Unwelcome House Guest

Washburn's Outdoor Journal / March 25, 2020

Photography courtesy of Lowell Washburn, all rights reserved.

The giant Canada goose is the first waterfowl to begin nesting each spring; and at least a few females are already sitting on eggs. One of those early nests is located atop a muskrat lodge at Lekwa Marsh on Clear Lake’s south shore.

While I was photographing the nest on March 24, the incubating goose received an unusual visitor when a large beaver popped up next to the lodge and quickly climbed aboard. Once out of the water, the beaver shook, raised up on its hind legs, and began cleaning its fur. Since beavers are strict vegetarians, the surprise guest posed no threat to the Canada’s eggs. Nevertheless, the goose was obviously annoyed at the intrusion. After receiving a few authoritative nips from the hen’s powerful mandibles, the docile furbearer took the hint and swam back into the cattails.

Although the attending gander also realized that the beaver posed no threat to either his mate or their eggs, it became obvious that he didn’t feel the same about me. As I concentrated on photographing the nest, he tried to become invisible by sinking low to the water. LW

About The Author

Lowell Washburn

Born in North Central Iowa, Lowell Washburn has enjoyed a lifelong interest in the out of doors. He began photographing wild birds at age 10, and outdoor photography soon became his passion and eventually a career. Washburn is best known for images that portray migratory waterfowl and other wetland wildlife in their natural habitats. His best photographs are often obtained after spending hours floating amid natural marshlands, half submerged within the dark confines of a floating muskrat house blind. Upon completing military service as a sergeant with the Fourth Infantry Division in the central highlands of South Vietnam, Washburn returned to Iowa in 1970. His wildlife photos began appearing in Iowa newspapers in 1971 and he began authoring outdoor news columns in 1978. Today, his photos and writing have appeared in over 50 national and international magazines including Outdoor Life, International Wildlife, Field&Stream, Ducks Unlimited, Pointing Dog Journal, the NAFA Journal, and others. After working as a naturalist for Iowa’s county conservation board system, Washburn was recruited by the Department of Natural Resources in 1984. His primary duties included statewide communication with Iowa newspaper, television, and radio news agencies with a primary goal of increasing the level of public awareness and appreciation for Iowa's natural resources. During his tenure he also served as staff member for the Iowa Conservationist Magazine and for the DNR’s Iowa Outdoors Magazine. Washburn retired from the DNR in 2010. In addition to wildlife photography, his ongoing outdoor passions include falconry, traditional bow hunting, waterfowling, spending time with hunting dogs of all types, and herpetology.