**Warning: yet another post about scat.**
We went to my family’s house in the Catskills for the long weekend, and discovered that there had been significant bear activity on the property in the past few days. My father and step-mother installed a wildlife/trail camera (actually they’ve installed two in order to capture activity in different areas of the property) a few months ago, and they got some terrific photos of a black bear visitor last week:
I believe the bear has an ear tag in its left ear – we could see the white bit in other photos; this picture was the clearest.
Saturday morning, my step-mother called me over to look at some scat left behind by our visitor:
Now, I recognize that most people aren’t as fascinated with scat as I am (unless you’re a 10-year-old boy). But scat is such a valuable part of tracking – particularly when the ground substrate isn’t conducive to leaving track impressions. And come on – how cool is this?! Evidence of a bear’s visit!! I know, I’m probably not very convincing, but I think it’s pretty cool. My step-mom observed (laughingly) that most people upon encountering any pile of scat (never mind one this large) would say “Eeew, gross!”, and my first reaction was : “Wow! That’s awesome!” And then to take a picture of it.
My family – parents, spouse and children – are all resigned to the weirdness that having a naturalist in the family brings.
You need a scat-related category on your blog. 🙂 I have to say, you do get me looking at nature in a different way. Who knew you could learn so much from a pile of scat!
Ok, scat category coming up! 😉 Glad to hear I’ve got you thinking differently about scat! Or at least nature…
Hi-I’m completely with you about scat. The educational value of it cannot be overestimated. Plus, the information it provides about habitat, populations and all the rest is just great! Thanks for the post!
Diane Tucker
Hill-Stead Nature Blog
Thanks, Diane! It’s always nice to know you’re not alone!
I am getting more interested in the scat as you talk about it… I wondered if you have been following the Wildlife Research Institute..the folks who had the black bear den cam…one of their collared bears was shot recently and killed after going after a bird feeder. This female has been forced out of her territory by a more dominant female and they were concerned because someone was feeder her and that kept her there…they are so upset about it as everyone knows about the bear study…Michelle
I hadn’t heard about the bear incident you mentioned. What a shame that one of their studied bears had to be shot! I’m sure they’re quite upset. I’ll have to stop by their site and check out the news – thanks for sharing.
Great pictures – and a good giggle to go with them!! 🙂
Thanks!