by Chris Thompson and Griffin Bray
With the winter chill setting in, it seems like our furry creatures may be hunkering down a bit. The last couple of weeks have been a little slow in terms of critters on the Friends of Schmeeckle – trail cameras. Cottontail rabbits and Whitetail deer seem to be hanging around in and enjoying the property, but our resident bobcat has been a no-show since the heavier snow landed a couple weeks ago, and the numbers of pictures has dramatically decreased. Can’t wait to see what spring will bring!
Cottontail rabbit in Moses Creek Meadows in early January
Buck in Moses Creek Meadows in late December
Buck in Moses Creek Meadows in early January
Whitetailed deer in Moses Creek Meadows in late December
There’s a North American porcupine that has been hanging around the Reserve the past few weeks. The porcupette (young porcupine) has been hanging out south of the Zimmerman Prairie and visiting the Northern pin oaks and young white pine trees in the new prairie expansion/oak openings area whenever it wants a snack.
Porcupine visiting a white pine tree in Schmeeckle Reserve in December (courtesy of Kaila Thompson)
Porcupine in a pin oak in Schmeeckle Reserve in December (courtesy of Griffin Bray)
Porcupine in den in Schmeeckle Reserve in January (courtesy of Griffin Bray)