Hi All,
David Shea ran across an interesting sight and had his camera with him. He took a couple of photos and sent them in to Sharon Meyer at WCAX Channel 3. Below is what happened:
Sharon:
My son and I were out taking a walk in our woods and saw and interesting sight. A small creature had taken some steps and they abruptly stopped without a point of retreat. Upon further inspection we noticed that a bird or maybe owl had landed to snatch the critter for dinner. Thought you and some of your viewers might enjoy this photo. It is a good reminder that all sorts of creatures are very active in the winter if even though we might not always see them.
My 5 year old son asked me if the bird or owl killed the small creature? I told him that in the wild that is how some creatures survive for food.
David Shea
Fairfax, VT
Sharon Meyer is very good about responding and this is the response that Dave got:
I was interested in your photo, so I forwarded it to one of our bird experts for his opinion, ….he thinks this is probably a ruffled grouse, and your son will be happy to know it probably was not a prey situation! Phew! This is Bryan’s email below…. Thanks for the photo! Sharon
No, I don't think it's a prey situation. It's looking as if this is only a grouse walking then taking off. The prints are probably from the down-push of the wings before liftoff. And the tracks look like grouse tracks to me. Not mouse tracks or some other small critter that would have been prey. -B[/b]
