Early yesterday morning I was thrilled when I saw one of the beavers at Huntley Meadows Park swimming around the beaver pond. My joy was compounded when the beaver climbed out of the water to grab a little breakfast.
North American beavers (Castor canadensis) are primarily nocturnal, so it’s difficult to get a glimpse of them during a time of the day when there is sufficient light to be photograph them. Previously I had seen a beaver at this pond in the early hours of the morning, but this is the first time that I have seen one of them climb over the logs block off one end of the beaver pond.
I am particularly happy that the first photo provides a good look at both the beaver’s very distinctive tail and its face. Most of the time that I was observing the beaver, I got a good look at only the tail end, which is interesting, but not especially photogenic.
In the second shot, the beaver is swimming away from the lodge with a small bunch of sticks. Was the beaver carrying them to another lodge? Is there a picnic somewhere else along the shore? It just seemed a bit strange for me to see the beaver heading off into the distance at a time when I assumed he would be getting ready for his long daytime snooze.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great photographs. I especially like the one with the tail. I never seem to get that classic pose. Great work!
Thanks, Victor. I think I stopped breathing for a few seconds when he assumed that pose and I tried to get the shot. A few seconds later he slid into the water.
Excellent capture! Which lens did you use – the 400? (I think you have that one) I’m hoping that my 70-200 “stretch” with clarity when I get my 2x extender.
I used the Tamron 150-600mm lens on my Canon 50D. I am really enjoying the extra reach that it gives me beyond the 70-300mm lens that I had been using.
Nice!
Great shots. You’ve captured some great beaverish behaviour there. One of my sisters messaged me yesterday just to tell me that beavers’ butts smell of raspberries. Maybe you can get really close to one some time and confirm or deny that for me. 😀
I kind of doubt that I’ll be able to get that close, but it certainly raises the question of how she would know something like that.
With my sister, I find it best not to ask. 🙂
Wow great captures Mike! I can feel your excitement in your description! The tail is really big – I never realised that!
Excellent shots Mike, I do remember your first Beaver posts some time back when conditions were not ideal for photography … It proves that if you put the time in you will eventually get rewarded and in this case the Beaver out and about in more favourable conditions … A testiment to your hard work and dedication, well done Mike.
Thanks, Marco. There are no guarantees when shooting wildlife, so I totally agree that persistence and patience will enhance the chances of getting some good shots.
It is odd that he or she is so active during the day but lucky for you!
Oh he’s so cute! You’re so lucky to have seen him. Well done!
Thanks. I consider myself to be really lucky any time that I manage to see one of the beavers at my local marsh and I certainly don’t expect to be able to see one out of the water very often. Still, every time that I approach the beaver pond, I am filled with hopeful expectation.