I hope this shows up, I tried earlier. I first posted shrew dancing, but then came the track size. I wish I knew how deep the snow is in the photo. I now think it is vole dancing!
First thought was crow, but up close they look more like paw prints than bird tracks. 1/2″ print is too small for crow anyway, and big for mouse/vole etc. Other than that, I’m stumped. Ermine??
Perhaps a vole (I see the tail marks) communicating it’s own sense of the timing of spring’s arrival for those who traditionally look to groundhogs on 2/2 ? I look forward to seeing the April Fools’ Day post !
A short-tailed weasel looking for something tasty that’s under the snow eating the leftover corn…? I am puzzled by what looks to be alternating footprints… Can’t wait for the answer!
Hi Mary- I’m checking to see if I can reach you via this email. I have a question for you regarding a squirrel nesting inside a tree in my backyard. -Donna Ward
On Mon, Feb 1, 2021 at 7:57 AM Naturally Curious with Mary Holland wrote:
> Mary Holland posted: ” The circles are roughly a foot in diameter, the > tracks approximately 1/2″. ” >
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I tried to post “crow” but it wouldn’t let me post for some reason!
Sharon
>
February 1, 2021 at 7:59 am
Meadow Vole
February 1, 2021 at 8:08 am
I hope this shows up, I tried earlier. I first posted shrew dancing, but then came the track size. I wish I knew how deep the snow is in the photo. I now think it is vole dancing!
February 1, 2021 at 8:08 am
Fox?
February 1, 2021 at 8:08 am
First thought was crow, but up close they look more like paw prints than bird tracks. 1/2″ print is too small for crow anyway, and big for mouse/vole etc. Other than that, I’m stumped. Ermine??
February 1, 2021 at 8:19 am
I think it’s a vole!
February 1, 2021 at 8:29 am
A vole searching for food or falling off the wagon?
February 1, 2021 at 8:39 am
My brain goes to bipedal or quadruped? Then there is size…. hmmm. I see the corn stalks for size… I am going to say a small weasel.
February 1, 2021 at 8:50 am
No idea, but it is a charming sight!
February 1, 2021 at 8:53 am
Vole trying to avoid an attack by a predator (owl or hawk)
February 1, 2021 at 9:09 am
Fantastic observation! American Crow?
February 1, 2021 at 9:21 am
I told my little grandchildren (who have many of your wonderful books) that i think it’s a Spiral-Going Goon. I’m sure they’ll disabuse me of that!
February 1, 2021 at 9:22 am
I was thinking a crow, as well….I have no idea what this animal is doing, walking in circles…Mary must be chuckling!
February 1, 2021 at 9:28 am
Did some one make a design of crumbs to find their way home?
February 1, 2021 at 9:39 am
A mouse with a long tail.
February 1, 2021 at 9:54 am
Something with alternating stride, but I have no idea what! What a cool thing to find!
February 1, 2021 at 10:08 am
Perhaps a vole (I see the tail marks) communicating it’s own sense of the timing of spring’s arrival for those who traditionally look to groundhogs on 2/2 ? I look forward to seeing the April Fools’ Day post !
February 1, 2021 at 10:15 am
A vole with a brain parasite? A stroke? Too many fermented grapes? The post has ME running around in circles! What a very fun find!
February 1, 2021 at 10:23 am
Whatever it is, it is obviously drunk.
February 1, 2021 at 10:51 am
Hahaha! The elephant in the room… I was thinking the same thing. Fermented corn?
February 1, 2021 at 10:57 am
Can I throw my hat into the ring again, I had also meant to say in my last entry was something totally different…. Is this a Ruffed Grouse?
February 1, 2021 at 10:52 am
Ermine
February 1, 2021 at 12:30 pm
I’ll guess mink. In all my days outdoors I have not seen anything like these circles
February 1, 2021 at 1:27 pm
I believe it is an ermine as the track pattern and behavior looks “ermine” like and is most likely looking for voles.
February 1, 2021 at 2:40 pm
Tracks of a diseased rodent
February 1, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Aliens, of course. Winter’s version of crop circles.
February 1, 2021 at 3:10 pm
someone who has spent too much time covid house bound!
February 1, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Vole?
February 1, 2021 at 4:20 pm
A field mouse?
Betsy
February 1, 2021 at 4:24 pm
Weasel.
February 1, 2021 at 5:01 pm
a pheasant displaying its finery
February 1, 2021 at 6:17 pm
Haven’t a clue!!!!!! LoveKay
Sent from my iPhone
>
February 1, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Medium size bird with 1/2 inch track Blue jay or Morning Dove
February 1, 2021 at 7:25 pm
walking rather than hopping
February 3, 2021 at 12:44 pm
A short-tailed weasel looking for something tasty that’s under the snow eating the leftover corn…? I am puzzled by what looks to be alternating footprints… Can’t wait for the answer!
February 1, 2021 at 8:56 pm
A piece of cornstalk eddying in the wind??
February 1, 2021 at 9:46 pm
looks to be a two legged critter left right left. Looking for corn.
February 2, 2021 at 12:36 pm
Seeing the case being made for a two-legged critter, I amend my guess to “drunken gnome.” 😃
February 2, 2021 at 1:22 pm
Hi Mary- I’m checking to see if I can reach you via this email. I have a question for you regarding a squirrel nesting inside a tree in my backyard. -Donna Ward
On Mon, Feb 1, 2021 at 7:57 AM Naturally Curious with Mary Holland wrote:
> Mary Holland posted: ” The circles are roughly a foot in diameter, the > tracks approximately 1/2″. ” >
February 2, 2021 at 9:20 pm
Before reading others’ responses, I’m going to go with vole.
February 3, 2021 at 7:19 pm
Or bird
February 3, 2021 at 7:19 pm
Now I wonder if the tracks could possibly come from BELOW the snow?
February 3, 2021 at 9:15 pm