Any wildlife experts out there? A story in the snow.

[timmypreston]

I think this is a fascinating imprint in the snow.

I wasn't sure what it could have been at the time but took a snap anyway.


Story in the snow by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

I have just been studying it again and think I have come up with an explanation.

This was taken a few feet from the waters edge by a lake.

Central in the image I think are tiny paw prints which are just visible, these were coming from a bush about 8 feet from the water and looked as if they were heading to the waters edge.

The two deeper scar lines were about 8" long starting just before the bottom of the photo and finishing just outside the top. The two fanned imprints (wings?) were about 2 feet away from the waters edge.

The little paw print prints do not continue out of the deep scars (talons?), they stop.

Is this a predatory attack by a bird of prey landing on a small mammal?

Or am I trying too hard to make sense of something?

[David M]

Re: Any wildlife experts out there? A story in the snow.

I think you've worked out the answer although it could have been an owl species at night.

[timmypreston]

Re: Any wildlife experts out there? A story in the snow.

I never thought of an owl, that would make more sense as the wing imprints were only small.

Thanks David