Along The Bayou

I was on my walk today.  And for the second time I saw this strange creature swimming up a drainage area.  Last time I scared it and it disappeared.  This time I sneaked along the bank.

I got a good look at the tail.  It was not a beaver.  Turns out, it was too big to be a muskrat.  I think it is a nutria.

I know these are supposed to be vile creatures... but it was cool!  I've never seen one.  As soon as it saw me, it ducked under water.  I waited for about 5 minutes.  It popped up down the way.  I sneaked again.  This time it ducked under and I never saw it again.

There it is without the gross round tail.