LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 33 act: choosing to notice rather than withdraw. Watching an ermine — or failing to see one — is a practice in patience. It requires slowing down, waiting without guarantee. It demands humility, reminding us that most of the world does not exist for our observa- tion or approval. One morning after a light snowfall, I followed tracks pressed cleanly into the crust near a bend in a creek— four small prints, a narrow bound, a faint tail drag. They led into an alder tangle and disappeared. I waited. Nothing emerged. Still, the forest felt altered. As if something precise and alert had passed through, leaving behind a trace not meant to be claimed. Observing and writing about ermines will not resolve political conflict or halt climate change. But they of- fer something quieter and essential: a reason to care whether this place endures at all. As small but influential predators, ermines help reg- ulate rodent populations and reflect the health of the ecosystems they inhabit. Globally, the species is consid- ered of least concern, though regional subspecies vary. Historically, ermines were heavily trapped for their fur and appear in art and symbolism, including Leonar- do da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine. Introduced into ecosystems elsewhere — most notably New Zealand — they caused ecological damage, a reminder of how tightly predator and place must remain connected. Through efforts like Snapshot NY, Ad- irondackers contribute to a growing understanding of the wildlife that shares this region. Watching an ermine is not about collection or conquest. It is about atten- tion — about choosing to notice what persists at the edges. In winter, the smallest tracks can tell the largest sto- ries. And if you are lucky enough to catch that brief white flash crossing a frozen creek, it feels less like discovery than acknowledgment: that this place is still alive, still complex, and still worthy of care. *A Note on the Photographer and Artist Ed Kanze is a naturalist, author, and Adirondack guide with more than thirty years of experience lead- ing walks in wild places. A former National Park Ranger at Acadia National Park and Gulf Islands National Sea- shore, he has also taught field ecology for the Nation- al Audubon Society and served as senior naturalist at Teatown Lake Reservation. His family roots in the Ad- irondacks date to 1795 You can learn about Ed's Wild Wonder Foundation by visiting https://www.wildwon- der.org/ John (Jack) Muir Laws is a leading figure in the glob- al nature journaling movement. A scientist, educator, and author, he helps people build deeper connections with nature through illustrated journals that blend science, art, and mindfulness. Trained as a wildlife biologist and associate of the California Academy of Sciences, Jack emphasizes observation, curiosity, and creative thinking as skills developed through practice and everyday routines. t

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