A Glimpse of Nature -- What's Left Behind

Snow is forecast for tonight. As with other recent storms, temperatures will be mild and the flakes will mix with rain. If we get lucky, by Sunday morning some of the snow will survive long enough to preserve animal tracks from the previous night. Not too dry, not too warm, not too deep . . . if things are just right, the neighborhood will reveal activities that are normally invisible to us diurnal humans.

As preparation for your foray, take a moment to review the tracks of these familiar suburban animals. This practice will focus your attention once you get outdoors.

Then, remember to scout for signs in the morning before the snow melts and the prints become disfigured. Share your images through the library’s Facebook page or by emailing A Glimpse of Nature. Check back next week to learn some tips on identifying tracks and how they reveal animal behavior.

Your choices are dog, turkey, deer, raccoon, and squirrel. And, there’s a bonus question!

Track #1