Learning about a completely different region was a big attraction when we decided to move from California. And it’s been a great thing; the discoveries keep coming. Regarding that quote “…learn as if you were to live forever,” you don’t need to Learn Big Stuff every single day. My next example may not be earth-shattering, but it’s still fun.
Anyway. Last summer I spotted and captured (with my camera) a muskrat for the first time, near my house at Goose Creek. I didn’t know what it was at the time. At first I thought it might be a beaver, but the tail was all wrong. Then after seeing the images and doing a web search, I thought it could be a nutria, which is a large, aquatic, invasive rodent, native to South America. There was a website where they asked people to report sightings so I sent them an image. But they positively ID’ed the thing as a muskrat (they look very similar).
Outside of hearing the song I’d never thought about muskrats even once. Not ever. Had you? Heck, I didn’t know for certain that they existed. So it was sorta cool to discover that they are real, and I’d seen one.
Occasionally I’ll discover another one along the same stretch of water, or possibly it’s the same critter. Recently and for the first time, I found one swimming in the middle of the creek, as opposed to the edge of the river bank. So I stopped and photographed, and discovered that this one likes to go clamming. Wait, what? I’d thought they were herbivores. And generally they are, but not exclusively. Once again I learned something new.
He was a nice, cooperative fellow (or she was), eventually swimming straight towards me to consume a couple of them, and then wash off. Following is the sequence.
Congratulations. If you’ve made it this far now you, too, have experienced a few minutes in the life of a muskrat.
Still learning, we are.
Until next time,
Limited Edition Prints for Sale
Another channel of my photography. Oof. But as promised, I’ve got this new set of Limited Edition prints available for purchase. Any unsold African wildlife images from last fall, as promised, have been retired from circulation.
Each edition consists of ten Numbered Prints and two Artists Prints, 16x24” silver halide, with certificate of authentication. As before, these are limited both by number and duration of the offer. If you’d like one or more for that special person, don’t hesitate. You wouldn't want to become he who is lost!
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Beautiful photos, Donn!
Lovely images! Love the light and the blue of the water.