Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Cricetidae family

Yesterday, 20 April 2017, I had to move my vehicle for the whole day so that the City could clean the whole area. I don't have an up-to-date street parking pass, which meant that I needed to find something to fill my day - instead of being at home, working on my Taxes! A morning walk at Carburn Park took care of around three hours - the only birds close enough for photos were an American Robin, two Franklin's Gulls, and a Canada Goose : ) Afterwards, I called in at a local wetland and photographed a Mallard, a busy Muskrat - and a Canada Goose, lol. Not a very friendly Goose, either, though he must have a nest somewhere in the area. Hissed at me and followed me part way down the path. I had to go back along the same path to get to my car, and waited till the Goose was as far away as possible before I hurried back. Oh, there was also a Ring-billed Gull that was standing on the bridge railing, letting me take some nice, close shots. "An adult muskrat is about 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches) long, almost half of that tail, and weighs from 0.7 to 1.8 kg (1.5 to 4 lb). Muskrats are much smaller than beavers (Castor canadensis), with whom they often share their habitat." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskrat I can't wait till I can start editing my photos from Day 5 of our Trinidad & Tobago adventure! First, though, I have to finish my Taxes and try again to make an appointment.

Happened to notice this Muskrat in the creek leading into the Bow River yesterday, when I called in to check on the Great Horned Owls. I was fascinated by the patterns the Muskrat created as it swam through the reflections in the water. People are sometimes unsure if they have seen a Beaver or a Muskrat when they see something swimming - as you can see in this photo, the Muskrat's tail is long and thin, not like the Beaver's large tail, flattened like a paddle. The Beaver is also a much larger animal.

I had never even heard of a Southern Red-backed Vole before seeing this tiny creature, LOL! Saw it when some of us were on the Dawn Chorus (walk) at Weaselhead/South Glenmore Park on 12th June (starting at 3:30 a.m.!). It was sitting on the path, nibbling quite happily on this long Dandelion stalk. It let a Naturalist's hand get to within maybe three or four inches, but then it decided it was time to leave : ) Lighting was awful, so had to use my flash for this - and I really don't like my flash.