This afternoon, as I headed on my way to visit my mother, I glanced toward the pond at a point on my street where I can catch a glimpse of the whole pond. Sometimes I don’t think to look, other times, like today, I drive slowly and give a quick study. I know I was looking for any sign of the beaver, and sure enough, midway across the pond, a slow steady wake was progressing from one shore to the other. I put my car in reverse, backed into my driveway and, grabbing my camera, headed for the pond.

I walked to the far side, the destination side for the beaver. But, as I walked past the point where he might have come ashore, there was no sign of him. I glanced back over the water, and there he was, heading back to the island. Above is a picture I took in haste. (I desperately need a telephoto lens, and hope soon to buy one.)

Following his path with my eyes, I quickly walked to the end of the pond, hoping to meet him near the island, where I might get another photo. But, he submerged and did not reappear. I suspect he scooted into one of the little caves along the waterline of the island.

As I reached the far end of the pond, I happened upon a flock of geese grazing on the lawn. They gave their usual racket of honks, warning each other of my presence. As I walked closer to them, some startled, taking a short thirty foot flight to the water. I was able to get a wonderful photo that shows the progression of ‘landing approach’, about which I mused earlier in the week. It may just be that there is a method to the splashdown. Although, since this was not a landing at full speed, it was a more gentle water entry than the chaotic scene when they dive in from high above. But, it allowed for a good representation of what the phases of landing are. It must be the webbed feet that cause the initial splash and skid to a halt, which is continued by the rest of their body’s landing. You see here that there is a fair amount of white water, even with a simple entry.
(As always, click on the photo to enlarge it for better detail. Use the back arrow to return to the post.)

And, here they are, settling in for a float-about!