New Neighbors

Last year, as I watched from lake's edge a baby, wood duck made his lone way around the cove at "beaver time". I always said a prayer for the vulnerable, little guy out on the big lake. This year, he has returned with 2 females and 1 now roosts in the nesting box in our end of the cove!
People down the way have cut off my direct access to the beavers. I must watch from afar or traverse a long climb. This forces me to choose between watching God's sky painting or the comings & goings of the beavers. God has a way of overcoming man's obstacles & has honored me in choosing to surmount my tiny woe. Beavers are said to care for their young 2-3 years, before sending them into the big, wide world. This year, their offspring made their new home up in our end of the cove! They are just across from the dock from which I gaze in awe at His creations. Without leaves on the trees, I can literally stand in my living room & watch as they make their new burrow, down below! God in His infinite grace & mercy brought the beavers to me ! I am honored & I am humbled! SELAH !

Beaver Point

As promised, here is a view of the landing where I watch for the beavers. There is even an exit at the corner of the bushes. I sit at the water's edge, hidden next to that growth. Above & behind the split in the seawall is the main entrance to their burrow. They safely make their way behind the wall to any of a half a dozen egresses.


I mistakenly assumed that they eat fish. They primarily feed upon the soft, under-layer of bark. Here is the main opening to the burrow. Both images show how hard at work they have been, stockpiling for the winter. They do not hibernate, but may sleep for weeks at a time. They raise their young over the winter, so I anxiously hope for new neighbors in the spring!!

Perceptions in the Dark

Years ago, my momma had eye surgery that left her eyes patched for a time. Her other senses were greatly heightened with her vision shut off from the light. She tells how noisy the hospital ward was at night & of the nearly silent padding of the nurses' rubber-soled feet as they made their rounds.*
Once, the beaver slapped a warning as he overheard the night-time whispers I shared with my brother, high atop the ridge. I have been venturing forth to the lake by moonlight, or no light, this past week. Traversing the path, my feet & pants are already soaked by the time I reach the water's edge. I have noticed how the eye is drawn to any light it can find while in the dark. In drawing, I have been teaching of the use of value. "The brain perceives light as close & that darker shades recede." As I stare motionlessly at the lake, I must be intentional to keep my eye focused on the mirror-like surface. It takes all of my resolve to keep my eye from passing car & train lights, or from traveling to the dam's pale, reflection.
The late change to daylight savings' time has led me to the lake too early to witness much beaver activity. Though out of my view, I have had some wonderful sightings as they work to cover the entrances to their tunnels for hibernation. Sitting on the landing, with but a small clump of brush between us, I can now discern many of their sounds. There are different & distinct blurps as air bubbles break the surface upon their entry or exit from their burrow. The gentle dragging of branches into place is nearly inaudible. There are both grinding & scraping sounds. All are very slow & deliberate. It is amazing, & a little unsettling, knowing they are so close & sharing the bank with me. The sound of small trees being felled across the water is done in such a way as to be nearly silent. Beavers truly do live up to their reputation of being "shy & reclusive". I love the challenge of watching them & feel honored when I am blessed to do so.


I can only make this image out when it is sized to full screen & I am sitting in a darkened room. I sized it larger than usual in hopes of sharing with you some of night's beauty on the lake. (It would be amazing if printed to it's original size of 38"x 50.33"!) To my surprise, this post-dusk image appears to have captured a beaver! Holding the camera steady, propped between my knees, took much of my attention... but, what looks like a beaver appears in only once in a series of 18. Perhaps he broke the surface, & upon seeing me, slipped silently back under, undetected as my eye was drawn to a shimmering silver wake farther out. This is the 2nd to last photo & the only one with the darkened silhouette. The shot that follows has a shadowed wake. Though unseen by my eye, my camera seems to have captured him !

* (Please keep her in prayer as she faces life-changing eye surgery on Monday.)

Beaver Watch

A dense cloud cover muted nearly all light from the rapidly waning moon as I quickly pulled on jeans & a sweatshirt. I grabbed my camera, binoculars, & carry-along seat cushion that would protect me from the morning dew. Once clear of the forest's shadows, I comfortably made my way through the tall grasses with just enough light to discern the concrete landing as I approached it. I was just beyond where this shot was taken some months ago. (Concealed in the shadows to my left, was the scene I posted Sept. 29, "Why Get Up So Early?"). I have rushed up before & startled the beaver from the nearby bank. This time I paused in the grass before stealthily creeping across the landing to the water's edge & squatting down. While "watching", it is best to make only necessary movements & to make them in small increments.
I kept my eyes steadily on the area of the lake that shown with the reflection of the predawn sky. Before I could shift to sit, a v-shaped glint flashed across JUST the other side of the duck house. The water level was such that the beaver was a mere 20 feet from me!! & nearly at eye level!! He swam back & forth 3 times, scouting for hidden dangers. My presence went undiscovered & he sounded no alarm. The head & wake of his mate soon followed & headed directly across the lake. They were out for one last, relaxing swim before tucking themselves in their burrow for the hours of light. He remained, making short laps, back & forth, JUST before me !!!! Several times, he turned to face me, but the slight breeze was in my face & I made no move. Had he seen me, he would have sounded an alarm to his mate & disappeared under the surface. Knowing this, it was exhilarating, rather than chilling to have him so close & coming towards me. After upwards of 15 laps across a small part of my vision, he headed off to my left.
I knew they would be gone for some time, so I settled down, silently with my hot cup of coffee & my time alone with my Lord. I never took my eyes from the mirror-like surface of the lake. Not ten minutes later, he returned to swim in front of me another dozen-plus, laps. Once, rolled over revealing lighter colored fur under his chin. I have never heard this about beavers, but I can say with certainty that I have clearly seen it. After a few more laps, he abruptly stopped & stared directly at me. I was no longer concealed by darkness. I braced myself for the impending slap of the water from his tail, a signal to his mate to stay away. It is quite like someone has dropped a bowling ball from a great height & is even more amazing so close. I sat for some 15 minutes, before I saw one of them make their way to the far end of the wooded point. After some time, I heard the bubbles as one, or both, descended into the tunnels of their burrow. What an awesome way to start my day!!!!!
After a very long & full day, I headed out to regather my peace & watch the final rays of the set sun light up the uppermost clouds. I had hardly made it to the lake's edge when the she-beaver made her way across to the big forest. The male always heads out first, in a particular path to check for danger. When it is clear, she follows along a diagonal line towards the forest. This is the only way I can tell one from another. I felt so very, very blessed to end my day as it had begun...blessed by the furry, little nose & shimmering wake of one my neighbors, the beavers.

Morning Wake

I have been running from school to 3rd grade homework to scouts, funeral home, soccer, PTA... I stole half an hour & went shooting. I captured some nice things I wanted to share. I want to get back to "Attention to Detail" rather than the wrestlings of my heart.
With less than 1/2 an hour, I went out to see the rising lake waters. Though it was too dark, I grabbed my camera anyway...habit. Passing above the cove, I spooked the Great Blue Heron. His reptilian shriek pierced through the forest & I caught a glimpse of his massive gray wings in the dawning light. His return to our southern cove is a sure sign of seasons' change.
I sat on the dock for a time. I was awed by the stillness of the muddy water. There were no rings from fish, let alone the early morning school I am accustomed to. I made my climb up from the dock. Once I was on the level earth of the glade, I cast one last look back. There was the beaver !!! A gorgeous wake he cast. I would typically see only his head, but this time, he nearly came out of the water.I rarely see him out so late, but the thickness of the silt must have frustrated his hunting. I recalled my camera & fired off this one image. The lighting is never adequate for me to take a shot, & so my sightings remain for the film of my soul...I took it to share with you, so that however blurry, you have a glimpse into the beauty he casts upon the lake's surface.

Evening Watch

I am getting comfortable with the beaver's schedule, once again. I went down to where they come out each evening and was right on time...His wake is so cool. We have a small collection of beaver sticks..the old and used ones they have discarded.... washed up on the landing.

Growing up, we used to pass a creek that beavers' would dam up. Later on, a friend in Virginia showed Tom and I a beaver lodge that was maintained on his property. These are images I always held of beavers...until we moved here, adjacent to "Beaver Point". Beavers will burrow in the banks of a water body rather than go to all the trouble to build a lodge. Soon, they will have sticks covering their entryway, but right now, they have the doors flung open for a nice spring airing out......