Virginia opossum, Green Island Wetland Preserve, Iowa
I “patrolled” my favorite wetland area along the Mississippi down at Green Island this afternoon. Five different raptors were spotted, with the most noticeable a Rough-legged Hawk. None of the birds came within range of a decent photo but it was fun watching some bird action. As I was ready to go home I spotted a black dot in the distance on top of the dyke. Getting closer it was soon identified as a Virginia opossum. They do not hibernate but reduce their activities during the winter and can stay in their den for several days if it gets a bit below freezing.
Both images: Nikon Z6II, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, FTZ adapter
This little guy had obviously enough from staying home and was out for a walk. As I got out of the car it had nowhere to go, there was only all open and snow covered territory around. The critter took a stand, showed me its teeth briefly, and figured out feigning death, means “playing possum”, wouldn’t help either. So it waited what would happen next and probably wondered why the guy with his camera in hand got low to the ground but didn’t charge or attack. The Virginia Opossum, also known as the North American opossum, is the northernmost opossum and also the northernmost marsupial in the world. Several sources state that this animal eats 95% of the ticks they encounter and it is estimated that they eat about 5000 ticks per season. Talk about a useful animal…!