Tracks – Thomas J. Spence Images

It’s been a fun start to the winter season. I guess the official start of winter hasn’t arrived yet, but we have been living it for weeks in the Northland. It’s here. I’ll share some recent photos of some lynx, grouse and even a moose and a snowshoe hare. You may still have a little time to order up a calendar for a Holiday Christmas gift, so I’ll include the link here. Thank you for all the orders this year.

A cow moose with a healthy looking winter coat

Mrs. Moose looking out from a logging area. Note the yellow USFS “Payment Unit” sign on the tree. This marks a logging boundary. Moose love the young, new browse that comes up in these logged areas. It’s a favorite hangout for the moose.

Peek-a-boo The moose can almost disappear when it wants too!

The Canada lynx has been cooperative for pictures already this season. I really only see these cats with any regularity in months with snow on the ground. They favor the snowshoe hare, and I have found them hunting for their hare on roadways quite often. I think the long view and room to maneuver make roadways a favorable hunting terrain for the lynx. I was fortunate to encounter a lynx recently. It was fun to watch it stalk red squirrels and rest along the forest edge. It was quite curious and afforded me a few fun photos.

A Canada Lynx watches the forest for movement. Always on the hunt for snowshoe hare and red squirrel.

Lynx Tracks in Superior National Forest – Minnesota

The snowshoe hare in winter camo mode. The hare is the primary food source of the Canada lynx.
December 2022

Relaxing under a pine, yet always alert and listening…

The PAWS and the strides of the slinky Canada Lynx – Minnesota !

A Canada lynx in late summer coat for comparison.

An August coat on a Canada lynx. A noticeable difference between the seasons.

Relaxing after a morning meal. I’ve noticed on more than one occasion that the lynx will lie down and take it easy for a while right after eating. Probably saving up for the next chase.

A group of spruce grouse on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness – The lynx may occasionally dine on grouse in winter.

Sneaking through Superior National Forest – Note the giant back paw!

Thank you all for taking a look! You can order prints and browse more photos on my site at this link. Have a great Christmas and Holiday Season and we’ll chat again soon!
Tom