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.

Coyote and deer come for a drink

        This camera got "wacked" pretty early on by a bull moose during the rut, so the camera angle isn't perfect for the coyote shot. This camera was only correctly positioned for a week before a moose changed the angle, and three days later it dealt the camera a final blow, knocking it to the ground. When I returned to the camera it was still working ~4 months later, although all the pictures were close up shots of moss and ferns once it was knocked down. I'm sure the camera angle isn't something a little photoshop couldn't fix, but I enjoy presenting photographs of nature as they are-without being touched up.

     During the rut the moose tend to knock any small and un-assuming stick down that stands near their path. Whether it's out of curiosity of anger, they target the sticks I use for holding up my cameras like it's their job. Have I learned my lesson? Nope. I'm always after the perfect shot, and as it so often happens, there isn't a tree in the middle of an animal path for the perfect angle so I will continue using large sticks to hold cameras, I'll just have to be a little more picky during the rut. 

All Puffed Up

This spruce grouse was all puffed up when this photo was taken in mid November in Pittsburg N.H. I think it was as cold as we were when the cameras were checked later that day.

Fisher pauses to smell and look

This fisher (Martes pennanti) paused in front of the camera to observe a visual attractor above the camera and to leave his calling card. Even some of the smallest mammals show a curiosity in things such as a visual attractor that they know don't belong in the woods.

Snowshoe Hare changing color with the season

A photo series showing the transition of snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) from brown coat (summer) to a white coat (winter) over a period of weeks in Northern N.H. As expected, showshoe hare are very prevalent in certain locations but in all my time in the woods I hardly see them.