Wednesday, January 16, 2008

January 16, 2008

I saw marks on the snow the other day but didn't have the camera with me. Then I saw more of them today and got some pix. Can you guess what this is?
tracks in the snow

How about from this angle? Don't forget, you can click on the photo and make it larger at Flickr.
tracks in the snow
They are tunnels made by rodents! The extended mark in the upper part of the second picture is the roof of a tunnel made by the creature who popped out of the snow and went back under a foot later. It is risky being out on top of the snow - birds can pick off little voles who linger too long.
tracks in the snow
I'm not quite sure how the vole got from the obvious hole on the right to the tracks beside it, unless he was jet-propelled and flew through the air a little.
tracks in the snow
I'm not really sure in what direction this vole was travelling. Does he drag through the snow as he leaps forward or as he lands?
tracks in the snow
I think those are dog tracks going through the middle. On the right is the roof of a tunnel. And tracking through it are the distinct prints of some bold rodent who managed to not drag through the snow at all. Did he have long legs? Fun stuff.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool! I didn't know about the rodent trails.

JuliaR said...

Oh this old world is a wonderful place. And rodents come in an amazing variety.

Granny J said...

If there ever was a great excuse for snow, these pictures are it! Fascinating.

Furkids in Hong Kong™ said...

I am so ashamed that I only now realized you had this blog. I always thought puppy walking was your only one! -_-" Sorry I did not pay attention earlier!

Though I really detest cold temperatures, I do envy your snow. Any chance you know of any place that is warm, yet snows at the same time? :p

We'll be back! And so happy we are able to see your world again.

JuliaR said...

Granny J, although I am more than ready for Spring by the time it arrives in oh, say MAY, snow is indeed interesting.

Furkids, not to worry - I just started this blog a couple of months ago. My most popular blog though is my sewing blog, in terms of hits. If you want snow and warm temps, you could go to the mountains in the southwest U.S. (check out Granny J's blog above!) and then you would be able to go up the mountains for snow and come back down when you are done and have warmth. I think it works that way in parts of California too.

RealGrouchy said...

If you look at your footprints as you walk in the snow, you'll see a trail left by your toe as you move it forward. As you walk, your foot falls more vertically than it lifts.

I hope that helps you figure out which direction the rodent was going.

- RG>