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
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/newsclips/shea_070302.jpg)
(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/newsclips/shea1_070302.jpg)
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]