In ancient times, when solar eclipses were “explained” by the capture of our luminary by a monster, eyewitnesses found

In ancient times, when solar eclipses were “explained” by the capture of our luminary by a monster, eyewitnesses found confirmation of this in the fact that during a partial eclipse they observed light reflections under the trees, in the forest, “resembling the shape of claws.” How can such a phenomenon be scientifically explained?

During a partial eclipse, the Sun is observed as a bright crescent. The spaces between the leaves are small holes. They, working like holes in a camera obscura, give multiple images of sickles on Earth, which can be easily mistaken for claws.