There are two reasons for which you should immediately buy a copy of this issue of Bay Nature Magazine. The first is this stunning cover photo by Steve Zamek of Feather Light photography. When I first saw it I thought it must have been taken underwater because how else would that fish be suspended in mid air? Then I realized that that merganser had speared the fish and was flipping it to swallow. It’s a hair’s breadth of a split second of a snapping shutter in time during which Steve had the presence of mind to catch this photo. The title “hooded merganser contemplating lunch — or a stickleback contemplating mortality ” endears him to me greatly.
Of course I immediately invited Mr. Zamek to come photograph beavers. I’ll let you know what happens.
The second reason to buy this issue of Bay Nature is the Letter to the editor by a certain familiar beaver supporter. I’ll give you just a taste:
I enjoyed Allessandra Berjamin’s article on the San Jose beavers, but was disappointed that the issue didn’t use the opportunity to highlight the impact of beavers on biodiversity. Daniel Mcglynn’s article on outmigtation of steelhead could have triggered a discussion of beaver benefit to salmonids in general. The issue has been so consistently demonstrated by NOAA that the Methow project in Washington relocates beavers for this purpose and houses them temporarily in unused fish hatcheries.
Ahh you know you want to read the rest. Go here to buy the issue or subscribe to the best inside look at Bay Area Nature and one of the last independent magazines in the country. And if your beaver persuasion needs to be a little more catchy, try this for size. I’d tell you the tune but I assume it’s going to be obvious.
Oh dear, turtles and frogs will die
Oh dear, there’ll be no fish to fry
Oh dear, Farmer John’s well will dry
Beavers are not in the creek.
They were here first, tell the trappers to pack and scram
They will need help so they move in and start a fam
Ponds team with life because beavers are Worth A Dam
Beavers belong in the creek.
Did you sing outloud? It totally works.
