Red Fox and Cottontail
It is terribly ironic that just hours after my colleague, Audubon Connecticut Director of Bird Conservation Patrick Comins, uploaded some lovely cottontail photos to the Audubon Connecticut at Stratford Point page that I found our vixen Red Fox engaged in some hunting early this morning. I felt some eyes on me as I surveyed for avian migrants along Prospect Drive, and she was watching me from within our side of the fence. This is nothing abnormal, and the interaction was typical – a little curious stare down at one another before we both continue on. However, she then put her attention...
Read MoreYoung Chipmunk
This adorable little Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) liked me enough to stay on its tree and say hi for a minute before dashing back down underground. Now if this young one would only please remember to stay out of most of these trees and bushes when it grows up because I would rather it choose food other than young birds or eggs from nests each spring. Thanks in advance, pal! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGray Squirrel
This Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was darting around like the summer had ended and fall was upon us again last week. After such a warm February and March, compared to long-term averages, the chilly start to April and freezing temperatures – not to mention snow – had plenty of animals scurrying back to cold mode. The squirrel was grabbing food and looking at me like, “Shouldn’t you be doing this, too?” as I walked past. Thankfully those days are over because hello, spring! This welcome change in the weather should keep us warm for a while and...
Read MoreBobcat
Here’s a guest post from our friend Tyler Christensen, RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser’s partner in running the Nicoya Peninsula Avian Research Station (NPARS) in Costa Rica and a fellow researcher. Although they are more abundant in neighboring Pennsylvania and New York, Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are endangered in my home state of New Jersey. Lately I have been putting a lot of effort into trying to photograph bobcats in the northern part of the state. To accomplish this, I converted my DSLR cameras into motion-activated camera traps. For weeks this cat avoided my cameras, but nearby...
Read MoreRed Fox
This Red Fox is one of the kits that I enjoyed watching grow up before our eyes last spring. It is not doing so well now, and is probably one of the two that I saw had returned to their natal den at the beginning of the winter when things got tough outside. Both had some mange and looked rather thin. This individual has been hunting and stalking prey, still engaged at feeding regularly and apparently doing enough to keep itself going. While its tail has little to no fur left and it is patchy throughout the body at least the days are getting warmer and the sun is getting stronger. This...
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