Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Animal Wednesday - wildlife!

On Saturday we went kayaking. Gorgeous day, beautiful paddling, quiet river.  We got to the park later than usual and by the time we were paddling back, we were the only ones on the river.  It was quiet and peaceful, red-winged blackbirds singing and flying, water bugs skittling around - just lovely and peaceful.

Then I heard a loud splash and the Mr pointed out where a beaver had dove under the water after giving the tail thump alarm.  Luckily he or she must have been young and inexperienced because when it swam away it stayed right below the surface so I could follow it across to the other bank where (apparently) dinner was waiting.   I was cursing the lack of my decent camera - and my iphone is having trouble holding a charge - but I turned it on and got great shots of the beaver munching on dinner.   My boat just drifted closer and closer but the beaver didn't seem to worry and just ignored me.








When I lifted my paddle to back up - the beaver did the tail thump on the water, dove and swam away.   I'd never seen the tail thump before and it was a real thrill!

The shot below is one of the many beaver homes that we see along this river - this is a REALLY big one, and has been there for years.


The universe amazes me.  I remember a few weeks ago feeling very blue about not seeing interesting animals and how boring my Animal Wednesdays were becoming...since then I've seen goats on the bike trail, a hawk on the lawn and now a beaver having a snack.

Happy Animal Wednesday!!!  And Happy 4th of July!!

(note: my iphone was dead by the next day and couldn't be resurrected even after two trips to the apple store. RIP old iphone; hello replacement! )

9 comments:

Barbara/myth maker said...

What great pictures, Mim. Sounds like it was such a wonderful time.

Lynn Cohen said...

Thump thump~! Great find and who found whom? LOL Happy 4th~

Lynn Cohen said...

Thump thump~! Great find and who found whom? LOL Happy 4th~

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What fun watching a beaver so close. You have had the best AWs lately. HAW and Happy 4th of July.

Robin said...

Lynn said it all perfectly - and TWICE! A-ha-ha! A-ha-ha!

Wonderful post! I have never heard a Beaver Tail thumping! How cool!

A fantastic AW post!!! Love that little Beaver face....

Happy 4th to you and your DH!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

What a great few shots. Your poor phone decided to do last Hurrah before biting the dust so to speak. :))At first I thought it was a hippo then I really saw it. lol HAW and to many more fun sightings. :)

~Babs said...

I've never seen one of these guys so close-up before, Thump!

RIP old phone,,,,,you done good!

marianne said...

Amazing shots! What a thrill!
I have never seen a bever in real.
That kayak tip must have been so good!!!!!
HAW and happy 4th of July ♥

Baino said...

Wow the things you see. Love the idea of kayaking on quiet lakes, must give it a crack one of these days and hope I don't paddle round in circles