Saturday, March 28, 2009

Camera Critters # 51

Camera Critters by Misty Dawn, go here to see who's participating. The next post is a special week for my friend Misty as Camera Critters reaches one year. I would like to congrauate her on keeping this going for the full year. The Meme's are a lot of work and it takes much dedication.

I continue to heal from my heart operation and try to visit as much as possible.

Today I was again trying to get the best Mallard Duck reflection that I could. I must have a duck compulsion because each time I see them on my walks along the little Fishcreek stream I have to stop and shoot.
This day was a little special as two males were swimming together in close formation. I was standing very still and happily snapping away.
All of a sudden my gaze was averted as something came swimming along my side of the stream.
Do you know what it is? I was shooting through the weeds so I got this fuzzy capture.
There was finally a break in the weeds and I got a good head shot.
The next thing I knew after the few shots it was gone down the stream. Can you tell what just surprised me along the stream? Make sure you check the shape of the tail before you decide. Here's a clue, it's not a beaver but does live in the stream.
I will let you find out if you really don't know. If you look at Camera Critters # 5, you will see one I captured and named last year.

31 comments:

Rhea said...

My first guess would have been a beaver, so I'm glad you said it wasn't. Now I'm stumped though...

Maybe an otter?

LOVE the Mallard photos.

Rose said...

I thought muskrat when you said to look at the tail...and it is! I cannot get a good photo of a mallard for the life of me.

And your comment about the compulsion for taking them...haha I must have OCD for sunsets and sunrises. Never thought of it that way, but it is true.

Susan at Stony River said...

I would have guessed beaver too: wow for those shots!

We have mallards in Ireland but whenever males are together they don't seem friendly toward each other. I like your photo of them together.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Must be a Muskrat.The Mallards look great.
Blessings,Ruth

Adrienne Zwart said...

Great mallard shots. I'd say the little critter is a muskrat. We had one living on our streambank last summer.

Janie said...

Great photos of the mallards and the mystery critter. I guess muskrat, since you've told us it's not a beaver.

Michele said...

Ah... I was thinking muskrat as we have so many of these little fellas over here but then who knows, it could be an otter! =)
I loved your post, it was fun and beautiful!

I hope you are doing well, my friend.
Hugs♥

Tina said...

Gee, FG, maybe there was a second muskrat somewhere..muskrat love!!
Great capture..don't you just love how you are capturing one thing and another pops up to totally surprise you!! Ha ha..love it!

I think we all go crazy with the cameras..but that is why I love digital..take as many as you want.. keep only what you like.

Glad to see you are out and about!

Ken Conger Photography said...

Glad recovery is going well. Nice diversity with this post FG, of ducks and muskrat. Blue Skies.

i beati said...

Beautiful nature Sandy

Jane Hards Photography said...

I wouldn't have a clue, but my guess is something I don't get here. On the otherhand mallards I know so well.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Oh my goodness!! How lucky to see and get picts of that muscrat Tom. Good show!! I love reflection shots.

I was about to ask how you are doing, so thanks for the update.

Dirkjogt said...

If it's not a beaver it must be a muskrat.

Anonymous said...

A muskrat? I've never seen one before! Hmmm
I'm so glad to hear your still healing - That's good news! You take it easy & relax!!!

Happy snapping!

Misty DawnS said...

Great shots! I think it's a muskrat... am I right?

Glad to hear you are recovering well!

P.S. Next week is our one year anniversary - sorry if i was confusing.

Twisted Fencepost said...

At first I thought, beaver. Then you said that's not what it was. So then I guessed, river otter. Then I clicked over and seen muskrat. Maybe they are the same? I don't know. But great shot!

imac said...

Well captured my friend.
Glad you are getting better day by day.

Coy Hill said...

I don't mind you duck compulsion at all Tom, I do believe I have the same disease :)

Lucky you capturing a muskrat; we don’t have a lot of them in my area and with their being primarily a nocturnal critter they don’t offer many photo opportunities.

Carletta said...

"Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam, do the jitter-bug down in Muskratland..." :)
Nice capture FG!

Pietro Brosio said...

Great photos, Fishing Guy. I like the reflections too.

Unknown said...

I like that otter!

Unknown said...

An otter? Love the ducks!

Tipper said...

Great shots of the ducks-and how neat you got an extra surprise to photo!

Dianne said...

beautiful ducks

so glad you continue to feel better and stronger

abb said...

Muskrat? Our mallards are back on our pond. Hope they're deciding this is where they want to raise their brood.

NCmountainwoman said...

Great photos. And so glad things are going well for you.

Anonymous said...

Muskrat, right? Nice capture, and the ducks are lovely!

EcoRover said...

Cute muskrat. Their populations in most places have increased dramatically from the days when schoolboys commonly trapped them for the buck or so their hides brought.

2sweetnsaxy said...

LOL! If it's not a beaver I haven't got a clue what it is. I was going to say muskrat but the truth is I don't really know what a muskrat looks like. :-D

Anonymous said...

My guess would be an otter as well but in any case loved the pics, the first has a lovely look to it.

Judy said...

We have musfrates in the area - I see their houses in the marsh, but it has been a while since I have seen one in the flesh. I know what you mean about the mallards. The dogs think I am crazy, but what do they know?

I love the crocuses in the next post, too! When the sun shines again, I will have six of them blooming. I counted this afternoon!