I followed them down to the creek and to an old tree, but
they went around the tree, over the creek and into the woods.
I walked back and noticed that the tracks were all around the hive and then they meandered around and finally up to the driveway.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Whose Tracks are These?
Last week we had a warmer day in the uppers 40's, so I trudged through the snow to see how the bees were doing. The dead bees, that had been cleaned from the hives, were gone! I then noticed some tracks.
I followed them down to the creek and to an old tree, but
they went around the tree, over the creek and into the woods.
I walked back and noticed that the tracks were all around the hive and then they meandered around and finally up to the driveway.
The tracks belonged to an opossum. They are North American's only marsupial and can bare up to 14 babies with 9 only usually surviving. The babies stay in the pouch for about 10 weeks then climb to the mother's back. Opossums have a prehensile tail and play dead when they feel threatened. I wonder if he'll be back for another winter snack next time the bees clean house.
I followed them down to the creek and to an old tree, but
they went around the tree, over the creek and into the woods.
I walked back and noticed that the tracks were all around the hive and then they meandered around and finally up to the driveway.
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These tracks are really clear- great photos! It's interesting to see what dogs track by smell.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this walk. Somehow the opossum has eluded me down here in Delaware County, and I was looking forward to discovering its prints this winter. Even after long periods of snow, no opossum among the fox, raccoon, deer, bird, & squirrel tracks. So I really enjoyed your post!
ReplyDelete(P.S. Discovered you through NBN.)