Oko Wikcemna Topa ake Sakowin

Monday, Jan 16 to Sunday, Jan 22, 2012: high 45, low -6

This is just one of many fascinating patterns “etched” into the dead wood of a tree branch that apparently fell and is now leaning up against that tree’s trunk. The patterns are nearly symmetrical, but not quite. Seems like they were made after the branch fell. Am wondering if the patterns are under the dead bark? Or are created after the bark falls off? Or  do they cause the bark to fall as they are being created? This branch is located up the main draw south of the plum bushes.