Remember when I said I was not in possession of all the facts in the beaver saga?
Turns out that was an understatement.
I walked down to the creek today to take a look at what’s going on and found the water level almost back to the original place and the two breaks in the dam substantially repaired.
Woo Hoo! Mr. Beaver is still alive!
Then I walked in a big loop through the fields and came back near the creek. I looked up and there was a man and his dog by the upper dam. A man with a hoe.
To my credit, I did pause for thought about whether or not to have a conversation with him. I decided, what the heck, it’s a free country and I walked over and we struck up a dialog.
The gist of the man’s position is that he objects to all the trees being felled, and that there are mosquito issues in the summer with the standing water in the ponds.
I put forth my desire to observe the beaver and relished the opportunity to see a wild animal in action.
I fully acknowledged to him that Mr. Beaver was a destructive force to the trees. But that he also had created a pond where geese, herons and ducks had moved in last year.
We parted on friendly terms, and he admitted that he was losing the battle because the beavers won’t give up.
I also found out that the city had come and dismantled the original lower dam in the late fall as they were worried about too much water backing up. [I think this is silly, because when the water is high, it just goes over the dam] AND we have a self limiting situation with water in that creek. There are no rains in the summer and the whole thing pretty much dries up. Or slows to a mere trickle.
Anyway, I was comforted somewhat to know it was a private citizen who was meddling. Like I said, it’s a free country and he has a point about the trees. My point was that Mr. Beaver has a place in the grand scheme of things too.
It’s not a cut and dried situation. This much is clear.
(No, Mr. Beaver is in charge of the cutting isn’t he?)
Who’s asking you?
I stand convicted of assuming government interference, when there was none ... at least not right now... our neighbor was also responsible for the white pipes that divert some of the water.
I’m glad I stopped to talk.
And it’s only fair to point out that he does have a legitimate grievance.
Me?
I just want to see Mr. Beaver in action. And I’m glad to know there are wild things in my neighborhood.
Heck.
*I’m* a wild thing.
[album 65561 pics.raters.jpg]
Serves her right for assuming the worst.
The government is not all bad.
Yeah, they do some things right.
Yeah.
What things?
Nothing comes to mind at the moment.
I’ll think of something eventually.
Take your time.
Thank you.
You’re gonna need it.