<< Previous Next >>

Rat or Beaver?


Rat or Beaver?
Photo Information
Copyright: Bengt Falke (falke) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 17 N: 450] (1614)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-14
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 400D, Canon EF 300/4 L IS USM
Exposure: f/4, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-15 13:23
Viewed: 660
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In Camargue we saw an animal that we also saw in Arcachon a week ago. Then it was a grownup that we saw from a hide of maybe 10 meters, but this time it was a young one in maybe 2-3 meters only. As we were very still it did not notice us at all. Not even the rather noisy image stabilization of my Canon 300/f4 L IS USM lens that have scared so many birds away from me.... ;o(

Those of you with good eyesight might notice the little stick it holds in the left hand. Your guess is as good as mine as what for... best guess wins a Capuchino with us down here!

As you probably already have guessed this is the coypu or nutria (Myocastor coypus/ sumpbäver) that we had our second close encounter with. I decided to post this image of something other than birds today as my photo of a flying flamingo ysterday din not win any scoring competitions.... ;o)

From Wikipedia:
The coypu somewhat resembles a very large rat in appearance. Adults are typically 5–9 kg (10-20 lbs) in weight, and 40–60 cm (15-24 inches) in body length, with a 30–45 cm (12-18 inches) tail. They can also be identified by their bright orange-yellow incisor teeth (unlike rats, which have brownish yellow incisors). The nipples of female coypu are on her back. This allows their young to feed while the female is in the water.

Coypu can also be mistaken for another widely dispersed semi-aquatic rodent that occupies the same wetland habitats, the muskrat. The muskrat, however, is smaller, more tolerant of cold climates, and has a dorso/ventrally flattened tail that it uses to assist in swimming, whereas the tail of a coypu is round.

----------------------------------------
I took this in rawformat and used Adobe Lightroom for some adjustments before the edit in Photoshop CS3 beta

Just a little crop and a bit hue
Sharpening with Photokit capture sharpener, nothing more.
nglen, Shoot_Score, garyfudge, jaycee has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nglen: Thanks nickfalke 1 04-15 13:33
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2129 W: 9 N: 5957] (22516)
  • [2007-04-15 13:30]
  • [+]

Hi Bengt.Great shot, lots of fine detail and colour.His coat looks like its made of wire. TFS.well done.

Nick

Howdy Bengt!

Well I'll be; a busy beaver in France!!! Pardon me for grinning! All I get to see from my buddies in Alberta is muskrats... And they are not as smart as these coypo! Fancy that! Nipples on the back! I am grinning again!

As to that stick: it is a dowsing rod


Mange tak Bengt, Jay

Hi Bengt,

this is a really good shot. The quality from the lens is really good. Overall the shot is well framed, exposed and focused perfectly.

Gary

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1902 W: 8 N: 4957] (16017)
  • [2007-04-15 15:56]

Hi Bengt,

What a wonderful coat - and I love the whiskers. The eye stands out so well on that furry ball. Wonderful shot.

Jane

These imported animals have become a HUGE nuisance here in the west. They are pushing out the native muskrat and are becoming very numerous to the point where there are elimination efforts. Your photo though is quite sharp and well exposed. Interesting note too.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Très bonne prise de vue, très bons détails.
Bravo
Marie

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF