I went to pick my car today after it had some work done on it, and since Delta Ponds is right nearby, I stopped there for a few photos. I walked as far along the trail as my gimpy hip would allow and turned back. Walking with a cane and carrying the camera with long lens was a challenge, but I managed to get some nice colors along the ponds. Also I got a close up shot of an invasive inhabitant of the ponds too, a NUTRIA! It was right beside the path and he didn't seem bothered that I stopped for a few photos. This is one that I got.
I guess it was my subconscious wanting it to be a Muskrat that misled me. The white face was a clear indication it is a nutria. While muskrats are native to North America and often found in wetlands areas and ponds, the nutria is from South America and invasive, sometimes damaging native eco-systems. This explains the large size of this one, much larger than a muskrat. According to what I read, muskrats are much smaller, weighing only between 1 1/2 to four lbs.
Sorry for the original misinformation!