Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Mystery

Last week I noticed something strange on the driver's side front door of my car.  A paw-print.  Actually two paw prints.  One was very clear, while the other was smudged as if whatever had made the mark was scrambling or slipping a bit.  It was rather large.  Too large to be a stray cat.  It was large enough to make me think that whatever made the print was looking into my car window. 

But why?

And what was it?
 
 
 

My first thought was feline.  The pads are more round than oval, in particular the centre pad.  There is also no evidence of a claw register.  Now, a claw register likely wouldn't show up on a print left on a car, but the complete absence of one made me think cat.  The reason why the claw register is important is this: a cat retracts its claws when walking, therefore leaving no claw impressions.  A canine doesn't, and the claw registers in a print.

A visit with my granddad confirmed my suspicions.  He believes it was a bobcat, too.
 
Now.  Do I really think a bobcat was roaming around by my house and looking in my car?  I don't know.  There is certainly plenty of bobcat habitat around here - but why would one come so close to our house, and what would it want with my car.
 
But was else could it be?
 
In referencing my tracking book (Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign by Paul Rezendes), I concluded that by the size of the prints, it could be one of three things: the aforementioned bobcat, a large fox or a domestic dog.  The prints measured 2 1/4 inches by 2 1/4 inches. 
 

 
 
 
 
We have plenty of fox, and they do come close to the house, so it certainly could be that.  There aren't many dogs around, though, so I'm hesitant to say it was a dog.  There is also the shape of the print to consider.  It is quite round and symmetrical (as evidenced by the measurements!).  Cat prints are typically more rounded than canine, and there is still the issue of no claw register.
 
I suppose I will never know what left the prints on my car that morning, but I will always wonder, and be aware, in particular when I am leaving to go anywhere in the dark!



Thursday, October 25, 2012

From the Weather Book

October 1
- sunny, warm, gorgeous

October 2
- gorgeous



October 3
- rain, sun, cloud


October 6
- sun, rain, cloudy, windy

October 7
- sunny, lovely



October 11
- torrential rain

October 16
- rain, rain, rain

October 17
- lovely fall day


October 18
- wicked rain

October 23
- rain

October 25
- warm, sunny, beautiful

Monday, October 22, 2012

Brand New Day

We've had a few lovely fall days.  Hopefully this is the start of another.






Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Hope

I know this is a recurring theme in my posts, but it's one that I believe in deeply and turn to in times of doubt or uncertainty.



The sun rises every day and we are given a great choice - we can face the day with a positive outlook and a heart full of hope that we will overcome obstacles, both internal and external.  Or, we can dwell on yesterday.  The mistakes we made or the disappointments dealt to us won't fade unless we let them go.



Every day I try hard to make the choice that fills me with happiness.  Choosing to look for the positive makes my heart light.  Sometimes it's a hard choice to make, and it can be almost downright impossible.  But as the sun comes up every morning, I try to take a moment to reflect, and be hopeful for a day full of joys and successes. 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Old Logging Trail

This morning we set out for a hike along the old logging trail behind my in law's  house.
 



The trail was (and still is) used as access to the woodlot, and about twenty years ago was logged commercially.  The ruts you see in this picture were created twenty years ago.



We supplement our oil heat with wood, so the trees back here are of interest to us.  Rick and his dad cut selectively, only taking trees that have come down on their own, or are old and dying.  There are some very old trees here, some far too large to cut down.






Running parallel to the trail is the small river that connects the beaver ponds.  We were beyond the second beaver pond when I heard water rushing.  I made my way toward the sound and could see farther up where the water opened up into yet another beaver pond.  We didn't go much father than this, but there is still plenty of exploring to do.





Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Break

I didn't mean to take so long between posts, but life happens, and here we are.  It's been busy here on Maple Lake.  Nothing too exciting, just...life.

Anyway- the rain is pouring down this morning, and we are snuggled up inside.  Fall is certainly here.

Here are some recent lake pictures to tide you over until the sun shines again.