We call
it “The Running Log”, but it’s actually a fallen tree suspended several feet
above an old logging road that climbs a hillside. Fallen trees and logs are
frequently used by wildlife since they can be a bridge across a stream, offer
an elevated viewpoint, are easier travel than pushing through vegetation or they're a place
to leave a scent mark.
If you
look at some of the earlier posts on In Forest
and Field you’ll see that fallen trees and logs are great places to put a
camera trap and to capture photographs or videos of a wide variety of
wildlife. This summer a camera trap was watching the running log to take videos
of mammals and birds that used the log and some that just passed by. Here are
the first month’s results –
And the
second month’s –
The camera trap was moved closer to the log at the end of the second month. Here are the
third month’s videos –
It was
surprising to see how frequently the weasel used the log since I seldom catch
them on a camera trap and have personally seen them even less often. Only two
of the videos of the long-tailed weasel in the third month's were taken on the same day.
The
raccoons and the weasel repeatedly scent-marked the log in the last video; is
there something about the change of season that causes them to scent mark
more frequently, staking out a territory for winter perhaps?
Thank you so much for sharing these here...animals I would have had little or no likelihood of seeing (except on nature shows!) Great to see them all.
ReplyDeleteSo cool to believe that all this activity is happening around a log most of us would walk past a thousand times and never think twice about. Also neat to see that it's not just a single use for one type animal, everyone is coming in. Great set of videos!
ReplyDeleteThat bear was not interested in walking the log. The others find it to be quite the highway.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteGreat captures and critter videos. It is neat seeing the weasel. Nice collection of critters. Thank you for sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend.
You really do see so much there on the fallen log! WOW! Great videos as always! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen a weasel...how interesting!
ReplyDelete