Martinez Beaver Kits – Worth A Dam

Surrounded by beavers

heidi08 Beaver Behavior, Beavers, kits, Video, Why We Care June 10, 2013

Yesterday was weirdly windy as the weather transitioned from hot to cold in a decidedly unsummerlike fashion. I know our windows were rattling and debris was rolling down the streets. When we went down to see the beavers that night we discovered they had had their own little “windfall”. At first we thought a beaver had probably chewed it, but as you can see from the trunk there are no gnaw marks. This particular tree always leaned out over the water so far no beaver without a ladder could sink their teeth into it. So it did something even better. It decided to kindly fall over directly parallel to the dam. Last night I saw ducks, birds, herons, and beavers celebrate its good fortune. It would be nice if the city cleaned up every other fallen tree in Martinez before they got to this one so the beavers could make their job easier. But last night I am sure they lived like kings!

We waited happily by the primary, disturbing a great egret, a California towhee, and several green herons. This was my favorite moment from the first half of the night. Doesn’t it make you think of the story of narcissus?

quod petis, est nusquam; quod amas, avertere, perdes!

ista repercussae, quam cernis, imaginis umbra est:

nil habet ista sui;

(What you perceive is the shadow of reflected form: nothing of you is in it.)

We were greeted with a few beaver visits as various members swam out to investigate the fallen tree and whether we were friend or foe. It was almost impossible to tell who was who but I’m sure we had a cast of characters.

And then we were treated to a full “caution float” which if you are ever lucky enough to see, even though you feel like jumping up and down with glee you must be enormously patient and quiet because something truly wonderful is about to happen. Here’s what the caution float looks like.

Okay, no dangers on the bank, no drunks shouting over the fence looking for monkeys, no sharks or alligators. Dad gives the all clear. And then the wonderful thing happens, and my camera which has been pointed in the right direction since we saw the sentry, does the right thing. I know the video is too dark, (and it will get worse) but trust me it’s worth it.

Mom and baby! Ohh but this is wonderful! Not only is it still light enough to film it, and are they healthy and happy looking, but it means I don’t have to get up at 4:30 ever again until next summer! Thank the gods. But wait – why is there still only one. We haven’t seen two kits in four days. What if something happened to the other one? In 2009 all our kits died. What if…

Two kits and mom. Whoohoo! And not just two little quiet helpless kits either. But two boisterous rascals that were up on the pipe, up on the dam, over the pipe, over the dam, eating branches off the tree. And that’s when I notice that caution float beaver has moved onto our left and has come to eat branches off the generosity tree, and is sparing a little time to glare at us and remind us that no harm should befall his offspring. (“Ever hear of a country called bellarus?”)And for a moment I am surrounded by beavers. Two kits and mom tusseling in front, Dad protectively on my left (that snipping sound you hear is him cutting branches!), and Jr somewhere in the mix. Jon thinks he’s the one doing the wrestling because when he reached up later Jon didn’t see teats. That makes sense, we know yearlings parent and they definitely play.

So all is right in beaver world. The parents are really protective. Mom is very doting. Uncles are extremely indulgent, and kits look healthy and happy. I’m sure they’ll start coming out a little earlier so it won’t be quite so dark in future video, but I’m really happy that things are going so well.

Discovery

heidi08 Beaver Behavior, Video September 29, 2010

Have you ever been down to see the beavers in the morning, when no one else is there, and the only sounds are train whistles and garbage trucks? All the noisy drunks are asleep, and no one is even out walking their dogs yet?. Then a sighting seems less like ‘meeting an old friend’ and more like a Grand Discovery. That’s how it was the June morning when I first spotted this year’s kit. We only saw one at first. It took a few weeks before we knew about the TRIO.

All month I had been waking up with a sense of “ITS TIME!!!” even though it would have been much better for me to sleep for another hour. It could hardly have been rational since we never saw a kit last year and mom was obviously not well. Even though I told myself it was probably not possible, I found my groggy self in the stillness at the bridge, waiting. Foremost in my mind were two blessed mornings two and three years ago when I had stumbled down at dawn and been greeted by furry wonders. The first time, June 13th 2007, when I was alone and discovered my first ever kit will always be such a startling, dramatic memory. I can’t tell you how forcefully I didn’t expect it. Forget Dads and Grads, June is now forever the month of new kits. Every summer after I have remembered that wonder and half-expected to feel it again – I certainly wasn’t thinking about the hundreds of times I came and saw nothing. (Any truly compulsive gambler only remembers her successes.)

We were so happy to find out that we had as many as three! And have been so comforted by how finely they seem to have grown so far. Clearly they are well on their way to becoming their own beavers. October will mark their 5th month. We’ve seen them all go over the dam and forage on their own. We’ve seen them mudding and putting sticks on the dam now. But it all started with the discovery: A morning alone with wonder. When I saw this remarkable video yesterday it reminded me so much of that feeling, I thought I would share.

Out All Night!

heidi08 kits July 21, 2010

Photo: Cheryl Reynolds

The primary pond by the main dam has been a kind of playpen for our three new kits. They get to practice swimming, diving, chewing branches, and carrying sticks in the water without actually going anywhere too dangerous or far away. We’ve had a few kit explorations as they maneuver the gap and follow where the two year-old and dad go every night, but for the most part they’ve been “campouts in the front yard” very short expeditions that usually end running home in a panic.

Last night all that changed. Check out Cheryl’s Video Debut!

Cheryl was at the dam at 7:30 when she heard something down stream and looked to see a baby come back OVER the gap. Followed by kit number two!!! Clearly the rules have changed. When Jon was out at 5:30 this morning he saw the two year old by the footpridge and a kit beside him! They both ducked under the blackberry brambles and did some feeding. The kit got his very own branch and swam home with it proudly.

Our babies are growing up! Sniff!