Research project identifying grizzly bears in Selkirks
Curiosity grew as we followed the flagging to the research site above Cow Creek. Did grizzly bears visit the site during the last month or…
Tag: Mammals
Young cougars on the move this time of year
In the recent weeks, several cougars have been spotted in Bonners Ferry. Normally cougars are secretive and shy away from humans. However, in the fall…
Pikas make hay a different way
On top of a ridge in the Selkirks, I noticed a quick movement among the rocks. At first I thought it was a golden-mantled ground…
Columbian ground squirrels hibernate early
Standing bolt upright on a prominent rock, a Columbian ground squirrel chirps every now and then as I watch from Shorty Peak lookout. The chirps…
Be prepared for a bear encounter or attack
Seeing bear tracks in the trail provides a heads-up that a bear is in the area. However, surprise encounters can happen if the bear can’t…
Learn to recognize bear sign
Seeing grizzly bear tracks in the snow on the trail always heightens my awareness, especially relatively fresh tracks where the claw marks can still be…
Bushy-tailed woodrats more commonly known as packrats
After crossing one of the bridges on the Copper Creek Falls trail this spring, I came across a small dead animal that I didn’t recognize.…
Mink: the semiaquatic weasel
When I see a small mammal swimming in the water, there are only a few choices– at least I thought. One animal had me stumped.…
Whiskers a sixth sense for mammals
How do seals hunt in murky water? How do cats prowl on moonless nights without bumping into everything? They can’t extend their legs like we…
Can you imagine having more than two eyes?
Most familiar to us are animals with two eyes. But some animals have more than two eyes–a spider has eight eyes, a lizard three eyes…
When camouflage doesn’t work
While out hiking last week, we spotted this snowshoe hare. With a lack of snow at lower elevations, the snowshoe hare’s white pelage didn’t provide…
Bobcats: Often all you see are tracks
Snowshoeing near McArthur Lake, I crossed the usual coyote, snowshoe hare and small rodent tracks in the fresh snow. Then as I slowed to navigate…
Young cougars on the move this time of year
In the recent weeks, several cougars have been spotted in Bonners Ferry. Normally cougars are secretive and shy away from humans. However, in the fall…
Pikas make hay a different way
On top of a ridge in the Selkirks, I noticed a quick movement among the rocks. At first I thought it was a golden-mantled ground…
Columbian ground squirrels hibernate early
Standing bolt upright on a prominent rock, a Columbian ground squirrel chirps every now and then as I watch from Shorty Peak lookout. The chirps…
Be prepared for a bear encounter or attack
Seeing bear tracks in the trail provides a heads-up that a bear is in the area. However, surprise encounters can happen if the bear can’t…
Learn to recognize bear sign
Seeing grizzly bear tracks in the snow on the trail always heightens my awareness, especially relatively fresh tracks where the claw marks can still be…
Bushy-tailed woodrats more commonly known as packrats
After crossing one of the bridges on the Copper Creek Falls trail this spring, I came across a small dead animal that I didn’t recognize.…
Mink: the semiaquatic weasel
When I see a small mammal swimming in the water, there are only a few choices– at least I thought. One animal had me stumped.…
Whiskers a sixth sense for mammals
How do seals hunt in murky water? How do cats prowl on moonless nights without bumping into everything? They can’t extend their legs like we…
Can you imagine having more than two eyes?
Most familiar to us are animals with two eyes. But some animals have more than two eyes–a spider has eight eyes, a lizard three eyes…
When camouflage doesn’t work
While out hiking last week, we spotted this snowshoe hare. With a lack of snow at lower elevations, the snowshoe hare’s white pelage didn’t provide…
Bobcats: Often all you see are tracks
Snowshoeing near McArthur Lake, I crossed the usual coyote, snowshoe hare and small rodent tracks in the fresh snow. Then as I slowed to navigate…