Vulture Stretch

New Project 4 from Peter Abdu on Vimeo.

A quick video of a vulture stretching before taking off. It's easy to forget how large their wingspan is, as they are so often soaring far overhead. I was hoping for a coyote pack here but struck out after 2 weeks of filming. I was testing my video unit here while figuring out the final bugs and now it's on to some serious filming. This is yet another example of wildlife that is seemingly predictable and just when you think you have them figured out, something changes. Maybe thats what I enjoy most about wildlife, one way or another, it's always a surprise.

A Beaver under the Ice

I'm moving towards the video world for the best method of capturing animal ecology and thought I would release a few clips from the first night my camera was deployed. While the final system is relatively simple, it's taken hundreds of hours of research, experimenting, and building to get to this point. I still have a bit of work to do to get this system exactly how I want it, but I finally have built the technology that will allow me to film wildlife, day or night, and record it at the highest possible quality. This beaver walks right over the microphone while dragging food back under the ice:

Beaver1 from Peter Abdu on Vimeo.

Despite all activity occurring at night, this beaver was completely relaxed and even curious.

Beaver2 from Peter Abdu on Vimeo.

How much we miss

        I was working out of Cape Cod for the last week and on a whim decided to throw a camera out. Not 15 minutes after the camera was set this coyote showed up. I'm sure he was well aware of my presence and was likely watching me during my walk. I would have had no idea without this camera. Simply amazing to consider how many wildlife interactions are missed while we tromp around in the woods.

The Red Fox

     A fox stopped by to check out the activity at this scratch post (normally reserved for bobcats). Besides squirrels and bobcats, this was one of the few animals to check out this set. Foxes often show up at many of my sets with surprising abundance. It's hard to say if my frequency of fox pictures is the result of a high density of foxes, species characteristics such as large home ranges, simple curiosity, or the desire to capitalize on a free meal. One thing is for sure: foxes, both grey and red, cover a large geographic range and are extremely successful in a variety of habitats.

Canadian Lynx Kittens in N.H.

      This photo, one of a series, was taken in late November of 2012 is among the first to show not just Canadian lynx in New Hampshire, but a population of breeding Canadian lynx. A breeding population is vastly more important to biologists then a single animal or animals passing through.
       These kittens represent the future for lynx in N.H. Had this camera not been set, it is likely these lynx would have never been observed. It's a testament to a cat that is among other things, extraordinarily stealthy. Note the large size of the tracks in the snow, one characteristic that sets lynx tracks apart from it's relative the bobcat. There's a wonderful article in the N.H. Wildlife Journal, written by Nancy Skarmeas with the help of a very knowledgable biologist named Will Staats. It can be found HERE. Special thanks to Luke Barbour and Cameron Ehle, who helped setup/retrieve these cameras.

         Long overdue for a post so I'll do a couple in rapid succession. Sometimes the animals I photograph are located across the U.S. This one came from the back door of the house-one the best places. I was surprised at how relaxed this owl was, allowing me to get close enough to use the flash. I took a few shots and left him alone to hunt.

Bird print on the snow

        Yesterday I discovered the perfect imprint from a bird landing into the snow. I imagined an owl flying low over the snow that swooped down to grab a mouse, but as random truth pointed out, it does look grouse like.