Busy as a Beaver (even thought he's not!)

I spotted this little muskrat in the creek this morning.

They have poor eyesight so I was able to film him from the creek bank

as he went about his business.

Looks like he's taking some snacks back to his burrow.

Hard Working Mom

Mom muskrat was busy gathering grass

while the youngster was playing upstream.

Workin' For a Livin'

I noticed something odd the other day while hiking.

See that floating clump of vegetation?

Its a muskrat carrying food downstream to its den.

 

It dives underwater to get to its den.

 There she is, popping up from underwater.

She's keeping busy.

Flood Survivor

The muskrat survived the flood. 

I wonder what he does when the creek rises and runs so swiftly?

Muskrat in Winter

This guy was busily collecting underwater vegetation and diving under the ice to his burrow.

Musty the Muskrat

Since a mink has moved into the area 

I've discovered remains of a muskrat.

I'd feared that the muskrats had all been killed,

but this fellow has escaped danger so far.

He's moved downstream,

hopefully evading the mink.

He swam up under this sycamore trunk,

thinking he was hidden.

Stay safe fella!

Can you Guess?

Can you guess what this is?

I'll give the answer tomorrow.

OK, the answer is....
a muskrat tail as he's diving below the water's surface.

First one I've seen this year.

Mindless Muskrat

I was standing on the bank of the creek, 

when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye.

This was headed right my way.

The misguided muskrat was practically right under my nose.

Suddenly he realized his mistake and he dived for cover.