"MAGIC IN THE WILLOWS"

Moose & White Tailed Deer (6 Photos)

Am still looking for a photo opportunity to catch the Beaver. However, its engineering is clearly evident around this series of ponds. A large lodge sits at one edge and through their damming and canal work, the beavers have engineered a network of connecting the various ponds.

Their work has resulted in a habitat complete with "willow forests" on islands edged by water, full of plant material and nutrients.

The habitat has now attracted ducks of various species, muskrats, mink, at least two species of herons, deer and YES, a moose!

I caught the moose height deep in lush willow vegetation and waited a few minutes for it to step out so I could get a clear shot of that distinct moose face. After a few minutes, it stepped into the vegetation forest and disappeared. It is amazing how a creature over 5 feet tall and weighing more than 600 pounds can just disappear.

On a small hill, a safe distance from the "island", I waited to see if the moose would re-appear. After almost an hour, large ears appeared but the wrong colour. Out from the willows, appeared a lovely White Tailed Deer doe who meandered up the hill. She then rejoined a small group of does a small distance to the west, who also appeared apparently from nowhere but was actually from another marsh area tall in vegetation where they returned and disappeared to graze.

Beavers do "cut" down trees to engineer their dams and lodges but all the vegetation is also used, including the bark and leaves for food. As we cut down more of their natural habitat for roads and new housing developments, we push them into smaller spaces.  Sometimes, they are referred to as destructive but they create much needed eco-systems, where birds and mammals can survive & thrive in areas where they would probably be pushed out by urban development.

So Beavers! Am looking for those opportunities to photograph the engineers behind these wild spaces. Canada Day is fast approaching! :) In the interim, thanks for all the other opportunities you have provided.

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