Focusing on the Muskrat
I posted one photo of the muskrat and someone commented that it looked like a beaver-i thought so too when I first saw it because it was big.It is not actually a rat but is a rodent in the same family as lemmings and voles. People have traditionally trapped the muskrat for its fur. They can grow to be two feet long including their rat-like tail. There were a pair of them at the pond and they were swimming back and forth. At one point this one came out of the water to munch on fresh shoots, keeping some distance but obviously enjoying its snack to be too concerned with me.
I realise this does not belong to the rat family and a good thing.Did you know that the province of Alberta has zero tolerance for rats and people actually shoot them at the border, although once in a while there is an outbreak, such as last year when someone let a few loose.in southern Alberta and quick action was taken to get rid of them.
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A Gallery of this Year’s “Firsts”
As I got out of my car two days ago I spotted my first Robin for the year. My camera was in the trunk so I quickly retrieved it and got a shot of this harbinger of spring – lucky for me it was thirsty and didn’t immediately fly away.
Yesterday I went to a pond in the north east part of the city that photographer friends had told me had a few varieties of birds. and there was no ice here.Here are some of my “firsts” for this year. I was happy to see this pair of Common Mergansers . I love how they move through the water with strength and grace.
Also I spotted a pair of Buffleheads but got no decent shots of them. I did,however, see a single Common Loon.
I enjoyed seeing the display of a pair of Red-Necked Grebes. I spotted six pair at this pond.
The one held this pose for some seconds then they mostly faced each other but a while later I caught the gesture of one with a mouthful of grass -an invitation to nest?
There was a pair of muskrats here, not at all shy. I noticed that when they would swim in close proximity to the geese, literally right in front of them, there was no reaction.
The muskrat, geese and gulls were all I could get close to. Although I found this very interesting, at least one other was bored by it all or lulled into sleepiness by the first warm day we have had.
My Heartsong 