Feeding the Need: Muskrat

After learning that the Haines-Seville Wetland contained a small population of muskrats, I began returning in the evenings in hopes of capturing more images.

August was quite dry in our area and the wetland was shrinking daily. This in turn concentrated the muskrats into a smaller area allowing me to cover much of the open water from one position.

Each evening as the sun neared the horizon the muskrats would surface from their submerged dens and begin feeding. Some would leave the water and travel only a few feet before cutting vegetation and carrying it back to the water while others would apparently travel some distance as they would be gone ten to fifteen minutes before returning with their fresh cut bundle.

Whenever possible the muskrats travel in the shadows but on a few occasions one, such as this one, would break the rules and travel through a sunlit area.

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