Nature in Winter At home in a snow-clad landscape BY SANDRA STRIEBY
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inter brings new ways to understand the natural world. Plants and animals use a variety of approaches to survive the season, some of which reveal themselves when we spend time outside. Observing nature in winter can give us a richer understanding of the world in which we live and how other beings have adapted to it. ANIMAL S ON THE MOVE Animal tracks in snow are one of the delights of the winter landscape, showing travel patterns and providing clues to behavior and lifestyle. From the delicate tracings of mice and kangaroo rats to the deeply entrenched trails created by deer, tracks give us insights into the lives of animals we may never see. Tiny mammal tracks often radiate from the base of a shrub—the animals’ entry point into the world beneath the snow, where they find food, shelter, and some safety from predators. Living under the snow isn’t entirely secure— owls and coyotes may plunge through to reach animals below, and ermine will use the same openings as the mice and other small creatures to enter the hidden dwellings. Coyotes leave tracks much like those of domesticated dogs, with subtle differences that reveal the animals’ wild nature. Coyotes are working animals, unlikely to frolic as pets do. They may meander as they seek prey, but generally their paths are purposeful. And, because they are on their feet much more than domestic dogs, coyotes are fit. Their tracks are generally compact ovals, whereas less-active dogs often leave behind imprints of splayed toes and long claws. Quail spend a lot of time on the ground, often in large groups that create well-defined pathways as they trek between sheltered food sources. Ravens and crows may reveal their passage by leaving marks like those of a calligrapher’s brush where their wings have swept the snow. And grouse leave some of the most dramatic records of their presence, plunging into the snow for a night’s shelter and then bursting out in the morning, leaving behind an imprint and a heap of droppings that look like stove pellets. Often tracks are more visible than their makers. While many of us may never spot a bobcat, cougar, ermine, or moose, we may be fortunate enough to see where they’ve been and know that they are present in the world around us. To identify tracks, take a look at the Methow Naturalist’s guide to mammal tracks (https://tinyurl.com/6s8y29cw). Field guides will help you learn more about the animals and their behavior.
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Photo by Steve Mitchell
Methow Valley News
