STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Forget Punxsutawney Phil.

A sure sign that winter is on its way out is not Pennsylvania’s meteorologically revered groundhog but the final ERC Winter Tracking Workshop with Ann Christensen.

Christensen, who has studied under revered tracker James Halfpenny, will stage her last tracking workshop of the season from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15.

Christensen will start the program at the ERC Office at 471 Washington Avenue in Ketchum where she will introduce participants to the local furry residents and describe their winter adaptations.

Did you know, for instance, that playful otters—often seen along the Big Wood River—leave prints two to four inches wide and slide marks where they sled on their bellies down hills saving precious energy. Seems they like tobogganing as much as boys and girls!

Participants will then head outside on a snowshoe tracking adventure through the fields and woods north of Ketchum.

Novice and experienced trackers of all ages are welcome to participate.

There is a suggested donation of $10 for ERC members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is encouraged at 208-726-4333 or alisa@ercsv.org.