The beavers have been number one in dam-side cuteness for so long it must come as a shock to them that other creatures are giving them a run for their money. Remember when they were the only show in town, and a trip to the dam was entirely focused on them?
Victims of their own success, the beavers built the lovely habitat and now everyone wants a piece of it. First the squaking green heron with the telltale band, then the adorable procession of baby muskrats, followed by those hollywood mink super-starlets with their sunglasses and trailing furs… and now this! The pesky bandit family of 6,7,8 (?) are seen here showing off the very skill beavers lack (climbing) in the very place that beavers most value (willow trees)!
Faced with such an uneven playing field, the beavers have decided to fight fire with fire. Drawing from the teenage-girl-getting-attention playbook they settled in to demonstrate rarely seen behaviors in prominent trademark places to keep audience interest. You think I exaggerate? See for yourself.
Photos: Cheryl Reynolds
This beaver is sitting on the primary dam, grooming himself with his foot in the air like a ballerina from a Degas painting. Quick get the camera!
