fan print in the snow

 

fan print in the snow –

a bird landing with tail spread

leaves its signature

Walking to the mailbox, I notice a clear set of turkey tracks at the T intersection and stop to have a look. It doesn't take a tracker to figure out that three turkeys walked side by side through the thin snow on the road. Then I notice what looks like a fan print made by the tail of some bird with tiny feet. The bird must have landed with spread tail then daintily stepped away. These beautiful imprints, framed by wide tire tracks and big boot tracks, remain untouched by passing traffic. At first I think I’ll take some photos tomorrow, but then, knowing how quickly the weather changes around here, I walk back and grab my camera. Sure enough, the next day the prints have faded away.