Muskrat on Ice

[Teton Chuck]

I was photographing Trumpeter Swans when this little muskrat crawled out of the water and onto the ice in front of me. It was totally overcast. I thought it was a cute little critter.

[Nicks Pics]

It is cute. I got some very similar pictures this last couple months (subject wise) but yours is much better. The muskrat I saw was sitting on the ice and diving down to get some vegetation under water, then it would come back up on the ice, eat it, and go back down and get more. Maybe that's what this guy was doing.

[rpcrowe]

I thought that this was going to be a new culinary delight I wonder if a bit more contrast and or saturation might be in order...

[Teton Chuck]

He was bringing up food and eating it.

Richard, is this what you meant?

[GBO25]

Sharp as a tack right down to the droplets of water on its fur and whiskers. Composition may have it a little too central but a good shot.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[IzzieK]

Aw...I love it....it is a good shot...

[Mike Buckley]

I prefer the revised version.

Coincidentally, you mentioned Trumpeter Swans and Muskrats in the same post. You might not know that Muskrat Ramble is one of the great classics of Dixieland music, making your mention of Trumpeter Swans interesting. I assume Muskrat Ramble can be easily found and played on the Internet.

[tbob]

Quite intriguing and nicely done. I wonder if it feels safer to stand on the ice so exposed now that the the aerial predators have migrated south?

[Teton Chuck]

Thank you Graham. I agree about the central.

[Teton Chuck]

Thank you John and Izzie.

[Teton Chuck]

I prefer the revised version.

Coincidentally, you mentioned Trumpeter Swans and Muskrats in the same post. You might not know that Muskrat Ramble is one of the great classics of Dixieland music, making your mention of Trumpeter Swans interesting. I assume Muskrat Ramble can be easily found and played on the Internet.

Mike, I might never be able to go photograph Trumpeter Swans again without humming this tune:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vpuFYQwZ5o It makes me smile.

[Teton Chuck]

Quite intriguing and nicely done. I wonder if it feels safer to stand on the ice so exposed now that the the aerial predators have migrated south?

Trevor, some of you're "aerial predators" spend the winter here, but it ate on the ice anyway. Thanks for the comment.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice shot, Chuck. Crazy pink toenail polish that one is wearing The reprocessed version makes the details in fur etc. stand out a bit better. Well done.

We have them in our local marsh but when I'm down there shooting birds I've only see/shot them swimming. Now you've given me an idea to take a look for them this time of year.

[FootLoose]

Well, I have never seen a muskrat before and I am surprised to learn that you eat them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrat

[Teton Chuck]

Thank you Dan.

[Teton Chuck]

Greg, they may be a food source for some people, but I am not one of them.

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous image! I like the crop. I've never seen a muskrat so it is special to see a beautiful image of one.

[Downrigger]

Great shot, the tones/hues worked well in that light. I think the increased contrast/saturation is beneficial. Cooling the ice and water might pop him (or her) out a bit more also. Also, a signature for these guys is the tail... would have been nice if some of that had been presented to you as it would make it more apparent exactly which little brown mammal this was.

[RhondaH]

very nice capture!!