Muskrat Love

I took my Olympus camera with long lens attached along on my walk this morning. And I received a surprise gift when I looked at my photos afterwards. Look closely at the photo above and see if you can see the muskrat near the three ducks on the right of the photo. I was astonished to see it and immediately fell in

thinking about how calmly it posed for my photographs. I had not noticed it when I made the photograph, probably seeing it as just another wood duck in the group of wood ducks.

A closer look

I occasionally see a muskrat swimming across the pond behind our house but more often see one swimming in the pond that’s across the street and down the hill from our house. That’s where I made this photo.

In Native American culture, the muskrat is seen as a symbol of intelligence, adaptability, and resourcefulness. The muskrat’s ability to adapt to its environment and thrive in any situation is seen as a valuable lesson for human life.

— Muskrat Animal Totem Meaning

Perhaps you cannot see the beauty of this creature, but it is amazing how well it is adapted to aquatic life in marshes and small ponds. I love how it’s front paws are visible as it eats aquatic plants. When we look closely at nature all around us we see so many species of animals and plants that enrich our world and our lives.

May you walk in beauty.

Note: Other photos from my walk this morning.