Beaver friend Nancy May of Michigan was kind enough to provide a beaver account for my soon to be finished urban booklet. It’s such a nice read that I thought I’d share it here, while I’m busy impeaching. Enjoy!

Mackinac’s Beaver Family

 

About 7 years ago, an amazing thing happened on Mackinac Island: A beaver pair built a lodge near the shoreline on the edge of town. Beavers were trapped to near-extinction here a 100 years ago. The local community was excited and I was ecstatic! A chance to photograph them close-up! They soon got used to my presence and went about their business uninterrupted.

I started to post my pictures on a local blog and much to my surprise, I soon had a large following. I tried to learn as much about this creature as possible so I might interpret the behaviors I was witness to. In turn, I told their story as it unfolded over the following years.

It was an incredible learning experience for so many! Tourists were able to see them in their natural habitat and they soon became a “point of interest” on the Island, competing with many natural wonders. Their lodge was just a few feet from the shoreline on a path that 100’s of people took daily on their bike ride around the Island.

It was clear that beaver parents are wonderful at caring for their young and that they are second only to man as architects!! Their lodge was destroyed by storms 3 times and the locals brought branches for them to re-build; And they did- in just 2 or 3 days.

To this day, I get notes from people thanking me for their story. I am hopeful that attitudes will change towards this amazing animal and people will see them for the eco-engineers that they are and welcome their presence.

Nancy May

Mackinac Island, Michigan