Observation #8 (the incredible beaver persuit!!)

Instead of doing my normal observation at my site, I decided to go on a quest for beavers. It was around 8:00 at night and 46 degrees. Luckily, the rain had subsided and there were only some clouds. I was very pessimistic at first because I thought there would be no way I would see a beaver dam let alone a beaver. Reluctantly, I drove down Fishe Creek Road and searched for beaver dams in the creek. As I was driving over a cattle guard, I swas this big pile of sticks on the side of the road. I honestly didn't think much of it other that it being a big pile that someone had discarded. As I continued on, I decided to turn around just to make sure that it was nothing more than a pile of sticks. I pulled off to the side of the road and went to investigate. Immeadiatly, I realized it was a beaver dam! Not only was there one beaver dam, but there were four! My assumption is that the four dams must have been the creation of one beaver family because I doubt there would be enough resources for multiple beaver populations. As I looked around, I became aware that all of the trees and willows had been completely gnawed down. It was absolutly incredible to witness the astonishing amount of work that the beavers must have put in to establish such complex dams. I was able to see how the beaver's dams were capable of slowing the water and creating a larger niche for themselves as well as other organisms. I examined the branches that the beavers had chewed down and I was able to see exactly where their teeth had sawed through the wood. Needing to get a closer look, I crept down towards the creek, careful not to disturb anything. As much as I had wanted to, I knew that I would probably not be able to see the actual beavers because they would be hiding away in their dams from the predator (me) that was lurking near thir home. I stood there for a while longer andall othe the sudden, I saw a little baby beaver swimming!!! The little beaver did not seem to mind me at all; it just swam around and did flips with it's large, flat tail following behind. It was so fascinating to watch this little baby beaver and then, another little one came out and joined it! They were so adorable, but I had to leave eventually so I returned home and left them in peace.