November 2021 • Nebraskaland 51
on the bank of the south channel, capturing photos both day
and night.
Few of the photos are perfect. The camera on the water's
edge never made it more than a few days before its lens was
covered with dirty water spots left by otters or raccoons
shaking to dry off as they left the water and headed up the
trail. Or by the same critters leaving wet nose prints.
Most of the photos — there must be thousands — captured
raccoons using the south channel of the Platte as a trail,
wading along the edge in search of food. But this game trail
was often their approach to or from that path.
The deer were likely using this trail to move between
woodlands north and south of the streams. But most of the
species, including the otters, turtles, ducks, mink and other
species, used it to move between the two streams they called
home.
It's not the only trail between these habitats. There are
two other well-worn paths between the two waters. All three
have something in common. They are at the narrowest points
in the territory they share. These critters are smart: No need
to waste energy bushwhacking their way through the forest
when they can take a road.
N
A family of North American river otters walks up a trail leading from the south channel of the Platte River south of Wood River.
Left: A curious raccoon gets an up-close look at a camera trap.
