People in snowy climates are lucky in one regard – they can see great animal tracks after snowfalls. Here in So. California I need to drive a half hour up to the mountains. The last two times I’ve seen some interesting tracks in the snow. On yesterday’s hike to a favorite area of mine (Jenks Lake off Hwy 38 -San Bernardino National Forest, close to Big Bear) I got to see coyotes stalking, of all things, ducks on the lake.
I knew something was up as I approached the lake since a mallard was honking loudly. Two coyotes ran off when they saw me, but the third didn’t run off until I rounded the lake near it. Could there be ducks nesting so early on the shore; otherwise wouldn’t they would just fly away? Anyway, what’s good is I saw the coyotes run up the slope so I could take photos of their tracks. Mr. Mallard stopped honking once the third one left.
Jeremy
Pretty cool! I was just visiting Jenks Lake this morning.
Linda Richards
It really is a favorite hike of mine, especially before the road opens up in the spring (closes in late fall) – I have the place to myself many times.
persephone
but how do you distinguish between coyote and fox? they are both perfect steppers — each hind foot stepping in the front paw print. i saw tracks like this at NIU, and my first thought was — fox. but i have seen a coyote on campus. but i also have seen foxes in DeKalb.
Linda Richards
I don’t really know but this seems a good website – looks like a fox will be 2 inches or less, while a coyote larger than that, but they sure seem similar and have tracks in a single track. Have fun…. we have a lot of foxes and I’m sure you do too….