Humans aren’t the only species of animals that enjoy state parks. Park staff will occasionally find clues of what animals may live there, such as scat, a chewed branch, or a feather. But we don’t always get to watch out for wildlife to stroll on by, especially in remote parts of parks. The best tool for this job is a game camera. Park staff use these camera traps to ‘capture’ these animals in a safe, respectful way. 

Park educators from across New York have put together a snapshot of what we’ve discovered. Now, you too can witness and enjoy some of our favorite remarkable wildlife encounters taking place here at our parks when humans are not present.

Foxes at Clay Pit Ponds Park Preserve, Staten Island

Two red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are playing on ice in a remote wetland, away from the main trail system at Clay Pit Ponds Park Preserve. Red foxes live in family groups, so these two are most likely siblings.

Bobcat at Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor

This bobcat (Lynx rufus) may look similar to a house cat, but it certainly is not! Bobcats are very elusive and have excellent camouflage. If you’ve walked in the woods, they are likely to see you before you see them!

Fishers at Peter’s Kill Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson

Fishers (Pekania pennanti), sometimes called fisher cats, are not actually cats, nor do they fish. Fishers are one of the main predators of porcupines. This fisher was particularly curious about the game camera.

Barred Owls and Mallard Ducks at John Boyd Thacher State Park, Voorheesville

Wintertime hunting can be a tricky task; this barred owl (Strix varia) tried to hunt a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) with no success! This lucky duck got away with its life. Barred owls only hunt bigger prey when there is not much around to eat.

Deer and Heron at Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton

Whited-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and great blue heron (Ardea herodias) are the stars of this video. The pair are foraging for their meals together but eating different things. White-tailed deer are herbivores, so the deer is eating plants while the great blue heron hunts for fish, insects, amphibians, and reptiles.

Raccoons at Point Au Roche State Park, Plattsburgh

This raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a curious creature. The education team at Point Au Roche had a troop of Girl Scouts test various bird feeders to see what was the most popular. This raccoon decided that a stale bagel covered in peanut butter and bird seed was its favorite. 

Eastern Coyote, Wellesley Island State Park, Fineview

This Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans) is very curious about the camera. Coyotes are fairly social creatures, living in family units, also have adapted to live in suburban and urban areas. They may look like a German Shepard but are about half their weight.

River Otters at Jennings Pond at Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca

River otters (Lontra canadensis) are an elusive species. It is such a treat to see three of them just running through the frame. River otters normally live in family units, so these three are most likely siblings.

— Written by Becca Howe-Parisio, Environmental Educator, Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

Special thanks to all the educators who contributed photos and videos: Nicholas Martin (Minnewaska), Zach Smith (Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska), Savannah Wilson (Grafton Lakes), Audrey Litto (Clay Pit Ponds), Bridget Foley (Wellesley Island), Kristin Collins (Point Au Roche), Valerie Lewis (Thacher), and Carlin Shew (Buttermilk Falls).