Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Beaver Creek

DSCF6092

If I had wading boots on, I could’ve seen the front of this Daffodil blooming under pines near the edge of a pond. I always wonder why Daffodils grow randomly on roadsides or in the middle of fields.

A man stopped his car and asked me if I had seen the beaver at the pond. The grocery store pond is on Beaver Creek Road. He said it’s the largest rodent he’s ever seen in his life! His enthusiasm struck me funny and I wanted to reply with well, just how big is it? As big as your compact car?


DSCF6170

No, I haven’t seen the critter because I don’t visit in the middle of the night but you can tell a beaver has worked hard for the past three weeks flattening the landscape, tree by tree, branch by branch, twig by twig. It’s astonishing!

Beaver has changed the look of the pond where Belted Kingfishers, Green and Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets dined and rested.


DSCF5530

I’m appalled, yet fascinated.


DSCF5531

Here’s what I think is the beginning of a lodge (or beaver shack), two weeks ago.


DSCF6168

Today, it looks complete – if it truly is an active lodge… I’d love to place a hidden camera inside as I know they have very efficient floor plans for resting and drying. And, I’d remove the shack trash. That bothers me.


DSCF6164

I’ll keep tabs on my favorite retreat on Beaver Creek. Perhaps I’ll find the herons and egrets again one day. And the lovely songbirds? Gee, I hope they remain.


DSCF6172

The birds are singing sweetly and loudly. Love songs.


DSCF5591


DSCF5597

This is what I get for shooting into the sun. Can you find the Butter Butt?

Dog update -

Bam, Gina’s English Bulldog, had knee surgery yesterday and is resting well. I have his brother, the 80-pound Mr. Biggins until the weekend.


DSCF6155

There are six eyes on me. Every moment. Often annoying, but three times the love.

26 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Chloe and Bella look really tense at having Mr. Biggins in the house.
:)

Beaver Creek sound so much neater that the grocery store pond. Keep us posted.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You must be the pez. They don't want an opportunity for a treat to slip by them.

What fun to watch the beaver action. Your herons and egrets will return, no doubt.

A New England Life said...

That is one busy beaver! Maybe now you can get some better shots of the Heron since there's no place for it to hide.

Yup, it's a tough life in your house. The animals are struggling to get through one more day. You might want to ease up a bit over there and give them a few snacks at least. Looks like they are all famished! ; )

Corey said...

Looks like the paint fumes got to the doggies. Think that would work on my kids?

Wendy said...

Those were great pics! Especially of the beaver lodge. I've never seen one in the process of being built. Hope you get a glimpse of the beavers sometime.
Your dogs look all tuckered out. Awwww- give them a treat!

beckie said...

Mary, hope Bam is doing okay. I know Mr. Biggins must be missing him. I'm sure the girls are good hostess's but you know a guy just likes his own home. Grandma needs to be extra kind to him. :}

What fu to see the beaver lidge being built. It really is amazing that an animal can contsruct something so complex. The birds here are starting to sing love songs and I think we will soon see nests being made.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the daffs, perhaps the squirrels dig the bulbs up and move them.

TR Ryan said...

Fantastic post. You really have a gift for casual, breezy but matter-of-fact narrative. There's always a little magic in the way you write; the way you look at the world. I just smile and smile and smile. That little ecosystem looks vastly improved to me by Mr. Beaver. The herons and egrets will have a field day wading in those little overflow zones. You'll probably get yet even more kinds of birds now. Keep track for us. And never, never, never hesitate to end the story with a licker sister or two. Magic.

Anonymous said...

I cannot help but smile looking at that photo of the three pairs of eyes on you. Such a family vignette :-)

Kim said...

They work fast! Cute dog pictures of your two babies!

Jayne said...

Hope you get to see those beavers Mary. It's amazing to see what and how they construct. Hope Bam Bam recovers without any problems. :c)

Tina said...

Oh, Mary, I would love to find a beaver's digs...I used to go with my father very early in the morn to watch them work in the twilight as the sun comes up..I'm sure the other residents of this little pond will return..and I'm looking forward to seeing your pics..
Love the picture of your dogs..so lo key and so watching u!! lol I have 8 legs and 4 eyes that follow me everywhere..sometimes we don't all fit in that powder room!!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh I saw the butter butt!! I'm sure the birds will keep on coming....I saw a beaver once...it was quite amazing!!

Cheryl said...

Some beautiful photographs there Mary......love the beaver shack, I would be so excited to see one.....

Those dogs are just so cute......

Heidi said...

I can see the warbler :) I'm shocked that it sat still long enough for you. In our backyard they sit still for us, but out in the "wild" they barely rest before snapping up a bug. LOL, no wonder our YRWs are so fat at our feeders.

I'm certain the herons and egrets will be back. I can't imagine a beaver's work would chase them off.

NatureWoman said...

Look at all of those dog bodies - I love dogs' bodies!
Ohhhh, thank you for the daffodil photo, and your other wonderful photos. It's so fun to see your natural world through your camera.

Q said...

Dear Mary,
Amazing how quickly a beaver can make an entire home, a lodge no less, and all I want is a studio! I also think a clean up is in order. No reason to leave contruction trash laying about...
The girls look as if they are relaxing after a hetic day of entertaining. Do you leave the tv on for them or music? I bet they are dancing while you are slaving away at the office.
Sherry

Dawn said...

What a fun post, Mary. I love hearing about your adventures watching the beaver's progress and seeing your cool photos. Your doggies look very happy to my untrained eye...though I must agree with everyone here: please give them more treats!
;-)

Kathi said...

Looks like the scene of an R.O.U.S.* at work. You know, you can sometimes see beaver out in the daylight, but you have to be lucky, I think.

The dogs look exhausted - they must have had a busy day of watching you and waiting for you to drop a morsel of food. Whew!

~Kathi

*Rodent Of Unusual Size (thank you, "Princess Bride")

Diane AZ said...

It is fascinating how a beaver can change the landscape. I saw one at a zoo and was surprised how big it was. Would like to see more of this guy's work. Your dog picture is hilarious!

Ruth said...

Beavers are certainly busy and productive rodents and their ponds end up benefiting many other creatures. I love your spring pictures!!

Dog_geek said...

Welcome to Mr. Biggins! And, those beavers sure can do an appaling amount of damage in a short period of time, can't they? When we walk past the beaver ponds here, it seems like sometimes weeks go by with no signs of activity, and then all of a sudden, blammo! There's been a flurry of activity and everything is different.

dguzman said...

My best to Bam, and to Mr Biggins and the sisters.

Cool--new pond!

JeanMac said...

That last pic cracked me up.

Anonymous said...

A daffodil blooming under the pines near the pond.

Works for me, Mary.

Really.

You're the poet.

Dawn Fine said...

Howdee Mary...
first congrats again..on a smokeless month...
and cool photos of the beaver dam in progress.
oh my goodness those dogs look so happy ...esp. that one with its feet in the air...tee hee