Hi, That was the confusing part; because the animal was sort of spinning,
the tail did not look to be wide and flat (I've seen beaver in the
Wenatchee River, actually from above, looking down on them as they were
swimming underwater---really neat to watch, and their big flat tails are
distinctive), but rather more like a (and this sounds ridiculous) dog's
tail, only stouter perhaps. It also didn't make the almost gunshot-like
sound of a beaver's tail slapping water. It was a "sloppier" sound, not
as loud.
But, the light was failing and maybe he just didn't feel like being all
that noisy. If not a beaver, though, what would be that large and
swimming?
Glenda Pearson

On Fri, 31 May 1996, Janet Partlow wrote:

> SO as regards the water mammal, the first thing to look at and ask
> yourself:"What did the tail look like?" This will rapidly sort out
> beavers from everything else.
> Janet Partlow
> elwha.evergreen.edu
>
> On Fri, 31 May 1996, Glenda Pearson wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> > A bit off-topic from "purple peril" but do any of you folks know if there
> > are beaver around the Montlake Fill? We were out canoeing just before
> > sunset last night, enjoying the disneyesque tame fauna (canoe perching
> > mallards and redwinged blackbirds), the occasional muskrat, but no
> > turtles, darnit, when something BIG splashed a hundred yards or so away.
> > We paddled over to investigate, and a large head appeared, distinct ears,
> > brownish color. It was easily as curious about us as we were about
> > him/her. We would get within a certain distance and then the beastie
> > would sort of roll up and almost out of the water and then dive, slapping
> > the water as it went under. Then it would resurface and peer at us again.
> >
> > Way too big to be a muskrat.
> >
> > It was a very beautiful evening, and almost empty of other boaters.
> >
> > Glenda Pearson
> > Suzzallo Library
> >
> >
>