The beavers are still there, and it's a beautiful spring day

19 April 2014. The dam is in the right background.

It's a beautiful spring day.

The dam is still there, and survived the recent heavy rains intact.

While I was looking around at the dam, I noticed a large log, probably five inches diameter and five or six feet long leaning against the front of the dam. It struck me that it was too big for one of the beavers to have put it there. I thought probably a person did.



Later, at home, I checked the pictures.You'll never guess, even in a million years. Turns out that a beaver did move that log. Look closely at the sequence below, of three photographs taken only seconds apart. You'll see that the log is being moved by a beaver. The beaver itself is barely visible on the left end of the log. It's barely more than a gray shadow, but it's there.

The other animals in the park are also out and about. The bluebirds and tree swallows are starting to nest in the boxes. I believe some have laid eggs already. Enjoy the pictures.

Happy Easter.

Go outside and play. 

Gratitude

Wow, I'm knocked off my pins, thrown for a loop, and otherwise quite pleasantly surprised.

It seems that several people other than me didn't like the fact that my camera was stolen. So they passed the hat around and collected enough cash to buy me a new one.

I really am at a loss for words. Thank you very much, I am very grateful for your generosity.

So, we're back in business.

The dam. 6 April 2014.

The dam is still there, and still looking very strong.
The pond is getting active with the spring weather. I noticed several water striders and one turtle enjoying the still water of the pond. Not to mention several people.










I also noticed how clear the water is downstream of the dam. Part of the reason for that is that the dam acts as a silt fence. A silt fence installed at no expense to the taxpayers, I might add.

I took this photograph just upstream of the dam. Perhaps you can see the silt collected by the dam. You can also see tracks left by the beaver as it swam to the dam, probably to add leaves and sticks to it. The tracks run through the stream bottom from lower right to upper left.


Beaver ponds have an effect on aquatic insects because they slow down the water flow. Some insects like to live in fast water, and others on slow water. (http://www.ecology.info/beaver-invertebrates.htm) So, I anticipate that a stream like Minebank Run which is primarily fast water will see a wider variety of insects with the dam than without.

It's a beautiful day.

Go outside and play.

Bad news

Someone has stolen my camera.

There are of course, pictures of the thief or thieves in action. I can only hope that they will be sent to the police.

Anybody know how to do that crowdfunding thing.......