March has brought us the strangest liony-lamby weather, boldly defying either label. It is brilliant sunshine one moment that makes you squint in every direction and then dark blasting rain the next that sounds so heavy we keep looking for the hail and see only fat pounding drops on the pavement.
Since its beginning defied all description I’m sure it’s end will be equally bizarre. But yesterday there were enough sunny moments to visit the little beaver dam near our house and snap this,
Apparently this little dam is built to last. Being after a river curve it gets less direct water force directed at it. And since it cleverly incorporates that long fallen tree, it has a base to rely on. The interesting part is that it was about originally 5 feet downstream and someone cut that tree (not a beaver) and tossed it into the creek. After their dam was destroyed in the fall they thought, hey! Let’s just move up 5 feet and use that windfall!
Lemonade out of lemons.
This is why beavers are going to outlive us all. A-D-A-P-T is their middle name!
We met a woman on the bridge who said she had actually SEEN a beaver there three mornings ago, before dawn. This is the first sighting I’ve heard about and am very happy to know. That little dam will need lots of new mud soon, maybe we’ll have to pay them a visit to watch the repairs,
Megan Murrell is a talented artist in Minneapolis Minnesota who creates beautiful water color images from her observations of nature. She was happy to donate this little beaver to our auction, and said he was one of her favorites. Megan uses watercolors and gouache paints to get this unique work. When you see this in person you will understand why.
Megan was one of the gracious donors who actually thanked ME for asking her to contribute! Honestly I wish she lived closer, because I know she’d make lots of friends at the festival.
Hello Heidi!
Reading your story is bringing me so much joy. This is honestly the driving force behind my work so I am SO pleased that you reached out to me. Creating artwork is such a joy, but it is even greater when my artwork makes a difference in terms of conservation.
I would LOVE to donate a framed and matted beaver print. I have one ready to go as I type this out. Would you be interested in a few more smaller wildlife pieces? Look over my listings and let you know. If I sent any other wildlife pieces I would send them to you matted and packaged in cellophane.
Honestly, you never know what the response will be when you ask for a donation. But I never even dreamed of this one. I can’t imagine what it’s like to see the world through a lens of so much talent and kindness.
The next time you are looking for an exceptional gift for that nature-loving friend, you must visit her shop and thank her. Go browse her shop and see what a treat her talent is to behold.
