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Algonquin Winter Tracking Algonquin Winter Tracking Expedition 2006 | 
    
      | Monday (Day 2) | 
    
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					|  | The group gathered before 
					heading off into the bush for the day. There were seven of 
					us plus our two leaders, Dan and Alexis. |  | 
    
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					|  | We didn't need snowshoes at 
					first, as we headed along a trail that had been packed down 
					before us. The forest could only be described as a "winter 
					wonderland" of snow-draped evergreens! |  | 
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					|  | We stopped to examine a nice 
					set of Red Fox tracks along the trail. They were already 
					filling in with the falling snow. |  | 
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					|  | This photo gives you an idea 
					of how deep the snow was! There's at least three feet of 
					snow piled up on this fallen tree. The actual depth of the 
					snow of the ground was about four feet! |  | 
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					|  | We stopped for lunch around a 
					nice campfire. It wasn't very cold this week, but a fire 
					outdoors in the winter is always welcome! |  | 
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					|  | Ruffed Grouse tracks. The 
					trail and track pattern gives this away - if you are 
					familiar with Ruffed Grouse tracks in snow, that is. 
					Ruffed Grouse have feet that are almost webbed. They have 
					special ridges that extend outwards along each claw, that 
					help them stay on top of the snow. One technique that is used to help identify tracks that 
					have been covered by falling snow is to blow out the track. 
					This doesn't always work, as sometimes you simply end up 
					destroying the track! |  | 
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					|  | Our fearless leader, Dan 
					Gardoqui. Dan is an excellent leader and teacher, readily 
					passing on his extensive tracking and nature knowledge to 
					us. |  | 
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					|  | Coming out of the forest into 
					an open area by a frozen creek. |  | 
    
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					|  | Snowing heavily... beautiful. |  | 
    
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					|  | Heading back... We didn't 
					spot a lot of tracks today, due to the freshly fallen and 
					falling snow. |  | 
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					|  | Snow stopped ... sun declining 
					towards sunset. This evening we were treated to another 
					very informative presentation by Dan. Sorry, not a lot of 
					photos of tracks ... as I mentioned, there weren't a whole 
					lot of tracks present this year. |  | 
    
    
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