That’s no moon, it’s a space station! — Obi-wan Kenobi

I’m so used to seeing nutria here in the Northwest that it always catches me by surprise to see another rodent swimming through the water. I was at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens here in Portland and had actually seen a nutria a few minutes earlier, but even at a glance realized this rodent had a different profile in the water than a nutria would.

I snapped off a few pictures while it swam off, and started to question whether I really saw what I thought I saw. A saw a nutria shortly thereafter where my so-called beaver had gone, and was a little disappointed and confused at my mistake. But then another large rodent swam from the area and headed in my direction.

It soon submerged but was easily visible in the clear shallow water, and as it swam below me and under the bridge, it’s large flat tail was clearly visible.

Turns out my first instinct was right after all.