Otter Tracks on Ice

We had one warm rainy day which melted some of the snow pack over the river, leaving just a thick layer of ice. It revealed these tracks, frozen in time, which belong to a river otter.

When they walk on ice, their tracks can leave an impression that almost looks like something was scooped right out of it. Frozen rivers become a good travel route for otters in the winter. They make paths across them to find good fishing spots.

A few days later, we watched a fox follow the same steps across the ice. Animals often like to share the easiest path so sometimes one set of tracks can turn into a well used animal trail. I wonder how many animals pass through this same spot each winter.