Capturing Signs Of Spring

We’ve always had a trail camera or two to set out in the bush – not really with any hopes of seeing much for wildlife, but more so just on the slim chance an animal we were interested in during hunting season would wander by. The technology has changed drastically over the years – the photo quality, battery life and compactness have all improved greatly. The collection of cameras has grown over a decade, and we’ve tried many different brands. From fancy cellular cameras down to the cheapest of the cheap that I then sent a mail in rebate for, the lineup has varied each season.

It’s only been within the past couple of years that I feel we’ve found the sweet spot between an affordable camera that comes with good-quality images and video. No cellular capabilities, but checking the cameras is a good excuse to get off your butt and spend some time outside. Having a few more cameras floating around has me feeling like I get to watch my very own (low budget) National Geographic show and, particularly in the spring time, I look forward to what will show up on camera.

Of course, the hunter in me has an album of footage on my phone, of mule deer bucks, bull moose and elk, all of which get me excited for hunting season, but what I’ve come to truly anticipate is the arrival of all the baby animals in the spring. Last spring, I watched a wobbly newborn calf moose go teetering after its mom, and they then proceeded to wander by nearly every day for several weeks. And though I wish to never bump into a sow bear and her cubs while out in the bush, it makes me smile to see the tiny rollie pollie cubs go tumbling along a trail while trying to keep up with their mom. And speaking of bears, I cringe a lot less at the thought of a curious bear chomping on a $50 camera versus some of the more expensive ones we’ve bought in the past.

 

It’s not just the changes in the animals you see through the season, but the changing of the natural environment too. If I haven’t made it out to a camera for several weeks or a month, I can’t help but exclaim my surprise as to how much has changed since the last time we hiked out there. One camera, although not very successful at catching much game on it, caught the changing of the seasons – from heavy snow pack to a bare landscape, and now finally a lush green forest. All the signs of spring, arriving at our doorstep.