You may not see every animal, but you can often find signs of its passing. After fresh snowfall, even a short walk around the house becomes interesting: where did these prints come from, where do they lead, and was the animal walking or bounding?
Look closely rather than walk far
Compare the shape and size of prints, the spaces between them and the pattern of the whole trail. Several prints reveal more than a single one. Photograph an interesting find with an object for scale, then look it up together back in the warm house. Wind, thawing and fresh snow can alter tracks, so some will remain uncertain.
A small discovery walk for families
Children can look for different tracks without committing to a long hike. Soft shorelines and sandy paths can also reveal prints in summer. Watch from a distance and do not follow animals to their resting places. The pleasure is in noticing more of the life around the Mökki, even when the animals remain out of sight.
