During my recent visits to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I had the privilege of observing a North American Beaver eating water plants. It was a fascinating sight to see the beaver in the same spot every morning for the past several months, with its back to me on previous occasions. But this time, it faced me, providing a rare opportunity to capture its behavior through my camera lens.
Interestingly, American Beavers are herbivores and primarily eat bark, twigs, and water plants. The beaver I photographed was most likely consuming aquatic vegetation such as cattails or water lilies, which are essential sources of nutrition for these creatures. It’s impressive how these animals can use their sharp teeth to gnaw through tough plants and extract the nutrients they need to survive.
To get the shot, I headed to a location known as Miner’s Cove, which has become my go-to spot for capturing wildlife photos. I arrived before sunrise, parked my vehicle, and waited for enough light to start photographing. My camera and lens were resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup, allowing me to stabilize my equipment and capture the moment without any disturbance.
Observing and photographing American Beavers in their natural habitat is a unique experience that highlights the beauty and diversity of wildlife. Witnessing this beaver’s feeding behavior was a reminder of the crucial role that these creatures play in maintaining our ecosystem.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon EF 800 mm f/11
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: August 22, 2021 (7:10 A.M.)
- Program Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/400
- ISO: 6400 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 800 mm
Here is another photo that I took of a North American Beaver: Beaver Eating Corn On The Cob