Unknown critter tracks

[Woodsheal]

The Eastern Mountain Lion is officially 'extinct', though lots of folks have claimed to have spotted individuals in recent years....

[Tartan Hiker]

Without citing my entire pedigree, suffice it to say I know a fair bit about N. Am. mammals.

Pics 2 and 3 are bobcat. They are big, but are definitely within the size range for that species. The only other choice would be Lynx, but they are too small for an adult and while you are in the "historic" range for Lynx, there aren't any recent records from New York.

The running tracks (photo 4) is indeed a rabbit. You thought you were photographing two complete sets, but in fact you got one set and parts of two others. Here's an attempt to illustrate a rabbit in full gallop, moving from right to left. He plants his two front feet side-to-side (the asterisks), swings his rear feet between the front, plants them together (the eights), then pushes off for the next stride.

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Ignore the hyphens...this low-end word processor won't recognize spaces.

[BruceK]

Without citing my entire pedigree, suffice it to say I know a fair bit about N. Am. mammals.

Pics 2 and 3 are bobcat. They are big, but are definitely within the size range for that species. The only other choice would be Lynx, but they are too small for an adult and while you are in the "historic" range for Lynx, there aren't any recent records from New York.

The running tracks (photo 4) is indeed a rabbit. You thought you were photographing two complete sets, but in fact you got one set and parts of two others. Here's an attempt to illustrate a rabbit in full gallop, moving from right to left. He plants his two front feet side-to-side (the asterisks), swings his rear feet between the front, plants them together (the eights), then pushes off for the next stride.

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Ignore the hyphens...this low-end word processor won't recognize spaces.

Thanks for the information! I really had no idea what I was photographing but since I knew it was going to rain today I took pictures of whatever looked interesting or different. Thanks for identifying the tracks. I thought they we some sort of large cat but wasn't sure what kind. I need to figure out how to setup a motion detector to a decent camera.

[Bugbear]

That was just Nighthawk chasing me around lastnight... He bit my paw.

[Tartan Hiker]

I need to figure out how to setup a motion detector to a decent camera.

Get thee to a sporting goods store and get one of the new digital scouting cameras used by hunters to see what and when game is moving. A decent one will set you back $75 - $100, and they're a lot of fun. I have a Moultrie 3 megapixel. It uses a rechargeable 6-volt lantern battery. With two batteries and two SD cards you can have your camera out 24/7. You'll see all kinds of neat stuff.
Some of the newer ones even have an infrared setting so there is no flash to scare the subject.

Here's a shot from my camera. See the wee possum?

[Jerry]

Thanks for the information! I really had no idea what I was photographing but since I knew it was going to rain today I took pictures of whatever looked interesting or different. Thanks for identifying the tracks. I thought they we some sort of large cat but wasn't sure what kind. I need to figure out how to setup a motion detector to a decent camera.

You need to get yourself one of these.

http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/scouti...FQGzGgodJ3Zj3A

I have one that I use for scouting deer, and I've gotten some good shots of coons and foxes at night.

[Yaish]

The last track is definitely rabbit.

The first photo you posted did indeed show claw marks, but they were relatively small. If you look at the tip of each toe you'll see a small hash mark though.

My first guess might be a coyote. Those tracks are actually showing the front and rear foot stepping in the same track. Coyotes do this, domestic dogs tend not to, except for some particular breeds.

[BoldHighlander]

Just got back in & had been wondering if what you found was some sort of big cat chasing a rabbit.
I'm thinking now, with what Tartan Hiker has stated, this is what was going on

[Clockwork John]

...My first guess might be a coyote. Those tracks are actually showing the front and rear foot stepping in the same track. Coyotes do this, domestic dogs tend not to, except for some particular breeds.

Most felines walk that way too.

[Tartan Hiker]

Claws / no claws are not a totally reliable single feature. Its a bobcat.