CreekWalk: Raccoonville

The fresh snow made for a difficult and disappointing trip to the trail cams today, cameras I'd left undisturbed for 4 days. Turned out, the wildlife had barely disturbed the cameras either, though the below-zero temps may have had a lot to do with that.

First up, a final video from Amy's Crossing. I've seen squirrels stand like this many times but never a raccoon.

From the other camera, about 50 yards upstream, a few still photos. The streaks in the 2nd one are from falling snowflakes, and notice the temps in pics 3 and 4.

After swapping memory cards today, I climbed up a steep hill with one of the cameras to a shallow cave-like structure. Here's a look down from the cave, followed by a shot of the camera I left there. I'll go back in a few days to see if there are any visitors to share with you. If nothing else, you'll get to see what the camera sees from that spot.

CreekWalk: Amy's Crossing

Earlier in the Fall, this spot was a deer highway, but that was certainly not the case in the last 48 hours. Probably my fault, as setting 2 cameras right in the crossing likely spooked the deer. Here's a look at the spot during the day, and then a couple of short after-dark videos.

Stay with the next one. The raccoon leaves the frame but returns a few seconds later.

Meanwhile, the still camera was pointed at a downed tree just upstream from the crossing. Different spot, same visitors. Notice the dark area in the upper middle of the first photo. That's a small cave half-way up a steep hillside, and the next time I move the cameras, I'll take one up to the cave.

CreekWalk: The Log Jam

Although the creek is small, it can really get roaring at times after heavy rain, pushing trees and logs downstream with the current. Today's stop is at a spot where a lot of wooden debris got hung up after one of the last floods. I placed the still-photo cam near the bigger pile and just for curiosity sake, left an opened can of cat food in the middle of it. (Sorry, Luggage.)  As you can see, the first visitor took the can (it's under the big log in the 2nd photo) and left.

I pointed the other camera toward a gnarly bit of wood just to the left of the main jam. There were lots of squirrel videos during the day, and I've included two of them, but first a nighttime visitor.

The first squirrel knows there's more food to be had and just needs to find right angle of approach. The second squirrel - let's just call him Twitchy ;)

3 More Stops on the Loop

I should mention that the Loop is roughly a quarter-mile around, very similar in size and shape as the track around your high school's football field. Inside the Loop is a jungle of vines and pines, but over the years we've maintained what I call the cut-acrosses. Each one lets you go from the low side of the loop to the high side. When fitness walking, taking each cut-cross when you come to one adds variety and distance to each trip around the loop. Here's a look at the first of them.

Next is simply another of those spots I always drop some feed when walking by. I didn't quite have the camera aimed right to cover the ground, so all you get are a couple of tree shots. I found 5 cardinals in the first photo. Can you find them all?

Finally, the camera that started on the high side of Loop has now rounded the back bend and is headed for home. While the deer photo is not very clear, it does show that Unicorn has not shed his other antler yet!

Upper Route, Section 30, part 2

I guess I didn't move this camera the last time I swapped memory cards, so here are more visitors to the same spot where the 'rainbow' appeared the other day. One new bird to add the list - the dove.

Upper Route, Section #25

This cam is now sitting at the bottom of the steep hill and I must say that I like today's camera placement. You never know for sure what photos will look like when you move the camera from spot to spot. It's just a shame there weren't more and better photos from the spot.

Upper End, Section #15

While these aren't the most exciting pictures, at least they show something - which has been rare this week. The rock-like thing near the rabbit is a chunk of mineral block that's been traveling the path with this camera.  After I moved the camera today, it is now facing the highest point of the path. We'll continue to move along the path for another week or so at this altitude before the path drops steeply. There are some huge oak trees in this area and I expect to see lots of deer pics before we leave the top of the hill.

Upper End, Section #13

First, an update: Today I received a phone call from a Wildlife Research Biologist at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. After confirming their belief with an expert in Pennsylvania, ODNR has identified the mystery animal from last week as a Fisher. Fishers are believed to be quite rare in Ohio though there was a confirmed sighting recently in Meigs County, the county directly south of Athens County. The road I live on (Old US Highway 33) runs right into Meigs County. They've asked that I share any new photos if the thing returns.

Today we're back to the upper camera, mostly because when I went to the lower one yesterday, I forgot to take a memory card with me. Certainly no mystery critters today.

Upper End, Section #12

No rabbits or squirrels today - I deleted all those pictures. You get a couple of deer photos, one of Mama Raccoon and child, and then we add another animal to the list of the Critters of the Path.

That darn Smoke Monster!

Lower End, Section #10

Well, the pattern continues for another day. Lots of action at the camera on top of the ridge while virtually nothing at this one. Today you see the lowest (in elevation) spot on the entire path. About 50' to the left of these shots is Luggage Beach and the creek. Over the next week this camera will move through a transition from mixed hardwood and pine trees to a purely pine section of forest. I sure hope the action at this camera increases soon!

Lower End, Section #8

One more straight stretch beyond the downed tree and then a short steep drop to the creek. I'm really hoping that the closer we get to the water, the more critters we see. Certainly wasn't the case today...chipmunk, raccoon and a rabbit.

What the heck. While I have your attention, how about some Pick-Me-Up-Monday music?  The instructions are simple: 1) Click HERE to start video. 2) Change to full-screen view. 3) Crank up the volume. 4) Enjoy! (Just give it 2.5 minutes and I'll BET you play the other 5!)

Lower End, Section #3

Today's posting could be subtitled 'It's too hot to eat during the daytime.' I guess 90 degrees in September slows the forest creatures down during the daytime just like it does us. You do get to see before-and-after shots of the leaf-blowing.

Is that a rabbit? The tail doesn't seem right to me.

I didn't even notice the second critter until posting this.

Find the Squirrel