San Luis Natl Wildlife Refuge- Beaver Edition!

Photo Album

Zephyr learned a great lesson about why we should always take the road less-traveled in natural areas today (safety permitting, of course).  Instead of taking the short trail to the Sousa Marsh viewing platform, I convinced him to take the trail along the irrigation ditch that supplies that make the wetlands wet.  (Sadly, the ditch likely has more water flowing through it than the San Joaquin River that meanders just several hundred meters away). 

As we walked along the maintenance road/trail we heard a very large splash coming from a stand of fennel.  We immediately looked for a clear view to see what fell in the water.  It turned out to be a friendly beaver.  My immediate reaction was trying to analyze its swimming technique and to scrutinize its nose & tail to make sure it wasn't a nutria. Luckily for everyone, the beaver was a beaver and we were very happy!

Other cool sightings today were two deer and a great snowy egret that we got to watch spear and eat a fish!