Muskrat eating in an alpine creek – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This spring I’ve been able to enjoy photographing a family of muskrats that live in a creek in the Wasatch Mountains and I expect I will also see them at least part way through the summer as well. When I don’t have a bird in my viewfinder I have watched the adult muskrats swimming, gathering food, and eating in the alpine creek.
I’ve seen the young muskrats too but so far I haven’t been able to obtain decent images of them because there have always been branches, grasses or other obstructions in the way that have prevented me from getting the photos of them that I would like.
I have been able to take nice photos of the adults though including a few close ups. In this image the adult was close enough to me that I could count its whiskers through my viewfinder and could watch it putting food in its mouth with its small paws.
I would have liked to have taken photos of the muskrat from a lower angle but I would have had to have exited the “mobile blind”, climbed down an embankment and sat on the ground which would have scared away the muskrats and flushed any nearby birds. I may have to purchase a ghillie suit to get a lower angle at the creek. That is something I have been thinking about doing for other places I go to when photographing birds.
Muskrat with a mouth full of pondweed close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The adult muskrats eat some of the food they bring up from under the surface of the creek and they also take some of the food back to the area where their young are and one other location. I believe they do that to safely store the food. In this photo the adult has a mouth full of pondweeds that it took to where the muskrat kits were the last time I saw them that morning.
I keep hoping that I will be able to take photos of the young muskrats swimming and playing with each other because they are pretty cute. I just need a little luck on my side.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Muskrat photos plus facts and information about this species.
Interesting critters. Kinda like vultures…they number among natures clean-up crews. Beautiful shots. Thanks Mia.
I’m liking the ripples in the creek — such a perfect frame for the Muskrat. Hoping you get to photograph the kits soon.
Now to get rid of that Captain and Tennille earworm…
I hope that luck is a lady and you (and we) get those shots.
Muskrats help keep aquatic “weeds” and plants down and under control…nice series…
I believe that like the beaver the muskrat has poor eye sight, you may be able to sneak up on it if you are quiet and walk slowly.