Dusk was approaching as I found this napping beaver on the bank of a creek that had been overflowing its usual streambed in southern Indiana. It seems to have just moved in and not yet made a home, but since then it has built a small dam and cut down many small trees. Notice that its tail is visible, as is not true in many beaver shots.

Tags:   beaver sleeping animal Castor canadensis sleeping beaver

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new resident beaver in the pond, southern Indiana

Tags:   beaver pondlife mammal Castor canadensis mammals of the Midwest

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One of the least shy of mammals, the muskrat allows fairly close observation if a photographer is polite and doesn't make sudden moves. This muskrat would come to this spot, chew on the reeds a bit, and then dive underwater. Southern Indiana.

Tags:   muskrat mammal pondlife muskrat in pond Ondatra zibethicus

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This muskrat was going back and forth between its hole and this spot, working away, unperturbed by my presence 12 or 15 feet away as long as I didn't move. Southern Indiana.

Tags:   muskrat mammal muskrat in pond Ondatra zibethicus

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The softness of this mammal's dry fur is visible as it drinks. Pond in Southern Indiana.

Tags:   muskrat mammal pond animals muskrat in pond Ondatra zibethicus

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