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.
