Morning Fox Tracks

Another perfect morning in Deerwood Forest.

Human tracks to the left, ski tracks to the right,
and fox tracks in the middle.

Coyote Tracks?

These running prints in sets of four were blurred by
the deep snow. This makes positive identification difficult.
At least for me it does.

For the last three weeks or so, I've seen some unfamiliar tracks along the Deerwood Trails. I think they might be coyote tracks. Here's the coyote wiki.

They seem bigger than fox and smaller than wolf. It would be a loner, whatever it is. Not deer. I know that.

Right now, for me it's a toss up between a coyote and a fox. Dog? The neighbour's dog passed away a month ago. There are no dogs nearby. These are fresh tracks.

Here's a description of tracks (source)...

Coyote Tracks - The coyote track closely resembles that of a dog or fox although the coyote tends to follow a straight path across open areas where the others will wander or follow aspects of the landscape. The print is a rough oval shape with four toes bearing claw prints. The larger front foot has a much larger pad than the smaller rear foot.

Straddle: 10.5 - 15 cm (4.2 - 6 in)
Stride: 30 - 40 cm (12 - 16 in)
Track: 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long / 5.5 cm (2.2 in) wide

Red Fox Tracks - The trail of the red fox generally follows fencelines and the edges of forests and fields in a straight line but this line may vary depending on the animals speed and gait. The print is usually smaller, longer and narrower than that of a dogs. The front print is wider and larger than the pointed hind print. The heel pad is an inverted V-shape with a unique calloused ridge across the center of the pad.

Straddle: 8 - 10.5 cm (3.2 - 4.2 in)
Stride: 30 - 40 cm (12 - 16 in)
Track: 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long / 5 cm (2 in) wide

Squirrel Perch

Clearing brush today, I saw a red squirrel perched on a regal balcony formed by the precarious splintered end of a fallen hemlock.

Can you see the squirrel up there?



Chewing on something.



Then I'm spotted...

And the squirrel books.