I have to admit, the Mountain Beaver is an animal I have wanted to see for many years, but chalked it up there with Spotted Bat and Pygmy Sperm Whale in that I know they are out there, but the odds of me finding one are......
So, I was more than delighted to have been able to spend a good 15 minutes watching this one at close range as it repeatedly carried mouthfuls of dry grass and green conifer twigs to its burrow under the snow.
Recently re-found this old photo of a common loon which was found dead and brought to our old office. Wildlife co-worker diagnosed a probable accidental landing on pavement, which was mistaken for dark water. The body was found was along a highway bridge which separates two waterbodies. No visible damage, which I thought was quite surprising and also why I feel comfortable uploading this photo as there is no gore. Very large, beautiful bird to see up close.