Today is Boxing Day, a HINO (holiday in name only) for most of my fellow Americans who more than likely simply consider today to be the day after Unboxing Day (aka Christmas). And, while neither Boxing Day nor Unboxing Day are holidays associated with nostalgia, I’ve opted to challenge custom with a fisher flashback to December 26, 2021. Yes, three years ago on Boxing Day, this fierce mustelid was documented during a midnight (plus 36 minutes) crossing of Library Brook.
Now, you might well wonder what in the world black and white photographs of a fisher (Pekania pennanti, aka “fisher cat”) from one of our wildlife cameras has to do with a primarily British holiday of somewhat confused and confusing provenance. Except for the calendar coincidence, altogether nothing.
But there is reason to my rhyme. Or, rhyme to my reason. When these photograph floated into focus today I realized that I had shared them on Instagram with a fisher haiku three days after the images were captured. But I never followed up with a blog post. Three years later, I’m catching up. Better late than never!
Part of the weasel family (Mustelidae), these native neighbors enjoy dining on wild hares and they’re one of the few predators in our forests who successfully hunt and eat porcupines. (Source: Fisher)
Although we’ve been fortunate, documenting fishers with discrete wildlife cameras, it’s actually pretty rare to lay eyes on these stealthy weasel family hunters. They’re not uncommon along the Adirondack Coast, just elusive. Fortunately our rewilding efforts have created a wildlife sanctuary thriving with elusive neighbors!
Library Brook, especially when less than 100% frozen, offers, inviting habitat for fishers, bobcats, coyotes, and many other native neighbors.
Fisher Haiku
Ferocious fisher: plush parka, snug ursine mug, wolverine talons.
Those talents are impressive! If you’d like to see the original Instagram post with the uncropped wildlife camera photos, here it is.
Happy Boxing Day!
What do you think?