Muskrat Love

 

Ok, I admit it. I love the idea of someday spying a River Otter over maybe happening upon a Muskrat here on Island. And despite the exciting news shared last winter that a River Otter was spotted crossing a snow dusted Castle road, and webbed tracks and dragging tail prints were photographed in deeper snow mid Island, even tell- tale fishy smelling scat documented by yours truly; I am learning to be equally loyal to any Muskrat sighting. Could be the rat thing; that scaly tail. Could be the rodent profile; those protruding teeth. It could though very well be I just need to embrace Muskrat love. While a secretive concealed telemetry device might someday let me follow a tagged and elusive River Otter over here-I enjoy being left to my own devices; local traditional knowledge.

 At the very eastern tip of Fishers Island there is a very territorial Osprey that has a splendid view of Latimer Reef Light. Here she guards her brood atop the telephone pole between Mud and Money ponds. Legend has it there is sunken treasure in one. As for me and my muddy map quest for Muskrat love, this is where I found it – in a treasured moment.