Motion Camera Fun

Reconyx camera set up

As part of the artificial nest project, we get to set up Reconyx cameras.  They are motion sensing cameras we use to monitor for predators.  One of the crew members on the other project, sets up similar cameras on real bird nests.  However, the cameras do capture some entertaining moments, other than predators eating our eggs. Since I will not be sharing pictures of real nests or predation events on our fake nests, I think it is safe to share some of the candid animal shots we have captured.

Me standing in front of the camera on the day we "laid" the nests.
Yes, we put camo duct tape on that cooler.
Why? I still ask myself that question...

When we first set up the nests, there were a ton of caribou, and we were pretty sure we would lose a few of the nests to trampling. Looking at some of these pictures, you would expect that some of them had been, but not a single nest was trampled. Maybe the caribou are a little more aware of where they are stepping than I give them credit for.

Grazing.

Super close. Still don't understand how he did not trample that nest. 

More grazing. 

I think this one notices the camera.

I like how this one is a bit distorted as he runs past the camera.

We had foxes visit some of these nests, yet they didn't discover and eat the eggs. They did pose cutely for the camera though!

Arctic fox running by the camera. 

Red fox snubbing its nose at the camera. 

Dramatic animals! Dramatically cute that is!

Goose face! 

Dramatic Arctic ground squirrel

We are checking these nests tomorrow, so we may get some more interesting pictures!

I realized I forgot to include a nest picture in my last two posts, so I am using this post to include it. Lapland Longspurs are pretty much the only songbird (passerine) that nests on the tundra. They are really quite numerous, but their nests are fairly difficult to find. This one I just happened upon when checking our artificial nests.

Fluffy little Longspur nestlings and 1 egg yet to hatch! 

In other news, finally saw a grizzly bear cub! We missed these two, I at least assume that they are the same bears, when they were right outside our camp last week.

Do bears shit in the woods? Well, I know they shit on the tundra!
Yes, I am immature for finding this endlessly funny. 

Majestic creatures.