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Sayer | all galleries >> Galleries >> Favorites - 2006 > Muskrat
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13-MAY-2006 Sayer

Muskrat

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

He was quite content chewing away while I stood a few feet away taking photos.
Right after this photo he caught site of me, dropped his snack, and fled in total panic.
I thought it had already seen us, but apparently not, and we were lucky to get so close.

Canon EOS 350D ,Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
1/640s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso400 (with 1.4x teleconverter) full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Guest 05-Nov-2007 23:05
Great capture.. cute little guy!
PeeBaseGuy08-Dec-2006 19:58
I posted this comment to your other photo too...

I think what you have there is a photo of a 'nutria'. A non-native species that Blackwater has tried to "eradicate":

http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/nutriafact.html

Ironically, Blackwater reports:

"Breaking News: On Nov. 17, 2004, the Washington Post reported on the fact that the Blackwater Refuge staff and their partners have eradicated the destructive nutria. With continued vigilance, Maryland wildlife authorities should be able to keep nutria out of the Refuge and allow the marshes to recover."

Seeing as how your photos were take 05/2006, it would seem that they were not successful in keeping them out.
Liz Bickel30-Nov-2006 07:16
Wonderful lighting and detail.
Janet Forjan-Freedman15-May-2006 22:46
This is a fantastic shot Sayer! What I find incredible is the detail in his claws. Janet
dawn15-May-2006 17:44
great shot, this!
Beryl Hauri-Gersch15-May-2006 00:05
Beautiful detail - maybe the muskrats are nearsighted and hard of eharing!
Guest 14-May-2006 20:50
Very lucky indeed and a great shot (as usual) Sayer.
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