The ice is starting to close in the beaver's pond and they seem to be ready for it. Their two lodges look sturdy and there are enough freshly cut tree trunks in the vicinity to indicate that they have stored plenty of food for the winter.
Their dam is finished and the ice should make it stronger. The dam has raised the water level about three feet.
If I could be any animal for 24 hours, I would want to be a beaver. Since I probably won't get my wish I will have to be satisfied with keeping an eye on them all winter. It will be fun to snowshoe out to their lodge in a month or so when the ice is thick.
The ice is already making some beautiful formations both in the dam and in the puddles along the path.
11 comments:
You are so lucky. I would love to see something like that. They are nature's own engineers they way they build those dams.
Snow shoeing is my goal this winter. From what I hear it's fantastic exercise.
Your pictures are wonderful, Beth. The dams do look sturdy and big! How many beavers are there and don't they have their kits in the winter? I think that's what they are called. :) Have a great Thanksgiving!
A beaver dam is something I have never seen. I am fascinated by the process these wondrous animals undertake--food and shelter made with the same materials.
This beaver family is getting so much coverage, they may have their on series on the Animal Planet. Thanks for the pictures.
I hope they've made it well insulated.... brrrrr. :c)
Brrrr. It's forty nine here this morning. Someone in Canada forgot to shut the door. Glad the beavers finished their lodges and the dam. I know that's pretty. We probably won't have ice until January or February. Pappy
Beth, what fun to get to watch these wonderful creatures like you do! I love the photo with the hint of ice along the path. How well I remember seeing that for myself. No ice here in Tucson, though, just lots of wind!
how fun to be able to spend your winter watching the beavers...
and yes, I agree with you....summer seemed like only a moment, not a season....as it always does for me since I don't love winter.
and check back in with me in january where I'll be complaining that winter has alaready felt 6 months long....even though they have said we are going to have a very mild winter....I'm not sure I can trust those weather men after last years 100 plus inches of snow....
but those beaver stories and pics...that might help keep me warm !!!
How lucky you are to have a beaver colony to watch. Lovely photographs.
I can't wait to hear about your winter visits to the beaver lodge Beth. I think (from what I've read) that you may be able to see bits of steam coming from their lodge on really cold days and even hear them "conversing" inside the lodge if you're lucky and it's a quiet day.
Beth, I've seen the incredible work of Beavers in Maryland during the coldest winters. They're incredible craftsmen and I always looked on in awe of them. I found a beaver at work here, a poor soul who has been misplaced because of loads of construction in its habitat. It's resorted to sawing down every weeping willow it can find. Very sad.
Please keep us posted on that wonderful lodge. I love it!
Mary
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