A Beaver In February (2)

While shooting Common Goldeneye on one of the few parts of the Ottawa River that isn't frozen over I saw two beavers in the water. A short time later this one came out of the water with a gnawed stick and started grooming itself on this patch of ice. Not a scene I am used to but thankful for the view and opportunity.

note: a third shot attached below

second note: a fourth shot attached on page 2

Excellent Gary, I've only seen them a couple of times in my life, and have never photographed them. That beaver sure looks plump. Nice detail in the coat, well done!

Wow! Great captures!

He looks cold.

I thought for a moment you meant to post in G&N

Great clarity, loverly shots

That has to be a fairly young one. A mature will go 30# plus with a rare few getting around 60#. Great capture. Rick

PS The more I look at this one, are you sure he had a flat tail? The tail seems way to small for a beaver. It appears more the size of a muskrat to me. Muskrats are much more active during the day where as beavers are late evening and morning workers. Also, a beaver tail can be as long as 18" by 12" wide. When they slap the water with their tails as warnings to other beavers, it sounds like a blooming tree falling in. These are fantastic shots. Very clear.

Yeah nice rare find. I love the second shot.

Likwid wrote in post #9699961
He looks cold.

I thought for a moment you meant to post in G&N

I wondered if anyone would make that connection and I didn't have to wait long it seems

Thanks Res and I can assure you this is indeed a beaver...my best guess would be around 40lbs. A second one did slap the water and this one quickly got into the river. I thought they were going to meet but the one doing the slapping instead took this one's place and brought its own stick to chew on. I am attaching another shot here in a larger format and I think you will be able to see the flat tale clearly as well as the teeth. They do have a similar look to muskrat and its hard to gage the size in the photos so I understand your wondering if I got the ID right. Here is that other shot.

And a big thanks to Steve, and Momtothefurmonsters as well as Likwid. Lord Brian and Chris for looking and commenting

lol

Amazing shots, #3 is my favourite and so sharp too.

Great shots, well done.

Very nice,,,love the bev....Ron

All 3 shots are very good, but that 3rd one is super. Looks like he needs to switch his diet to white birch instead of the current yellow pine.

Very nice Gary. Where these taken on my side of town or yours.

Whoa, quite the chompers there! Great shots!
Karen