"ON THE BEACH"

Beaver (North American) - 7 Photos

It's Spring & the beavers are beginning to appear around sunset, trying to pack on as many calories to make up for any weight lost over the winter months.

Unlike bears, they don't hibernate. Beavers do venture out during the colder months providing there is ample open water in their ponds to allow for safe passages to and from the lodge, to gather fresh trees & branches. However, depending upon the water depth, there may be long periods where they are lodge bound because of ice. And honestly, although I do get on with my family, I cannot imagine being cooped up in a small one room home with maybe five or more family members for weeks at a time. Beavers probably do sleep more during the winter months but it's no wonder when they resurface as Spring finally arrives and the pond ice has melted, tempers can be a little short. No one, including other beavers, want to test a grumpy beaver. :) 

So before that major dam and lodge repair can be started, it's time to get down & find Spring's first bounty. Over the years I've noticed that beavers exiting the ponds, head for thick mounds of dried grasses that hide thick woody shoots (Photo #4). And for beavers with long nails at the end of their front hands, digging into banks of earth like badgers, reap great rewards (Photo #5 & Photo #6).

Having temporarily fueled up, it's back to the beach and eventually back into the water. And what could be more Canadian than a beaver posing with a sprinkling of snow on our tail and body (Photo #7).

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7