Wildlife is abundant along the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam.
Mergansers.
Mallards.
An osprey perched across the river. He was not an overly cooperative subject. In the second photo, his wings are raised. He's about to fly away. He swooped across the river several times. On one pass, he snatched a 10 inch trout. Too bad we weren't quick enough to get a picture of him lifting off with his dinner.
This rodent was about the size of a rat. Muskrat? Maybe. It's a good swimmer!
We came across a strange sight in the middle of the trail. Someone or something had killed a beaver.
I had never seen a tail close up. And the torn little paws made me sad. The pelt was gone.
One more species was on the river in greater numbers than usual. Can you identify these wild and crazy creatures?
The paws look almost human. How sad!
ReplyDeleteI too would have been intrigued with the beaver tail. Interesting how the not-so-tasty parts were left behind. Anyway, there is always so many stories and tales to be told in nature and it is fun to come upon them as you hike along. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThose crazy creatures looked like they were having fun fishing... Wonder if they caught anything?
ReplyDeleteOh My on the beaver... I've never seen a tail that close either... Yipes.
Looks like a great place for wildlife... Love it!
Don't miss my blog today.
Hugs,
Betsy
yeah, those fishermen are a little crazy :) Sad about the beaver--do they allow trapping on the river? My dad was a trapper, but I don't ever remember him trapping on the green.
ReplyDeleteOh my, poor little beaver but it's nature's way. Your photos were great though. Really nice wildlife pictures, including the humans with fishing lines attached :) I am hoping I can comment on your blog. If this message gets through, woo-hoo says me. I have tried on several blogs today with no success.
ReplyDeleteAw the beaver was a sad story but all the others were lovely! Such beauties! What do you think killed the beaver - animal or man?
ReplyDeleteSad Beaver Tale:(
ReplyDeleteI have to say that hairdo on that bird is quite spectacular:))))
poor beaver...the other creatures look like they are having fun....gorgeous scenery Janie...
ReplyDeleteThought I'd heard that the beaver's tail is the best part to eat, but maybe only by those last critters you saw.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place to walk and observe wildlife. It must have been exciting to watch the osprey catch its dinner. Too bad about the beaver.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a beaver in the wild, alive or dead. I don't think I've seen an osprey in the wild either. I've seen lots of guys on fishing on those kind of boats on the Snake River in Idaho.
ReplyDeleteTwo great posts on the Green River. I like the Mergansers and you got some great shots. Osprey are not cooperative, we spotted a pair in their nest on our recent trip, I'm anxious to download and see what they look like on the computer.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the beaver provided a meal for some predator. As sad as it seems, it is the way of life, one creature provides nourishment for another.
I'm afraid I can't help you with the identity of the wild and crazy creatures in your last picture. I will say that I do like the hairdo on the Merganser in a couple of your pictures. It is too bad about the beaver.
ReplyDeleteAs to those wild and crazy troutfishermen... I resemble that remark. :)
ReplyDeleteQuite a lot of wildlife ... and great camera work. Weird find of the tail. I was 20 feet away of a red shouldered hawk grabbing a snake and then flying away. I was amazed.
ReplyDeleteYour picture of Green River is magnificent. It's so clear and there's so much detail. Love the shots of the Mergansers.
ReplyDeleteLooks like someone may have trapped the Beaver. That swimmer does look very rat-like.
ReplyDeletePoor Beaver!!!
ReplyDeleteThose 'wild men' will never fish as good as that osprey!
That looks like a great fishing spot. I hope they caught a lot!!
ReplyDeleteHow sad about the beaver! I really like how close you got to the mergansers! I find them quite shy here.
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