Another critter I discovered along the bike path...

This is a nutria. They are rodents who live in and near water and are an invasive species in the US, due to the fur industry.

Everyone around here thinks they are "vicious", but I think they are rather cute. :)

I was within touching distance of this one for four minutes and he never bothered to attack me! *laughs* He studied me while I took photos of him. I was telling him that the bike path was dangerous and he took me at my word and headed back towards his home in the creek.

And then he started munching on the leaves of a blackberry vine. ha! Blackberries are an invasive species here as well!!

Static8 > Journal > Archive > 15 sept 2011 Entry