Field Arts Workshop: Animal Tracking 101 for Field Notebooks
Join me for a free online workshop on the basics of animal tracking—and different ways to add them to your field notebooks and nature journals. I’ve spent 30 years tracking wildlife and teaching tracking for conservation groups, and my husband Jonathan Hanson and I wrote the Basic Essential Guide to Animal Tracking.
Learn how to quickly tell canine from feline tracks, domestic dogs from wild, different gait patterns, and how to “read” a track story.
I’ll also show how to use my clear Perspex Palette-Easel ) to trace a track, and a template for making your own unique track ruler, as well as a free Quick Tracking Tips card.
Length: 2 hours
Resources from the Workshop
Perspex palette with dry erase:
Downloads (Tracking Tips Bookmark and Tracking Ruler):
field guides:
“Basic Illustrated Animal Tracks” by Roseann and Jonathan Hanson https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Illustrated-Animal-Tracks/dp/1493017179
The two best deep-dive tracking training books:
Paul Resendez, “Tracking and the Art of Seeing” https://www.amazon.com/Tracking-Art-Seeing-Animal-Tracks/dp/0062735241
and Sue Morse, “Wildlife and Habitats” https://keepingtrack.org/keeping-track-store
Good in depth basic field guides:
“Scats and Tracks of the Desert Southwest” by James C. Halfpenny, illustrations by Todd Telander https://www.amazon.com/Scats-Tracks-Desert-Southwest/dp/1560447869
and
https://www.amazon.com/Mammal-Tracks-Sign-American-Species/dp/0811737748
Recommended in the chat:
Oldie but goodie: Animal Tracks by Olaus J. Murie, Peterson Field Guide Series. Love the line work and clear illustrations.
“Mammal Tracks & Sign” by Mark Elbroch
For kids: John Townsend “Life-Sized Animal Tracks”
Animal Tracks of Alaska by Sheldon and Hartson is a handy little guide to take with you, has info on many different animals including common birds and amphibians.
“Foundations for Awareness, Signcutting and Tracking” - Robert Speiden
John Rhyder’s Animal Tracks Field Guide (stipple drawings of tracks in United Kingdom) https://www.woodcraftschool.co.uk/books
Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints - is another good kids book
Leslie Dendy’s “Tracks, Scats and Signs” (Take Along Guides)
ROSEANN’S DEMO PAGES FROM THE WORKSHOP:
You can find my list of minimalist colors and tips on color mixing here: https://www.exploringoverland.com/field-arts-tutorials-list/2020/7/5/minimalist-watercolor-for-nature-journaling
ROSEANN’S DEMO IMAGES FROM THE WORKSHOP: