beavers (look)

[arctichomesteader]

These beavers have been unusually tolerant of my presence and most mornings I'm there, they are out and active. I figure their isolation has kept humans away from them for the most part. The pictures don't do their work justice, this pond is enormous, with 5 different dams to form it. These pictures show the most narrow part. In these pictures, the beavers were eating, watching me while my dying camera beeped and turned itself off multiple times before working.

[lifelongMOgal]

Very cool, thanks for sharing. Have you considered setting up a motion activated game camera w/ infra red & video capabilities? You could put it on a metal T-post and leave it to catch their activity at different times of the day. Bushnell sells one for under $100 via Sam's Club.

[fisheye]

The beaver's warning (the tail splash) has startled me on numerous occasions. I would be out fishing and not paying attention and it sounds as if somebody just went overboard.

One time I even got a bath from one of these warning splashes. The kicker is that I did not know the animal was right along side of me.

[arctichomesteader]

Yeah, I've been splashed myself by beavers. It's interesting that the beavers can tell when something dangerous is around though when I can't. While watching this pond, a couple times they splashed and went in their lodge and I saw nothing, initially. Then I saw a bear once and a fisher another time.

I've got a game camera out but not at that pond. I've heard some rumors of a wolf in another area and have it out to try to get a picture if it's there. Nothing yet, could of just been mistaken identity, or it could have just passed through...

[Nanny Goat]

They're adorable. And, they look chubby.

[dizzybint]

In Scotland the beaver were reintroduced in 2009 after an absence of four hundred years...

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by dizzybint

In Scotland the beaver were reintroduced in 2009 after an absence of four hundred years...

We have always applauded the beavers for being industrious. However; the beaver's activities can go contrary to humanity. They will dam up our lakes and it can push water over unsafe earthen dams – instead of the water going down the concrete spillway. They can also turn large areas to swamp or lake. They will also rebuild quickly when we remove their troublesome dams.

They are our friends in the deep woods and enemies when they get too close.

Just out of curiosity; does Scotland still have virgin woods and wet land?

[J5K5LY]

I have a question. Do beavers only live in fresh water? I live across from a huge salt marsh and when hiking in the woods that surround it, I see dammed up places but don't know if it is natural or maybe there are beavers.

[dizzybint]

Originally Posted by fisheye

We have always applauded the beavers for being industrious. However; the beaver's activities can go contrary to humanity. They will dam up our lakes and it can push water over unsafe earthen dams – instead of the water going down the concrete spillway. They can also turn large areas to swamp or lake. They will also rebuild quickly when we remove their troublesome dams.

They are our friends in the deep woods and enemies when they get too close.

Just out of curiosity; does Scotland still have virgin woods and wet land?

Yes the beavers have been placed in an area with the proper trees and surroundings, but yes Ive heard about them being a nuisance too...from some friends in Canada.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by J5K5LY

I have a question. Do beavers only live in fresh water? I live across from a huge salt marsh and when hiking in the woods that surround it, I see dammed up places but don't know if it is natural or maybe there are beavers.

Is is possible that the ponds they are making are fresh water and not salt water? They could be capturing fresh water runoff that is going into the salt marsh?

I always thought of beavers as opportunist. They move into an area until the 'logging' gets too difficult or they run out of their favorite trees. Then; they will move on.

I was always amazed that more beaver were not killed as their trees fell. I know that I would not want have my teeth pressed up against the actual place where the tree breaks! Many humans have died trying to fell trees – and we think we know what we are doing.

As far as determining whether it is beaver; look at the brush in the dams. Beaver do not cut straight through a branch or a tree. They cut off large branches and trees at about a forty five degree angle – they have to allow space for their heads; unlike a saw blade. Even the smaller branches that they eat are cut at an angle.