Animal Notes

December 29: We are well into winter animal mode.  The usual birds include the gray and stellar jays, chickadees, occasional Pine Grossbeaks, Rosy Finches along with other wanderers.  Animals include the fox, some porcupines, weasels, and others.  The hare population, if going by the number of tracks, seems to be up a bit this winter after a good 5 years of low populations.  --As i skied down the hill into Gothic this morning the fox took off after me and continued to 'stalk' me right up ti when i neared the office building.  Strange behavior, though it has happened once or twice before.