Wild Friends

The chilly temperatures from the last couple of days created a layer of ice on the beaver ponds again.  The geese and coyotes were treading softly across it.
 
The ponds that had open water along the edges were a feeding ground for the muskrats and beaver.  I stopped my vehicle and walked close enough to the edge to hear them crunching their fresh twigs and reeds.  There were numerous beavers atop the ice; their wet coats reflecting the sunlight across the pond.

I drove from one end of the park to the other.  In addition to the muskrats, beaver, and geese, the bison, elk and a  porcupine were out.  The porcupine was waddling up the side of the ditch toward the trees.  I managed to get within five feet of the porcupine.  Each time I tried to get a photo of its cute little face, it would turn its quilled backside toward me.

I'm looking forward to the weekend.  It sounds like the weather is supposed to settle and the temperature is supposed to warm.  I sure hope that happens soon as the new wild babies will be born soon.