IA/01+Deer+front.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508256143619-SVEA2D24J2DKR5U73S7A/02+Sunrise.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! The sun rising through the smokey haze. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508262501180-9NDXDKAQG289JIFNNQYT/06+bobcat+scats+two.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Two bobcat scats. The one on the left is dark and well-segmented. Because of the dark color, this bobcat likely just dined on a fresh kill. The scat on the right may be older and looks to contain some plantain on the upper right, eaten by bobcats possibly for digestive upset. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508263670535-RK5LYJTAUJ9N3NQ8HP0Z/09+raccoon+not+lion+BLM.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! The camera shows a raccoon moving toward the camera, and the next frame? Raccoon selfie! Both photos were taken on October 15, 2017 at 10:53pm. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508261501798-XBSVT0ENDKECW4F7AW51/05+deer.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Black-tailed deer on the road out to a camera check. Where there's deer, there's likely to be mountain lions! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508264011402-50EJOY1VJ8589EUTL3JT/03+Bobcat+end+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Bobcat taking stock of the landscape. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508256241953-6TWEO7SSKBURMVDD5Z2B/03+the+crew.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! A few of our awesome crew members, Diana, Mary and Tom, checking a camera! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508261616417-Z1R1EE6D4KX92ZJZVGTA/04+raccoon+tracks.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! A clear set of raccoon tracks, showing the front paw on the top and the hind paw on the bottom. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508264035132-HG8RWB7SU1DFRG34BS3W/04+end+flicker+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! A Northern Flicker taking a closer look at the camera! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508264070268-RUPIPFTCLSQ0Y2Z8RQV5/05+raccoons+end+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Raccoon family. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508260307020-757AC0IUM9EX5L8LMS1X/02+bobcat+and+fox+BLM.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! A bobcat sits on the right for size comparison, and on the left, likely a gray fox is passing almost the same spot several days earlier. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508264089776-XC4WMMKDCYETU9SYXYSB/06+end+coyote+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Coyote on the move. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508264108086-05P5QGGIF7MM1ZTKNB0V/10+end+turkeys+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Tom turkeys duking it out! Courtesy of Bureau Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508264186070-I9UOSW5NUE4VWZJ921MI/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508261030482-MYGZ7CK5LRYYT9TVFP65/07+deer+photo1+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Suspicious! Whiskers, rounded-looking ear. We did a double-take. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508263503323-R48QWZ6CGMJ4VDGHU6D3/07+deer+not+lion+BLM.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! At first we see the whiskers and rounded-looking ear....the next frame shows several deer browsing next to the camera and a curious deer got a little up close and personal! Both photos were taken on October 11, 2017 at 5:58am. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508268405065-XCR6BIS1HALW5GDTLRLI/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508263992469-CBJ29SEPBI1WCXEPTNE5/01+end+two+deer+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Two does. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508262138182-PCMFXLAWH694VKRUIC3S/end+photo.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! Possible location for another lion camera on the Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508263179435-OYO3B6G5JF4VMRFNK4TU/11+bobcat.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Coyotes, Bobcats and Deer, Oh my! A lone bobcat out and about on the Preserve at night, probably hunting for rabbits and mice. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/10/9/thinking-outside-with-paws monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507584923416-X1RL49U4BR1KHQNWLW10/12+lion+country.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Lion country on the Cosumnes River Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507584078367-EF6ZLFAFRZ4M3708QBZH/11+bobcat+track.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! This is probably a coyote track, note the two lobes on the rear of the heel pad. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507583866188-8AJ9MSUF12XJRL8C99PK/03+Phoebe+front.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507588328509-J8VIXFK8GWVSVD0OBVA2/crew+walking.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! The crew, caught on camera! Carrying essentials - the 'Go' pack, a camera, loppers, and a ruler. Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507593827184-8APBOCVOV5H95N36AGB5/Screen+Shot+2017-10-09+at+5.02.59+PM.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! River otter runnin'! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507585130720-PKR0KL9XGJ4JXGBNI3BO/Bald+eagle+10-05-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Bald eagle thermaling, but not alone! There were 5 or 6 turkey vultures, a red-tailed hawk and a merlin gliding peacefully in the same thermal column. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507588815917-P0WT46OURQTHWP09P8WP/budding+buck+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! A young buck, note the antler bud on the right side of his head in front of his ear. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507588775495-1J5BWXWDVIML9NJHWQD0/Coyotes+BLM.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Coyote pair traveling across the landscape in early morning. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507586022928-BVI7VO2RVQN03QIB8Y7T/06+lion+scratch%3F.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Diana stands for scale next to the same telephone pole where the there are large scratches further up the pole. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507654922104-VA6U1T2G8ECFQ3HIXTXT/Screen+Shot+2017-10-10+at+10.01.06+AM.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Differences between canine and feline tracks. Courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507586001609-B4643XLO4GZFRKMD7UC9/06+bobcat+scratch.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! A telephone pole used by bobcats for a scratching post! Note the fresh scratches on the upper right of the visible part of the pole. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507594627641-IC57O197R5MVKE1QYTZS/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507590755333-42GGC6182X79ZVWJMZXM/IMG_0208.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Bobcat walking! Note how the white spots on the back of the ears really show up. You can see he or she has a bobbed tail also, black on top with white underneath on the tip. This picture was taken at dawn in low light so the leafy carpet reflects almost with a snowy effect. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507583957039-BM4PUVV418SXBC20AUAI/10+crew+shot.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! Crew member Pam and new crew member Mountain Lion Foundation biologist, Diana, checking one of our cameras. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507586654816-5A4C8G21T5RM3ZWH6QIT/04+buck+scrape.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! These marks are likely made by a passing buck, to let does and other bucks know he's in the territory. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508268311600-FT1QH2RPL359KHTVAMZB/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507584801937-UAB6QVGCR7CZP7K63NIR/01+Break+line+for+camera.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Thinking Outside, With Paws! A view along the break line of oaks and shrubs that borders an agricultural field, a great place for a lion to mosey? This is a future camera location! Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/10/3/wildlife-sharing-the-landscape monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507058117860-MR1LEO9CIHF4J7FWDZA2/BLM+05+black+phoebe.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape A Black Phoebe often uses one of the cameras as a perch while hunting for insects. Here she's returning to her perch! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Managemenet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507056684457-DDD63PC0BD9IZAXK4UIP/05+heron+and+turkey+tracks.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Great blue heron track on the left, note the asymmetrical hind toe. A wild turkey track on the right. The hind toe of the turkey doesn't always register but can be seen here. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507055520583-8GHH8LLCBICX0MS4SR9L/04+Deer+pronking.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Deer pronking, the four-legged bounding motion used to escape when threatened, at dawn. Pictures have been cropped for space. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507055583849-YP2G5WK9V2PF4SCT0PHQ/04+Raccoon+running.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Raccoon running past the same camera, about 5 days later at 11:50pm. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1508268259478-7OST00FF0ZTPCGG4ZZKY/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507057940833-089KY7CAF4B4EBZOTFY5/BLM+01+Heron.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Great blue heron strutting in front of the camera. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507052840694-6LULJZLVOYG7O33SV1H5/01+Front+image.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507058070027-91II3UZ3C47NO893EOZV/BLM+03+Deer+and+fawn.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape A doe and her spotted fawn walk by the camera. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507053019117-NETP3JWKX5B2R4J8GXC1/02+the+crew.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Emma and Elizabeth checking Camera 10d. One crew member handles the camera and one crew member scribes camera data. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507053862801-SMON4A4HD2HCSH91HOPP/03+bobcat+and+coyote.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Wildlife texting! The top two images show a bobcat marking and the bottom two show a coyote marking over the bobcat about two days later. Courtesy Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1507057991778-RMG1TAXBA86JQRO4HS66/BLM+02+Turkeys.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Wildlife Sharing the Landscape Wild turkey kerfluffle! Note the dust being kicked up by the scuffle on the left. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/25/lion-scat-thats-a-big-cat monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506379331361-X11C7B4WWUKPJL6HR6MC/03+Coyote+greeting%21.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Coyote greeting! Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506369293709-4BOBIUWOF4CSGT8V3YZO/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506369630584-79VBX0DXTDTMJ3LKUQ4G/05+Fall+at+CRP+09-24-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! The Cosumnes River Preserve in late September. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506372222424-RGX8BJ4IZUGLRN5PHOAH/CRP+colors+09-24-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! View on the Cosumnes River Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506379805964-JWA1PL553JASLFLLU4LS/01+Coyote+and+turkey+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Coyote and turkey. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506379389069-WXRMGXKNZQKUIKOW5TNC/04+Fawn+09-24-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Fawn. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506379306067-NE1UOYA1YIB8234GVNEA/02+Bobcat+09-24-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Bobcat. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506711753582-30NMGYQUT1NV2M3W9K8M/03+bobcat+and+lion+scat+09-24-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Comparison between two different sized scats. The scat on the left may be bobcat. The scat on the right is much larger and could be mountain lion or possibly coyote. Emma Greene image on right. Erin Hauge image on left. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506370628632-U8WSPS9YFMDGRR862JXV/01+front+Heron+reflection+09-24-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506368799702-EV31EV9K281LI59V3FAE/02+kill+site+and+feather+ring+09-24-2017.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Kill site where a barn owl died. Left, overview of the site. Right, the ring of feathers created as the owl was likely knocked out of the air by a great horned owl or other large raptor. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506379422264-SEVSEWJGOQJ2KKBQ6T60/05+Deer.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Deer, mouth open - mouth closed. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1506370534290-6B3C6FA49LY5PLW5VVDL/MountainLion_Cover_CourtesyUSFS_688x344.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Scat - That's a Big Cat! Mountain lion photo courtesy USFS. https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/18/owls-pheasants-hawksand-lions monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505778514580-0ZY8YBO81MPG3A2BKGOL/Cranes%21+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505779225805-L5GYM4WI1JZP98TKDODK/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505779168122-CCRY0YNF1EZG0QVMGZRK/Walk+in+the+Woods%21+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Walk in the woods! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505778854746-0HXN1XWHPCRXDGVIXCGV/2+Immature+Male+Pheasants+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Two immature male Ring-necked pheasants - they'll get their bright feathers at about 10 weeks of age. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505780281479-X32DMI3MYXYCLWBQY30K/Red+tail+hawk+2+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Red-tailed hawk. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505788670499-0TJRI1TMIXUTKDZ38TG7/BLM+Heron+chase+1+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Great Blue Herons. Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505779030416-ON1A6O2BAS4OK0LPVVUO/Interesting+track+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions An interesting track. It's been sent to the experts for analysis! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505778450566-7AX1Y01CFDTUKSPRLGJ5/CRP+colors+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505778691804-EY1YCD0UU08L47Q0THEC/both+barn+owl+kill+sites.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions A predator killed these barn owls, maybe a bobcat or a large raptor. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505778760113-QO41DJUBLWXWWS38HQF7/Deer+scrape+with+callus%3F+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions An old deer scrape, made years ago when a buck was rubbing felt from his antlers. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505788737666-KX7HQNOYJKW8RT9ONWEF/BLM+Heron+march+on+Egret+3+09-18-2017.JPG Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Owls, Hawks, Pheasants, Cranes...and Lions Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets. Courtesy of Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/11/fieldtrip-to-bohemia-ecological-preserve-looking-for-lions monthly 0.5 2017-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511051996548-8KFKR7OZ8C6Q9D4QLGW7/Front+Paw+-+front.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505157637372-4XO2SFVMTB2K0CB0VSA2/Mountain+lion+front+and+back+paw.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! A mountain lion's front paw track is wider or rounder than it is long and the back paw track is longer than it is wide. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505158793338-66LTO585CHFHTQ2SEUYF/Bohemia+Ecological+Preserve.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! A damp and muddy riparian area on the Bohemia Ecological Preserve that mountain lions frequent. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505160748226-THBQ1C7DVKWY1I6POTD8/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505156244832-TUW0O8PQ53UNWV78RTGY/Bobcat+and+coyote+scat.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Bobcat scat tends to be more solid and may look like felt on the inside. Coyote scat can be more squishy and may contain more undigested hair. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505158627855-HHU6MEWZRNELFQQEI7MY/Opossum+track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Opossum track in the mud bottom of the dry pond. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1511052027455-FQ2USDL6MDB7EXZJZR02/Thumbnail+14+Lion+scrape.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Lion scrape. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505157778087-QEVI8DSBSX64YI29FQOV/Lion+double+register.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Mountain lion double register track, where the back paw steps right in the front paw's track. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505159857850-CFZOTHWHMIMXIF08D81B/Where+a+lion+sat+to+think.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Where a lion sat to look before a leap! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505158014471-YFP9YBUTMDUYHS5AUI71/Lion+track+with+ruler.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Walking where the lions walk! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505158509542-M9R8DRXT4O0SGVUXI8ES/Dragonflies+mating.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Dragonflies mating. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505156481979-CG7BTMYHIO34DMC0OHV5/Several+lion+scrapes.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! Multiple mountain lion scrapes. These subtle duff piles are marked with lion scent from back paws and are used to signal information to other mountain lions. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1505158467147-SVUD3NX47ATCZ4XDCSVI/Where+a+Lion+Landed.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Fieldtrip to Bohemia Ecological Preserve: Looking for Lions! This lion leapt a 20-foot stream channel and landed in the muddy bank. Look closely at the upper left impression and you'll see a paw track! Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/eclipse-on-the-preserve monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504822497243-PG1VUYEZHXMUKOKQI3F6/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821727873-CC7ZV54AQ2FZMZPNZ1LO/Skunk+and+Raccoon%21_RR+flatcar+bridge.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! Skunk hot on the tail of a raccoon! Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504820906115-Y1O2MUL4ZMYD8BZJVP97/thumbnail+13.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821639851-OQ2OKRLMI1R49WFS11S2/Otter_Beach+Rd.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! North American River Otter. Lontra canadensis. Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821699714-JF20GI02ZW9T40DBB26H/Doe+and+fawns_Beach.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! Black-tailed Deer, Doe and spotted fawns. Odocoileus hemionus columbianus. Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821177388-IV8AT2A6A85WFEBCT2R7/eclipse+shadows.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! Crescent shadows forming during the eclipse. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821031678-2MO5YBSXX01Q9Y5PQ29Q/coyote.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! Young and curious! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821094588-5GTIIAHLW6GCH1V0VC8T/hawk.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! This hawk had a lot to say as the eclipse approached. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504821591995-KG8QKR003BBF9H14NTI2/Coyote+Cougar+Wetlands+Pump+Rd.jpg Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Eclipse on the Preserve! Coyote. Canis latrans. Bureau of Land Management https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/location-location monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504802995850-548HS8NPMQ9BJI0KBEO8/Thumbnail+12.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Location! Location! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504803166891-K5CRVUF9YXDU82TM4M02/Lion+dance.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Location! Location! Doing the camera test, otherwise known as the mountain lion dance! Mary DuBose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504803529377-GXQ88DEUTW0NYXUAVHW2/camera-eye+view.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Location! Location! Trail camera's-eye view up a well-traveled corridor. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504803678700-J8JID1XTGNHQVW8AQLF2/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Location! Location! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504803058046-AYXFBQ68SF1D1JT3ZEQQ/Camera.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Location! Location! This camera is cabled to the tree for easy adjusting. Cameras that get direct sun can get washed out images so we relocated this one. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/puma-or-coyote monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504802025597-D3FO7VUKCV1PHP3UM96Y/Thumbnail+11.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Puma or Coyote? NatureTracking.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504802149766-MY46FJY48FMLEGW6A5JC/bobcat-coyote+tracks.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Puma or Coyote? Feline and canine tracks for comparision. The bobcat track is 1.75 inches long. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504802444282-62V6QRG584EMNYP5F933/Puma+Track.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Puma or Coyote? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504802080020-YLQXF6SB2TPJDDJA05WC/CRP+tracks.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Puma or Coyote? CRP Archives https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/whos-scat-is-that monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504801087928-F12HNFL38JIJOK6NWB9B/Big+scat+on+Preserve.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Scat is That? Big scat on the Preserve! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504800283563-58DNZWSQVXT3HPAQJ0GP/Puma+scat+-+CDFW.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Scat is That? Mountain lion scat. California Department of Fish and Wildlife https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504800639240-SFVW4RBVURD65TRHV41S/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Scat is That? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504800225206-7CTQGZZPHWHO4XLPM897/Thumbnail+10.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Scat is That? Mark Elbroch https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/scent-marking-after-a-rain monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504799016352-CHRTIWPH3X13ZHAAI1HZ/lion+looking+up.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Scent-Marking After a Rain Creative Commons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504799048612-QS13XU0XHYEO5GNZ1URC/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Scent-Marking After a Rain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504798972983-G60VTS94JOCK05JB7I8A/Thumbnail+09.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Scent-Marking After a Rain Susan C. Morse https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/a-wet-year-for-wildlife monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504798348504-2E3YFWUXD9IISK9GR5MJ/Tower+Pump.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - A Wet Year for Wildlife The road to one of the cameras - undrivable and unwalkable for much of this season. The team must pull cameras when they are inaccessible and wait for things to dry out. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504798300057-6YKP3SL7E5TZTXNM43H5/image-asset.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - A Wet Year for Wildlife Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504798541332-8XYIXDKMJ73BJYSNG4Q5/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - A Wet Year for Wildlife https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504798442049-KWLSL52KG70O26QAULF3/Twin+Pumps.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - A Wet Year for Wildlife Drying out but still rubber boot-worthy! Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/your-territory-or-mine monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797637133-AZQAG2YR0O852B4UUY1Z/Fields.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Your Territory or Mine? Agricultural land bordering the oak forest where the lion was seen. This field grazes cows and calves. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797480762-3WZ98TYHLPTM4ZM8DS0Q/Thumbnail+07.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Your Territory or Mine? CDFW https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797553669-RA4ZEQ7A31C0PUX82ESS/Oaks.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Your Territory or Mine? Prime mountain lion country! Oak forest on the Cosumnes River Preserve. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797709139-51YQM3QLL5KB5SQYGRLG/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Your Territory or Mine? https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/lion-team-deploys-more-cameras monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797100808-PTL6AABWXXPT0VKY35FI/Lion+team+at+work.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Team Deploys More Cameras Mounting another camera near where the mountain lion was recently seen. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797050053-VO5QGR9MHBOG5Q05OIV0/Thumbnail+06.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Team Deploys More Cameras Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504797174554-8RBODBIVA9QH2VEOFYBW/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Lion Team Deploys More Cameras https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/another-possible-sighting monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504796511397-8EHYZDGQUSTQL3TIBYJB/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Another Possible Sighting! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504796480523-4RJ07LJWEX2TWIJFDZXN/Trail+camera.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Another Possible Sighting! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504796425041-ZFU2B0LWTGODYEWSUES1/Thumbnail+05.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Another Possible Sighting! Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/7/whats-wild-on-the-preserve monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504795622907-EM8J0GNP5CY8OVW1FQM8/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Wild on the Preserve? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504795370535-P2RLPDYFFCJ1Y06X4IQ5/Thumbnail+04.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Wild on the Preserve? Bureau of Land Management https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504795490230-I4R3G6BDKG6R86Q0AJAW/Coyotes.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Wild on the Preserve? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504795557160-VWK20589WISGFOV7JA3Z/Otters.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Who's Wild on the Preserve? https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/6/so-you-think-you-saw-a-mountain-lion monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504729644576-MEWUAIEFF4NISVRYJMNP/Lion+ID+tips.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - So You Think You Saw a Mountain Lion? Photo courtesy of California Department of Fish and Wildlife https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504794658782-5Y3TPQEAO0CX8MCUXRZA/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - So You Think You Saw a Mountain Lion? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504729574739-U8941N96LEIIEOL2G00P/Lion+comparison.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - So You Think You Saw a Mountain Lion? Photos courtesy of California Department of Fish and Wildlife https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504729418632-JELXD4E10NURJZF005U3/Thumbnail-03.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - So You Think You Saw a Mountain Lion? CDFW https://www.coyotenow.org/news-1/2017/9/6/looking-for-lions monthly 0.5 2017-10-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504729032775-ZC4NR0MY7MH9W0UB3R9M/Thumbnail.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for Lions! Susan C. Morse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504729229354-1I9W9A16VWYV0DWZN5U8/Deer+carcass.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for Lions! Deer carcass concealed under leaf litter. The carcass has been cabled to a tree so mountain lions and coyote can't drag the carcass out of camera range. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504729142265-AL5X9WRWZ5R2B57PRRAD/lion+country.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for Lions! Camera location by deer carcass - camera is cabled to tree on the left. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504794683887-VJRRZ9H26915JQN7TJZD/puma+track+2.png Tracks and Tales from Cosumnes River Preserve - Looking for Lions! https://www.coyotenow.org/wildlife-was-walking-there daily 1.0 2019-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1522553606707-PIRW0GHXE8BJCIRDILA6/Coyote+10+copy2.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There https://www.coyotenow.org/wildlife-was-walking-there/2018/7/20/killing-coyotes-indiscriminately-is-not-effective-for-controlling-livestock-depredation monthly 0.5 2018-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1532117379238-5DZVWUQS597YRDDQ7BQJ/Why+Killing+Doesn%27t+Work_HSUS.png Wildlife Was Walking There - Coexistence Is The Rent We Pay for Using The Land HSUS Infographic showing why killing coyotes doesn't work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1532122347393-CNYT753SVE5BA5CLM4UU/01_Coyote+front.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - Coexistence Is The Rent We Pay for Using The Land Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1532121525141-0H91YZNRKOO0DO8QBPF9/Coyote+in+mist.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - Coexistence Is The Rent We Pay for Using The Land Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1532293667407-XOEIAQXGVCT5QJN8C9XB/Puma+Track.png Wildlife Was Walking There - Coexistence Is The Rent We Pay for Using The Land ________ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1532122032056-6O5HK4LMRAXL6QX6TIK0/Coyote+3+copy.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - Coexistence Is The Rent We Pay for Using The Land Coyote hunting. Coyotes naturally eat rodents like rats, gophers, mice and voles as well as rabbits and moles (which are not rodents). Coyotes offer pest control for free! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1532121622961-8F6GVYWS87W57XY6YZ0Q/Coyote+1+copy_datebook+copy.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - Coexistence Is The Rent We Pay for Using The Land Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/wildlife-was-walking-there/2018/5/28/what-the-deer-knows monthly 0.5 2018-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547475167-7VID39N40M50KGC9SNEH/06+Ginger%27s+tracking+scarf.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Ginger's cool track sash! She made the track stamps and carried this with us on all the classes. We referred to it repeatedly out in the dirt! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547682835-L27VJLEEMQNN6F1TONKP/09+Crow+tracks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows I think these are raven tracks. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548485159-CPUZRHCMLCFG1Z641HVT/03+doe.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Doe who stood watching us for several minutes from higher up the hill, amid a stand of wild iris. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547505133-7IK3S87GJHUP5MX66DH8/07+killdeer+tracks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Killdeer tracks. We learned that the three common ground-dwelling bird tracks it's important to know are killdeer, quail and mourning dove. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527549032262-XE6XDWZMBMZ5CZJH72T8/07+Wood+rat-house.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows A wood rat's home. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547635930-TCUNUBGV243YQGCO93K8/08+Canada+goose+tracks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Canada goose tracks. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547930368-MW1DX845D2E8RDLCDT47/05+juvenile+mallards.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Three juvenile mallards nestling in the reeds by one of the dune ponds. When they're still young like this, it's hard to tell whether they're male or female. They were pretty well-camouflaged! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547384005-XW57LTOQY7NYFSC2L78G/05+buck+with+dew+claws.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Another buck track with with widely splayed toes and dew claws at bottom of photo. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547445252-Z802AQ1P1W4VLDFWSGQO/03+raccoon+dig.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Raccoon dig in some moss-covered substrate. We learned that raccoons generally dig a broader hole than skunks, who dig small, round deep holes with their smaller paws. Everyone's looking for grubs and other tasty morsels just below the surface. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548759959-TE6LB0SG1KN2UX83I1GM/14+singing+sparrow.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Singing sparrow. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527549073208-VRC98HW4P96D5P9ND9YY/17+on+the+trail.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows See you down the trail! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548678017-NMNW4Y2TT6J1B7EA5PPZ/12+badger+dig.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows A badger dig. The scat in the image below was found at the grass line at the bottom of this picture. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547749985-58A5812IVK7M070UCXO1/11+raccoon+2x2+walk.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Another raccoon 2x2 walking gait, in sand. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547825278-BS97C8OPRL5ZMJNE9S9W/02+wasp+nest.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Wasp action at the nest! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548854518-M86PEOL25TPX6JS7512N/18+mole+holes.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Mole holes. We learned that mole holes are round and if you dig your hand down into the middle of the dirt pile, there will be a vertical tunnel hole going downward. Gopher holes are more wedge-shaped because they dig at an angle. If you dig your hand down into the middle of their dirt pile, you won't find a vertical tunnel hole. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548088884-MA5CGGPETJPUO3WKIG28/08+coyote+tracks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Coyote track! See the big clear 'X' between the toe pads and only the top two toe nails are really clearly visible in this track. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548004294-68J4QUIVI3TNWU9ES0QM/07+water+spider.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows This spider skittered right across the water! I don't know what kind it is but I think it's a male because of the large pedipalps on the top of his head. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548276591-X36FY3POD5H58UB6GPDZ/05+coyote+gait.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows 1 of 3 sequence: Coyote lope gait, moving right to left across image. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548300396-OI738CC49SK81LGO0G5D/06+coyote+gait.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows 2 of 3 sequence: Coyote walking gait from right to left in middle of image. This came after the lope gait above. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547977328-NFN5AVLAOC6YNISMWP5Y/06+Jim+and+ducks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Jim watching those mallard youngsters paddle to the other side of the pond! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548821555-I0KTBT5GRVV7FWNNPDWA/19+Raven.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Raven foraging and watching our group. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548996625-XZW6CA5D14EOPQSM6UYA/06+Skunk_scat.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Skunk scat! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548146832-OL0SXBFN2V8VALAP359L/01+spider+and+poppy.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows A spider on a poppy! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548544558-J1C86IEYG2A7S0GACGHK/04+buck+scat.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Buck scat. Bucks drop their pellets all compacted together like this so it looks like one textured wad. Does drop loose pellets that scatter individually. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548403762-Y1BHXVET9Y0OOW76HMQR/10+bobcat+scat%3F.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows I think this is bobcat scat because it's neatly segmented and does not look twisty and hairy, like coyote scat would. What do you think? It also looks like maybe two different poop events. The piece on the right looks different! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547343461-8DTQBEM1R4KL2Z28WFLD/02+buck+with+dew+claws.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Buck track with dew claws showing at the top of the photo. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548721248-89HEW5BTDQHABLA3ZP7T/13+badger+scat%21.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Badger scat! Jim said this is very rare to see. We were lucky! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548167890-VJBJ9O1UCROQNIQV8DRX/02+quail+on+post.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows California quail male surveying his territory. I saw him with his mate walking on the trail, also. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548922503-TV6RQK7D24QOOGQNAU6K/02+Deer-slip-big.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Track of a deer who slipped in the mud by one of the dune ponds. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547899972-CGTL6RDI0HBT8V3K6XL5/04+domestic+dog.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Domestic dog tracks. Note the round front paw at the bottom of the photo and the visibility of all toe nails. Coyote generally has just the two middle toe nails well visible. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548891552-M1ROUL3YHORSVUUPDOA4/01+bobcat+tracks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Bobcat! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548602556-1KP9EBMK03RDLE7G62A5/10+mushroom+in+bloom.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Mushrooms we found on our trail. Does anyone remember what kind these were? I don't remember. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547871506-HODE3S5O98KOJS1GA720/03+beetle+trail.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Jim points out a beetle trail in the sand. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548948620-IFU2F55AF8HLUB3QQMJ3/03+dragonfly.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows A damselfly. I have a hard time identifying these guys to species. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547715951-92IM9IGM403BBG43WLKR/10+raccoon+2x2+walk.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Raccoon 2x2 walking gait in the mud. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548446826-P9R8F2BPDB6A4R44QMJ0/02+coast+garter+snake.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Coast garter snake that was resting on the top of a coyote brush bush. The day was high overcast and it looked like this individual had eaten recently. (Not fresh or old!) Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548375221-6Y4I8F0698JXD21J75OY/09+mating+dragon+flies.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Mating dragonflies. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548572236-EL06TOLELRBH5K8EW42Z/07+Jim+walking.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Jim leading the pack on a beautiful day! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547289550-VF4P9O3WO3YEJK45V5AD/01+spider_egg+sac.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Wolf spider carrying her egg sac. Did you know wolf spiders carry their young on their back after they hatch? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548504806-9C5GB42RKFR7DILFM6VQ/08+wild+iris.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Wild Iris. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527550325601-5ZC88ADE2YP2MZIXNNM7/Blog+1_Thumbnail.jpg Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527549098114-L45007RDU5ANA1YRHAJA/Puma+Track.png Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548115355-KJ8ZS3OVBN5345ZHN2MM/10+dung+beetle+larva+tubes+on+bobcat+scat.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Wow! We learned that these are larva tubes made by carrion beetles, using the nutrient opportunity from the bobcat scat to lay their eggs! The beetles lay their eggs and the young hatch and exit through the tubes into the sand. The tubes face downward into the sand so you wouldn't know they're there unless you move the scat piece. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548201877-L6C9EJCS6LXJLE2MHHZX/03+ironclad+beetle+and+tracks.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Black beetle making tracks! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548641420-NY1I41G74U2KRO0A5YJ1/04+mushrooms+after+blooming.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows The same mushroom species as the one above, but now past it's prime and decaying. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548035336-H5YFTZGL6P5FD7K6FGFC/11+circle+up+last+class.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows The circle up. This was our lecture hall and treasured time as Jim gave us knowledge, history and great stories about our classroom - nature. He encourages questions and bird and animal observations that happen as he talks, too. Photo by Joe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548229876-X21X97MT7XZBJVWNHFJU/04+Raven-tracks_toe+drag.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Raven tracks with toe nail drag. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548059897-06QAQ4MMECF9AX1RDXL2/09+potato+bug+remains+under+a+kestrel+perch.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Potato bug carcass found under the perch of a peregrine falcon. Peregrine falcons recurgitate pellets just like owls and falcon pellets we saw were filled with shiny insect carapaces, maybe from more potato bugs! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527547801755-C464J0CKJ0Q0YNAF2CIH/01+wasp+nest.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows A big wasp nest about 20 feet off the ground in a tree by the side of the road. We learned wasp colonies can build large nests pretty quickly. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548327260-ECOQ72LWJHQR98LZJQZ9/07+coyote+gait.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows 3 of 3 sequence: Coyote full stop after the walking sequence above. We learned maybe he or she saw another coyote or something that gave this individual pause? The tracks continued after this set, heading east toward one of the dune ponds. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1527548353312-PVFM0HYFUGWUPGXM7BV5/08+primate+tracks%21.JPG Wildlife Was Walking There - What the Deer Knows Looking for more tracks! Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/in-coyotes-garden daily 0.75 2020-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592345413784-CKF2VYLNJ9N2WI7H2PW7/01_EuropeanHoneyBee_Poppy+copy_2.jpg In Coyote's Garden https://www.coyotenow.org/in-coyotes-garden/2020/6/30/day-of-the-wasps monthly 0.5 2020-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593558932873-PW8Z0RN2EMCD3KT69ZXW/01_wasp+nest+in+yard.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps The paper wasp nest in Coyote’s Garden. A number of the colony members were out hunting at this time. Note the jumping spider - the wasps ignored her as these wasps seemed prey-specific mostly toward caterpillars and larvae. And note the grey-capped nursery cells - there are eggs transforming into wasp pupae in those. As I was taking these pictures the wasps were very active tending to the nursery cells until they saw me - at which time motion stopped and all eyes were on me. No further action needed - I stopped taking pictures. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593561668448-YO83IZ4LDMC8RSOX7NC5/CoyotesGarden+Pic.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593559420031-B9S63XHBXO5OOKPLMLGE/Flying+Wasp+copy_03.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps European paper wasp hunting on a red salvia. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593560754264-GXZZX9N4IL1M1BUYTW03/02_Scrub+jay+feather.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps A feather, a pupa and nest remnants - evidence of destruction for the wasps. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593563259678-3CIKKIDIRMA70XOGLFXG/wasps+comapre.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps Wikipedia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593562782559-CW1QTRPQE5VNMI24S0KW/wasp+looking+copy.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps Pest management services, on the job! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593560902694-BYHLCOPN1ZIMMJYPRF78/07_wasp+nest+in+box+support+pipe.JPG In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps Wasp nest in the hollow pipe supporting a swallow box. These girls will fight for their nest! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593561282143-40HS4KHDVB6OKHU5LM2C/wasp+and+larva_02+copy.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps Wasp with small, grey larva, the thing sticking up from the leaf just to the right of the wasp. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1593560673560-DYTI28H2OAEEDTN2959B/08_wasp+nest+in+grasses+copy.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Day of the Wasps Wasp nest seen in the grass just off the road, about three feet off the ground. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/in-coyotes-garden/2020/6/15/dreaming monthly 0.5 2020-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592263414253-BBT9XLDRAEXCPOQVXF3O/mantis+with+fly.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics Fly in hand means a full belly. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592263777490-D4MXSBVGZ9IIOLCU3IMU/CoyotesGarden+Pic.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592262626005-B4UKMY1WEL92TQECZZ9R/nymph+on+squash+leaf.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics Mantis nymph on a squash leaf - seems like a high risk location but this wee one has been making a go of it for the last week now. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592258075464-YLSF87T0D3EQN1WMVPEL/Mantis+and+bumble+bee.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics If this young mantis, called a nymph, was an adult, he or she would likely take on this large native bee for a meal. Erin Hauge Correction: This is a female Carpenter bee, Xylocopa californica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592262903735-WW3U6H0T9SYQHY8S7LA0/Nymph+and+bachelor+button.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics Pretty good camouflage on a bachelor’s button plant. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592263741981-S0WT3BCIDZ5DX5HVTD9B/mantis+on+feeder.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics Mind the feeders! Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592260945228-Z8ARL0A6HOON8FQYU604/tan+mantis+on+iceland+poppy.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics Can you spot the mantis nymph? Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592262044643-B0JO1Y90LE6XGLVGZR4R/IMG_0320.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics Hopeful mantis adult at one of the hummingbird feeders. Erin Hauge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1592262316509-9FPVITJ7L1XMY0JJJBHQ/bee+balm+and+nymph.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Mantis Modus and Some Baby Pics A nymph at the top of a maturing bee balm bloom - the flowers will be pink but right now the tips of the plants are mantis green with confusing hairy fronds that help the nymph blend in. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/in-coyotes-garden/2020/6/4/8g9g48sw58pkjuh4o5sjhgszi1k8tp monthly 0.5 2020-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1591310171568-CA99OXXZM9WLU6ELARPD/Coyote+1+face+only+copy_2.jpg In Coyote's Garden - Putting Some Urban in Coyote’s Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1591309075530-ZDMQLRKOYFVNM5A846SX/Bee+on+Iceland+Poppy In Coyote's Garden - Putting Some Urban in Coyote’s Garden European Honey bee dusting up an Iceland poppy. Erin Hauge https://www.coyotenow.org/read-me daily 0.75 2016-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504723950107-Y9LBDFHEDRG5XZ6QFDEV/Blog+banner+9-2017.jpg Read Me https://www.coyotenow.org/contact daily 0.75 2020-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504825685640-YXCM72GYKYZEJFHTDEI2/Puma+Track.png Contact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55c7759fe4b08b99adbc4b28/1504727856759-RIF94OBBWL6VYYEQ2HXP/Blog+banner+9-2017.jpg Contact https://www.coyotenow.org/projects daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390513704892-X6RLQ8I6CZ7RH14SLT95/tumblr_mjco89cUVY1rkz363o1_1280.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390513762052-20QA8XOF4PAJV9MQ8VIT/tumblr_mlsetsKySj1rkz363o4_1280.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559d784be4b0327502a24afb/1466618891539-4DJLLM6LEXPFYMLTDUVD/JoshuaTree.jpg Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390597386640-3KVLE657DTIG7GJ4AQE2/tumblr_mjdttrQLOJ1rkz363o7_1280.jpg Projects https://www.coyotenow.org/partners daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390409437321-Q9EZYDA52XWMFWJIQRU6/logo-2.jpg Partners https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390409437266-8DADKO4VSI8O9JEYQ58I/logo-4.jpg Partners https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390409437284-U9500QOC95REDBT90G9L/logo-1.jpg Partners https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390409437242-8SZY5F04GD012C425QZ6/logo-3.jpg Partners https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390505394162-W51WFS0M8F9TXWY7LPDY/chambers-10.jpg Partners https://www.coyotenow.org/take-action daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1390597413198-XUEB2J3138YBEXDCIMC0/tumblr_migjb4LxOB1rkz363o2_1280.jpg Take Action