These were taken in a roadside ditch somewhere north of Barstow, California. The mud cracks made me stop. While photographing, I came across the tracks in the above image. After finding the dead mouse in the lower image, I assume the tracks are from a mouse who chose a better crossing point.
Nature’s way of refining the gene pool, I guess.
Any feedback is appreciated.
1/250 sec. @ f/8.0, ISO 100
Beautifully delineated tracks, Chris, and I love the way the shadows of the leaves frame them. The framing works very well.
This image caught my eye this morning. The Tone and the Lines. The little tracks. Way to Cool.
@Dennis_Plank @Gill_Vanderlip Thank you very much for your comments.
Chris, I think the tracks belong to a different species of rodent. The set up of the tracks (two tiny front feet first, then the two large rear feat) and the location of the tail drag indicate that this was a “jumping rodent”, possibly a Kangaroo Rat. The dead one has a short tail so it wouldn’t use it tail for support while walking or running. The big dark cracks in the first photo add some interesting texture. Clearly the area where you see the tracks was wetter when the track maker went through and hadn’t dried to the cracking stage when you came along. Did this critter leave its antlers behand (right of the track start)… 
@Mark_Seaver Ha, ha…it does look like antlers. Maybe a miniature jackalope.
Late to the party, but I did want to say that this is great - so well seen!
Thanks, Bonnie.
The picture tells a story, I like that very much.
@kathrin Thank you.
