|
|
March 2010 Newsletter |
||
|
PINETOP-LAKESIDE
|
February
TRACKS Meeting:
There were 30 members at the breakfast meeting which was held at
Darbi’s in Pinetop. 2
guests and one new member were introduced.
Following the meeting, about 6 people skied Trail
Care Program: Liz Wise reports on the status of the
trails as follows: “Because of the large amount of snow we've received so far
this winter and because a lot more is predicted, we may not be able to
start trail work as early as usual this spring. The ground is
totally saturated, pools of water are standing everywhere, and I still
have 2' drifts on the north side of the house- all in spite of fairly
warm weather the past two weeks. So, when we do go back to work
probably we will first erect some signs; Lorna has two interpretive
signs, one for Timber Mesa trailhead and the other for Panorama
trailhead, that need to be put up. They are the last item to wrap
up the grant. And also there are some other signs we'll put
up. In addition, the Education
and Events Coordinator: Susie Cassler has been elected to the TRACKS
Board and has accepted the role of Education and Events Coordinator.
If you have suggestions for Susie, please send them to her at casbeck@wmonline.com
Susie is taking over that role as coordinator from Kay Alderton, who has
done a wonderful job of arranging events for TRACKS over the past couple
of years. Susie
has scheduled the first "field trip" for 2010: Saturday, MARCH 27: Gordon Teele Farms/Alpaca Ranch Weather permitting, meet at the KMart parking lot in
Show Low at 930am and carpool to the ranch in Pinedale. Go west on Hwy 260, turn north on Pinedale Road
(mile marker 327), go 2 miles, turn right on Capps Ranch Road, continue
to Capps Meadow Road and turn right. Follow signs to Gordon Teele
Farms. As soon as possible, please rsvp to Susie so that
she can let them know how many are coming. casbeck@wmonline.com
or 928-532-8141
Tips
on Wildlife Watching:
Knowing more about where to look, how to look and what you are looking
for in a given environment can greatly enhance your wildlife watching
experience. People often miss animals that are very near because they
are not thinking about looking for wildlife. To begin to see more
wildlife, you need to focus on looking for it using all of your senses.
Where
to Look: Think
like wildlife Look to the edge How
to Look:
The key to both finding and watching wildlife is “quiet, but active
viewing.” Use ththe following techniques:
RrRelax and make yourself
small and unassuming. MMove slowly in a
consistent fashion and make frequent stops. DDon’t stare! Most
animals see this as a threat. WWear muted colors and
fabrics that don’t ‘rustle’ when you move. U Use the lay of the
land: hills, drainages and gullies provide cover, while skylines leave
you easily SpSpotted. Use
light to your advantage: stand or sit with the sun behind you to stay in
the shadows. TaWalk softly
only if you must.
S Scan the landscape with
“soft eyes” to see the landscape versus focusing on details. LoLook at a distance,
then in the foreground and baback. U Use peripheral vision
to pick up movement.
MMagnify and focus your vision.
Optics allow you to wwatch from a distance with less risk to humans or
and animals. Even if you don’t see wildlife, use yoyour optics to scan
suitable habitat and you may catch a glimpse of an animal. What
to Look For
LoLook for parts of an
animal, such as its head, tail, ear, wing, or antler. NoNotice things out of
place, such as strange shapes, or contrasts between colors, patterns and
tetextures. FoFocus on lines that do
not match the surroundings, such as horizontal lines in a vertical
landscape or or curves among straight lines.
LoLook for color
contrasts against the natural background.
MMotion is the big
giveaway. Look above and below you to catch a glimpse of something
walking, flying, fefeeding or scratching.
LoLook for signs that
give you clues about what animals live there. Watch for tracks, trails,
nests, drdroppings, tunnels, food remains, webs, gnawed wood or dams. When
to Look
DaDawn and dusk are often
the most active times for the majority of wildlife species. SoSome wildlife is active
in daylight hours. Other species are only out at night. NoNocturnal or night-time
wildlife tends to be more active during full moon periods.
SoSome wildlife appears
only during certain seasons, such as when they are migrating. Some sleep
ththrough the winter cold or the summer heat. MMating seasons make
wildlife easier to find because they are more active and often
preoccupied with mmating rituals.
WWildlife is often active
in poor weather, although most will seek cover during really bad
weather. MMany animals become
lively again just after the inclement weather breaks. WiWildlife is typically
less active in the heat of the day. Before
you go D Don’t use perfumes,
personal care products with fragrance or other unnatural scents when you
go to to observe wildlife. WWear muted,
natural-colored clothing. This will help you blend in with the
environment. The further yoyou go into the wilderness, the more
important this is. DrDress in clothing that
is quiet when you move. Rustling windbreakers, nylon knapsacks,
rattling pl plastic bags and clanking
canteens decrease your chances of seeing wildlife. Animals in parks and
rerefuges are more accustomed to seeing people and cars and may let you
get closer, even if you wear peperfume, glittery jewelry, etc., but
generally animals in the wild will slip away before you get a chchance
to see them. FoFor more information,
go to the AZ Fish and Game Website: hthttp://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/watchableWildlife/WatchableWildlifeTips.shtml
Notes
from the President:
As
one of the many TRACKS people who volunteered to judge and proctor
at the event, I would like to thank the students who competed, their
teachers and the event organizers. We should be very proud of our young
people who spend many extra hours studying and preparing for the event.
To me, they are clearly competitive with others around
|
Click Rainbow
|
|
