North American Beaver

Description:

After being frozen for over a month, warmer temperatures finally thawed the ice on this pond. I thought it was a good day to take my canoe out; this beaver thought it was a good day for a swim. As I was putting stuff in the boat, the beaver just floated at the surface of the water watching me (2nd image). Once I got in the boat the beaver swam back and forth about 30 feet away from me, slapping it's tail once or twice before I left.

Habitat:

Large pond/reservoir in mid/deep water section. The beaver lodge is located about a half mile west at the mouth of a small stream.

Notes:

Pond had been frozen for over a month - only thawed a day or two before spotting.