Winter impressions

Don't you find it amazing that patterns can be made with the lack or presence of something. These images were taken around our yard as the 50 degree temperature took it's toll on the winter landscape. My best guess to explain the patterns in the first picture is water that melted from snow and ice washed away other snow like a river as it flowes to a lower area of the yard. As I was making my way around the pond I flushed three partridge. I wandered over where they were hanging out and found their tracks weaving through the snow that was left.