Otter By The Water – Have You Seen One In The Creek?
Local photographer and videographer Moses Silva took this shot recently of an otter sunning himself on an Alhambra Creek beaver lodge. Jim Caroompas Martinez Patch
Jim was nice enough to run Moses’ excellent photo on Patch last night, and it’s hard to think of a better Martinez Moment. I hope more wildlife comes and sits atop that tuft for their photo shoot! Green Heron, baby ducks, Mink, Muskrat. Speaking of Muskrat the WSJ reporter who gave us the excellent story of Amanda from the Lands Council is writing now about muskrat bellies.
Can we assume he’s been assigned to the “Rodent Beat?”
Muskrat Love: Exuberant Demand Pays Off for Great Lakes Fur Trappers
Newly Rich Chinese Are Swathed in Rodent’s Warm Skins, but Euro Crisis Could Damp Pelt Boom
CALUMET, Mich.—The North American muskrat market has been booming, thanks to soaring purchases by Chinese and other newly rich nations that need muskrat fur to line coats and footwear. Specifically, they want muskrat bellies, the felt-like fur that is practically impermeable to moisture. At $10 per pelt—five times what muskrats fetched in the 1990s—pelts were trading at new highs when bidding for last season’s furs ended in June.
To which I can only say “Stay Away from our muskrats in Alhambra Creek” if you know what’s good for you, and Joel I liked your beaver story better. Ew.
Finally Brock Dolman sent this excellent find of the educational string band from Santa Cruz called Banana Slug. Check out my favorite recording. I already invited them to the beaver festival, lets keep our fingers crossed!
