Good news from the destroyed Martinez dams. Last night Moses went out to check on their stewards and saw the little beaver calmly swimming about. I also heard back from our local CDFG warden that no depredation permit had been requested in the area, which is very good news. He speculated it might be the last effort by the city to clean up the creek before the rains came and their not allowed in. Of course there were still felled trees, shopping carts and bags of trash in the area, but at least they got rid of that pesky pair of beaver dams!
We’re just glad the little fellow is fine. I’m going to assume the parents are too. Thanks, Moses.
I personally found the news of a new beaver dam in Concord too irresistible and made Jon drive us out there to explore. Turns out the VERY best place to see this new creation is on the Willow Pass Rd bridge which stretches across the actual walnut creek. There aren’t many trees (willow or otherwise) in the area so these beavers must be living on reeds and grasses. The dam on the left is more established, but the one on the right is just starting out and letting a lot of water through. Very cool to see in the middle of shops and freeways though.
Whenever I see a dam like this, obviously done in two stages, I wonder if two different beavers were working at the same time? Or if a parent was working and the youngster just wanted to copy? I especially wonder about them not meeting up in the middle. Is it wisdom or haphazard that makes the dams constructed on a jagged line instead of a straight one? I have to assume it’s better in some way for them, easier or more durable, since they are not known for wasting energy! Here’s a closer look at both halves, but I can’t imagine you not going to look for yourself, because it’s very close to REI and World Market anyway.
Of course it made me think of this song, written and performed by Lynn Quinones with some of our favorite festival friends.
