I am old enough to remember the 1977 Captain and Tenille hit song “Muskrat Love,” but inexperienced enough with muskrats not to know if the one that I photographed yesterday is a male or female.
I’ve had the chance to get photos of muskrats in the past, but the muskrat has always been swimming in the water or had been a long way away. Yesterday I came across this as he was eating no more than six to eight feet from where I was standing.
I had my long telephoto on my camera and had to back way down from the 400mm end of the zoom to get this frame-filling shot. I should have been able to get more good shots, but I didn’t notice at the time that my shutter speed was approximately 1/100 of a second and most of my images are blurred. It’s ironic that I had the chance for a close-up at a moment when I had replaced my image-stabilized lens for one with greater reach (but no stabilization).
Still, I got a pretty good shot that captured many of the muskrat’s details, so I am content (until the next time).
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I don’t have much real exposure to muskrats so I find the photo to be very interesting. It really added to my knowledge base so thank you.
You’re welcome. These little animals hang out in the same areas as the beavers in my local marsh and I actually see them more often than the beavers, because the muskrats are active during the day.
If it looks really skinny, it’s Sam; if it starts to giggle, it’s Susie. Thanks for the memory–and good shot, Mike!
Thanks, Gary. Folks from approximately the same age cohort seem to have shared musical memories. The song was silly, but fun.
That’s great to get him out of the water. The irony of so predictable.