As I described in my last post, there has been a lot of beaver modifications along Puffer Pond at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. This year for the first time I have actually seen these animals, the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis). I was particularly pleased to spot this young adult in mid October. If I may anthropomorphize, he seemed to be having a lovely time swimming among the lilies and periodically diving for some treasure. The reflection of the trees in the water added both color and drama to the image.

Most of the beaver quotes that I could find alluded to the old TV Series “Leave it to Beaver” that defined the myth of the American Family in the 1950’s or lawyer jokes. After serious chewing on it for a while I have chosen to just enjoy the damn beaver photograph.

Canon T2i with EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.0 L IS USM Lens at 275 mm, ISO 1600, Aperture Priority AE Mode1/2000 th sec at f/7.1 with no exposure compensation.