What's really remarkable....

...is that the deer have not dropped their antlers yet. The dates of shedding vary from year to year, but typically are late January to February. I suspect the warm winter has something to do with this. It takes some amount of energy for the deer to keep their antlers, and the relatively easy winter may explain why they are later than usual in dropping them.

Enjoy the pictures.

There's a story here. I just don't know what it is. 

The latest comings and goings....

I checked the cameras today and noticed that....

• The deer haven't dropped their antlers yet. I expect that will happen pretty soon. 
• The beaver is still active, and has taken branches to Minebank Run to eat, but still there is no dam.
• The raccoons have  been active the last couple weeks. I don't know if that's a seasonal change, or just coincidence. 

Enjoy the pictures.

Don't forget to go out and play.

That beaver is still around

This was a pleasant surprise.

The beaver is still around, and looking well. And I captured some lucky shots of various foxes dining.

Enjoy the photographs.

Don't forget to go outside and play.

One foxy post.....

I checked the camera yesterday and found that I captured quite a few great photographs. There were so many of this fox that I thought I'd post just those.

I especially like the view from the back of the fox's head. He was kind enough to walk under the camera from behind, and stop for a few seconds. Sometimes the stars align.

Enjoy....

Don't forget to go outside and play.

Oops, I almost forgot....have you joined the Cromwell Valley Park Council yet for 2017?
http://www.cromwellvalleypark.org/cvpCouncil.html

Well, I was wrong......

The beaver is still there. And is still eating. And is still carrying sticks towards the Run.

But it really is curious to me that there is no apparent dam building, nor any recently cut down trees.

Let me know, please, if you see anything. Meanwhile, enjoy the videos. And enjoy the wonderful benefits to us all that come from public lands.

Don't forget to go outside and play.

I believe we've seen the last of this beaver--and your park needs you.

My last captured image of the beaver was on 26 November 2016.

Since then, I've observed:

• The dam is gone, completely washed away
• There are no new trees cut down by the beaver
• There are no beaver sticks (The wood left over after a beaver eats the cambium. Because they are so bright, they are very easy to see, and evidence of recent eating in the area.)

This leads, of course to the obvious question--where did it go? I have no idea. But:

• A reliable source tells me that it hasn't been trapped and moved by the County Government
• No one has seen any activity nearby, indicating that it hasn't moved up or down stream
• There is a new alpha predator in Cromwell Valley Park.....

Awkward segue.

Indulge me for a minute, please.

I don't think it's a surprise to any of you that parks at all levels of government are not as well funded and supported as they might be. They just don't have the political horsepower of other activities. This makes volunteers and friends groups of parks vitally important. 

If you love Cromwell Valley Park as I do, and you want it to thrive, please join the Cromwell Valley Park Council. Annual membership for a family is $20.00. Twenty bucks! For a year! Peanuts! You spend more than that at Starbucks in a week! (At least some of you do....)

http://www.cromwellvalleypark.org/cvpCouncil.html

Please join. And please consider being on the Board of the Council. 11 meetings are scheduled for 2017. That's not a huge time commitment. But it gives you a chance to make a difference. 

Feel free to message me for more information.

and don't forget to go outside and play.