Though I am in Ukiah California as I write this, half way between San Francisco and Arcata, where I am headed for the Godwitt Days birding festival, I will drop back to last Saturday’s photo-prowl for a visit with our local wildlife. There is a little shallow pond that is formed where the rail-road tracks cross a marsh about a mile from our house, It is a good spot for migrant birds in spring. I often catch warblers there that I see no where else around Kennebunk. As it happens, Saturday was too early for any warbler action (though I did see two snipe) but I was surprised to find a pair of Muskrats in the pond. Visible Muskrats that is. I have always assumed they must live there as I see other signs, though no big nest. I suspect the pond has so much vegetation that the Muskrats don’t have to store much for the winter, or that their “lodge” is at the back of the pond where I can’t see it through the small trees and brush.

Seeing them right out in open water was a real treat!

My daughter said they were cute…until I showed her a picture on-line that showed the tail. 🙂 The tail is kind of creepy…but a great appendage for a semi-aquatic rat!

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.  1) and 4) at 1680mm equivalent (840 optical plus 2x digital tel-extender function). f5.8 @ 1/200th. 1) ISO 100 and 4) ISO 160. 2) 24mm equivalent. f4 @ 1/1000th @ ISO 100. 3) 840mm equivalent. f5.8 @ 1/250th @ ISO 125.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.