Category: Beaver Art

Fear the Siren’s Song

heidi08 Beaver Art, City Reports August 28, 2017

Do you remember the story of Odysseus and the Sirens? He was on his way home from the Trojan war and had to pass one of the greatest perils known on land or sea. The ‘Sirens’ would sing their beautiful alluring songs and appear to sailors as beautiful, nubile women looking for a good time, but when the sailors tried to come to them they would crash to their death and be ravished by terrible clawed monsters.

Odysseus was warned of the Sirens, and wisely protected his crews’ ears with beeswax as they sailed past. But of course he wants to know what all the fuss is about, so he uses none for himself. He has the sense to have his men tie him to the mast so that even if it turns out to be irresistible, he’ll be prevented from escape.

To Odysseus, who is bewitched by the song, the Sirens look as beautiful as Helen of Troy. To his crew, made deaf with beeswax, the Sirens seem like hungry monsters with vicious, crooked claws.

The ship speds forward and no one took out their earplugs or unties the captain until the song was an echo of an echo. The grateful captain comes to and realizes what a terrible fate he was saved from.

Ever since then the road sign “Welcome to Siren” is not a sight that fills anyone with anticipation.

Siren Village Board talks animal issues

SIREN—Several matters regarding animals in Siren came before the vilage Board.

No chickens in Siren: After discussion, the board left in place an ordinance that prevents residents from raising chickens or other farm animals in the community.

Board President Dave Alden added, “We have worked very hard to clean up some places in the village and I have a hard time allowing chicken coops that may be an eyesore. I personally don’t want them.”

Alden said he has received a request from an established trapper, Scott Thomas, to change the village ordinance to allow trapping of somewater-based animals within the village. Alden said, “I think animals will cause problems in the village if we don’t remove some of the beavers, muskrats and other animals we have. That’s my opinion. It could cause us serious financial difficulties to remove them and un-dam some culverts that will be plugged up.”

Regarding who should be allowed to trap, Alden said, “I personally can name the six experienced trappers in this county,” adding that very few trappers remain.

I’m confused. Is this a Village Board meeting or the personal-feelings-of-Dave-Alden-meeting? I wouldn’t have brought donuts if I knew. I fail to comprehend why it would be a good idea to let trappers next to school grounds, but that’s just me. I’m just spit-balling here but does anyone else think that when Dave says “it’s just my opinion’ he actually means IKNOWTHEBESTSOLISTENUPEVERYONE.

Poor, poor Siren. Not only has to live with a terrible name, it has to put up with trappers in their city limits and no fresh eggs!

We finished our new banner yesterday. How do you think it came out?

Loose Beaver Ends

heidi08 Beaver Art, Burrowing Owls, City Reports, Creative Solutions, Tree-Wrap Rap August 27, 2017

Do you know that nagging feeling you get when you know you need to do something but you can’t remember what? Yesterday I finally paid attention to it and realized I was supposed to send the CCC Fish and Wildlife commission a summary of the festival with an accounting of how their grant was spent. It’s honestly really hard to remember that long ago in this beaver whirlwind. But I did the best I could.

Summary of “Working for the ecoSystem” 08-05-17

The tenth annual beaver festival was both familiar and surprising, with over 1000 attendees , 40 wildlife exhibits, a lecture on beaver benefits given BY a beaver, and for the first time unexpected beaver experts from three separate states. Each had heard about the festival and wanted to come see in person the educational component we offered. We were excited by the interest, but the many children were mostly excited about wildlife tattoos and eager to begin their treasure hunt while learning.

Rather than place the tattoos on beaver tails, we decided to help the children make nature journals with beaver chew bindings so their earnings could be proud displayed on the covers. We hoped this would let them record the nature they saw later in their own lives. The watershed stewards helped children make the journals, and Worth A Dam volunteers helped the children affix the tattoos to the covers. One of the most delightful parts of the day was watching children’s eyes light up when the watercolor images ‘appeared’ on their journals as if by magic.

About half of the children completed the simple post-test (n=48) with a 85% accuracy rating. The participating booths said that distribution was smooth and everyone admired the tattoos and wanted their own. Attached you will find the invoice for the tattoos and leatherette, as well as the printing costs for the map children used to find booths. Thank you again for supporting this wonderful eco-learning event!

This week I’m headed to Kiwanis to tell THEM how their grant was used, and give them a run down of the festival. I also plan to mention that the beavers are back and if they have any friends near Creekside Montessori to let them know to contact us to have their trees protected. Meanwhile, Jon and I are working on a little banner for the booth using our leftover tattoos. I got the idea after appreciating the neat butterfly swag they had at the butterfly garden booth this year at the festival. Why not make our own? (Although peeling off the plastic gives me RENEWED appreciation for the outstanding job Erika and Jon did at the festival.) This is about half finished – a 10 foot linen swag and we think it’s going to be lovely. We plan to use it first at the Visions of the Wild Forest Service Event we’re doing in September in American Canyon.Meanwhile I was contacted this morning by Karen Corker of Maine whose great letter I wrote about earlier. She would like access to the ecosystem poster to use for her beaver education program in Maine. In case your keeping track at home that’s three states where it’s been adopted so far.

Four if you count California.

Oh, and I included one additional item in my grant summary for the CCCFWC. This was in the New Yorker years ago. I dearly love it, but I don’t see why it’s funny at all.

The Case of Sara Aycock and the Beaver Detective

heidi08 Beaver Art August 26, 2017

If you were at the beaver festival this year and strolled by the silent auction, you were probably intrigued by something that looked like this. It was the very generous donation made by illustrator Sara Aycock of Boise Idaho. I found her on Etsy and asked if she’d consider donating to the festival.

Hers was an incredibly generous gift that made me tear up when I opened it. Each item was bid on multiple times and sold for top dollar and for good reason. Every beautiful portrait was lovingly framed, and the largest (Mr. Beaverton) was purchased by our Oregon visitor at the Beaver Ambassador program in West Linn.

At the time that she agreed to help out she told me that she had a book coming soon that the images were part of, which sounded pretty exciting.

Guess what book is available Monday through Amazon Prime?

I can’t wait to read what kind of mysteries beavers solve, and I pre-ordered my copy already. If you want yours go here and join the club. I’m not familiar with the author, but I’m sure Sara’s wonderful work would bring out the best in anyone. Read along with me so we can review the book on Amazon and boost her sales.

Beaver Solidarity

heidi08 Beaver Art, Beaver Behavior, Beavers elsewhere, City Reports, Creative Solutions, Who's saving beavers now? August 20, 2017

In Kingston Ontario, just across the border from New York, city Council member Lisa Osanic just made HISTORY by presenting arguments for no longer killing beavers but using flow devices instead in the entire city. She submitted a petition with 1000 signatures. No I’m not kidding.

Beaver Petition

Residents want Kingston to protect one of Canada’s national symbols.

Coun. Lisa Osanic presented a 1,000-name petition that urges the city to stop killing beavers, citing the practice as cruel and unnecessary. The industrious creatures are known for their dam-building abilities. The city currently hires a trapper to exterminate beavers through the use of underwater traps.

However, Coun. Osanic says there are other humane, non-lethal devices that can be used. She pointed to the City of London and Ontario’s use of flow devices to prevent beaver dam flooding. Coun. Osanic says an expert from Boston taught London city officials how the device works, and she wants local officials to be taught as well.

It was years ago that residents from Cornwall brought Mike Callahan out to install a flow device to save some beavers. This summer a petition was started to do the same in Kingston. This just goes to show the kind of RIPPLE effect that those earlier actions had. Hurray for everyone involved, and Hurray most of all to our newest beaver friend Counselor Lisa Osanic!

I heard this weekend from Kent Woodruff (USFS retired) who was in Oregon looking to connect with Suzanne Fouty (Also USFS not yet retired). Turns out now they’ll be taking a camping trip in the back woods to watch the eclipse together with friends! How beavery is that? Here in Martinez we don’t get a total but we’re still excited. This is a great resource if you want to see what to expect where you are. I don’t think the beavers have ever seen a total eclipse before but I’m assuming they’ll sleep through it. If you are looking for truly remarkable ways to record the experience or maybe keep your child curious, here’s what our good friend Jack Laws suggests.

Homecomings

heidi08 Beaver Art, Beaver Behavior, Friends of Martinez Beavers, Who's saving beavers now? August 16, 2017

Another beaver extravaganza combining the Beaver tails art exhibit, a beaver tour, and movie night all courtesy of the Nehalem watershed conservancy.

Beaver Tales: on the land and the big screen

NEHALEM — To celebrate beavers and their contribution to the ecology of the North Coast, Lower Nehalem Watershed Council, The Wetlands Conservancy and community partners are hosting the Beaver Tales Art Exhibit and accompanying events in August.

Beaver Trail tour

The watershed council and community partners will lead participants on a tour of beaver habitat sites throughout the Nehalem Watershed 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.

The tour will stop at two to four locations where participants will see different examples of active and historical beaver activity. Alix Lee, coordinator for the watershed council will lead the tour and provide narrative on beaver ecology, history and importance for maintaining healthy ecosystems on the North Coast.

Transportation between sites will be provided and has been funded by Tillamook People’s Utility District.

This event is part of Explore Nature, a consortium of volunteer community and non-profit organizations working to provide meaningful, nature-based experiences in Tillamook County.

Movie night: ‘Leave it to Beavers’

Join the watershed council at Alder Creek Farm 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, for movie night in the barn featuring the PBS documentary “Leave it to Beavers.”

The hour-long documentary examines beavers in a new light, revealing ways in which “the presence of the industrious rodents can transform and revive landscapes,” organizers wrote. “Bring a comfy camp chair and settle in to learn about these fascinating builders and brilliant hydro-engineers.”

Sometimes my jaw literally drops and hangs open to see how many good things come can come together with the right collection of people pulling the strings. Hats OFF to the wonders of this Beaver Tails exhibit, which has been like a band of firecrackers going off at regular intervals for nearly a year now. The Wetlands Conservancy really created something astounding when they undertook this massive art show. You know it got folks around the state talking and thinking about beavers in a new way.

An speaking of beavers and wetlands, here’s something to celebrate. Our own watershed wizard Igor Skaredoff gave the Stanislaus rescue crews something to do this sunday and after a misplaced night was very politely found the following morning. Igor has all the skills and insights of a lifetime of mountain climbing, so I can’t think of anyone more suited to the task. He was also the first member of the beaver subcommittee to see that I might actually be saying something worth listening to so, God bless him. And hurray for safe homecomings!