One thing that Skip Lisle said many times when he was here was that the principal of beaver life is dynamism. Things change. Beavers habitats change. They are constantly adjusting and altering. Dams fail and lodges get worn out and feeding areas expand or retract. Nothing beavers create is permanent, and unlike humans they have no investment in permanence. They do things that work for a while, and then do other things that work better.
This morning you could see several examples of this adaptable spirit. The first came when we spied wet tracks north of the lodge and heading into the blackberry bush. A yearling emerged with sticks and scrabbled up the thorny path to work on this mysterious new addition. He may be making space for himself in anticipation of the new brothers and sisters coming soon, or he may be repeating a pattern that dad started while planning to get out of the house and give mom some time alone with her new brood. He may just be practicing for his eventual dispersal, but the path was very dark and muddy and had clearly been traveled several times.
(Speaking of the much anticipated event, it was mentioned along with Luigi’s store in today’s Contra Costa Times.)
On the other side of the Marina Visa bridge a second yearling was munching on tulle roots, pulling them up from the bottom of the river, carefully washing them with his dexterous paws, and then chewing loudly. Apparently they’re like potato chips: you can’t eat just one. Opposite this bridge was another beaver buried in tulles and cleverly avoiding all attempts to photograph. The secondary dam looks a little more official and everything is getting more springy and green.
Beavers try new things, abandon old habits, and combine workable solutions with enviable ease. They don’t quit too soon, or keep trying when things are futile. They seem cheerfully certain of how just much effort to apply. I’m sure we can all learn from their dynamic example.
Heidi P. Perryman, Ph.D.
