Add Kansas to the map of states that have now installed a flow device. I got a message this weekend from a Jamie Stewart concerned about a beaver in Coffee Creek Crossing – not the prison – the OTHER kind of gated community, on the furthest border of the state. It happens to have a stream that carries their storm water back to the creek. A enterprising young beaver had moved into the stream and was making a pond between two anxious home owners, obviously a disperser looking to make it on his own. Not only had the author of the email explained how good beavers were and talked the HOA into not trapping, but he worked with volunteers to wrap trees and install a castor master! So hurray for Jamie who got Kansas on the FD map!
Here’s a peaceful look at a Beaver pond in winter from a blogger in Michigan.
Bullfrogs and Beaver Ponds: A Spring Day in December
On December 13th, the temperature soared to a record-setting 62 degrees in Oakland County. Even though the sky was overcast and trails were muddy, that Sunday afternoon was perfect for a nature-embracing hike on the Wilder Side of Oakland County. With camera in hand, a compass in my day pack, and a spare pair of hiking boots in the car, I set off for the Ortonville State Recreation Area. The park is 5,400 acres of wildland managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that spans Genesee and Oakland Counties. That’s where this tale of bullfrogs and beaver ponds on a spring-like day in December takes
root.
An hour into my trek I noted trees freshly cut by beavers. Evidence showed they were taking advantage of the warm weather to add to their winter cache. A few moments of skin-tearing bushwhacking through prickly ash brought me to the edge of a secluded beaver pond. I was about to focus my lens on the beaver lodge when a series of splashes near the shore drew my attention. I walked slowly to the water’s edge and sat on a fallen tree to see what was making th
e noise. Suddenly, I noticed a shape out of place on top of the massive, prehistoric-looking floating root of a yellow water lily. Bullfrogs were out! There they sat, partially draped in duckweed, sitting patiently, waiting for bugs and flies and other insects that will not come.
Now mind you there is no mention of how one creature is a valued ecological engineer who makes nature richer and one is an unwelcomed resource-draining pirate who makes it poorer, but I’m a sucker for anyone who walks into nature and appreciate what he sees. Credit where credit is due.
Nice writing and observation from Jonathan Schechter, reminding us all to take a winter hike soon.
Finally a beautiful fictional Christmas Day Address to the Children from the Gone but Not Forgotten Grey Owl. Enjoy!
This is not the address that I was not allowed to give on December 20, 1937 on a BBC Radio program called Children’s Hour. I will share that with you at another time. I thought I would compose an address that I would like to give now if that were at all possible. Perhaps you know a child you could read it to. Miigwetch.
Hello children I am Grey Owl and I have come to speak with you from the wild Northern Woods of Canada. To be more truthful I am the Spirit… the Manitouwabi of the man who came to be known as Grey Owl. When I was alive I believed that I had seen the worst of what people could do. And children, I have to confess to you that I myself treated my wild brothers and sisters in ways that I am not proud. I trapped animals for their fur that I myself had no use for. I paid no attention to either the rules of law or Nature in my pursuit of the money that this killing would bring me. I am deeply ashamed of these things children. Do you know who showed me the error of my ways? Can you guess who this great teacher was? It was Ahmik, yes it was my Beaver
There are still many people who believe that Nature belongs to Civilisation and people can do whatever suits their needs in pursuit of wealth. Children, this is wrong. Nature belongs to no one. In fact, we all belong to Nature. Just as my Beaver People showed me the truth, people need someone to help them see their mistake. I believe I know who this great teacher should be. It is you children. I believe you all still know in your hearts how wonderful The Wild is and that it needs to be taken care of. It is up to you to spread the word to all the adults. Tell them you want The Wild to be alive and well when you are grown up. Tell them that all of Your Wild Relations have the right to live a happy life in their wild home. Tell them to stop destroying them and their homes just to make more money. Can you do this?
I know you will be the heroes this world needs. Remember that I am there with you, on the wind, in the water and everywhere your Wild Relations call home. Good bye.
Ahh that was lovely, thank you Archie. We’ll not forget what you taught us.
