Barry Beaver

 Yes, he is awake. I took a walk beyond the shed, down the hill. MiniFred has her burrow under the shed. 

The snow has melted, and it appears that Barry's path is open. Beavers were decimated in the old days. Hunted and trapped their number went way down.

Nov. 25, 2025

The water is really high, despite a drought last year. This is good as the water gives Barry shelter and protection from the coyotes, fisher, red fox, and other critters that circled his dam in winter. 

From the hill, I spotted Barry in the water. Well, truthfully, I spotted the water moving as he ducked under the ice for safety. 

He's been working on the trees.

Walking around the edge of the wetland I was careful, it is quite damp!

I found a new lodge. With the leaves down it is easier to see it.

They are masterful builders!

 

This is the path he uses to come and go.

   

 This is how I spotted the 2nd lodge.

 

Easter fun & syrup making

 Easter is here. We had so much fun when the grandies were young. 

I set the table.

Caitlin and I planned the menu. Mary Burke's Pancetta Pork Tenderloin.

The kids arrived Saturday, having picked Jordan up at the train station in Smiths Falls. We had our dinner, and a sleepover. 

We visited the Mapleworks Open House at the Oliver's. They have chicks.

They boil the sap, which is collected by long lines winding their way through their forest. 

They have issues with bears, squirrel, and raccoons nipping the lines. They are vigilant. The system relies on reverse osmosis.

A trapper had a display, showing a breached beaver dam.

Skunk, coyote and fisher pelts.

This was the neatest educational display. It shows various skulls. There is a list of names with a button that lights up the correct skull.

As always they have wagon rides. It was pouring rain, sadly, but people had fun.

Spring is here!

I happily report critters returning, or arising from slumber, aside from those fierce winter survivors. Plants and flowers? Precious little action. Just daffodils and tulips beginning to emerge.

MiniFred was working to find some grass. Eventually, the snow melted. This is the burrow where Fred gave birth to miniFred and her 3 siblings. The coyote was spotted on camera with one in their mouth. 

MiniFred has been active. She's been eating my Yucca plants. Who can blame her? This is the safety burrow, when one is eating and a predator comes on by. Good Bunny Labbit used it in winter. 

On Wednesday I was in the forest and Barred Owl flew away from me. Archive photos! 

Phoebe flies south for winter. They are back to mate and raise babies!

Fred has been renovating. 

In the audio from the video, I could hear Phoebe, and the Barred Owl, while I watched Fred. Can you identify them by sound? Phoebe says PHEEEE BWEEE, and the owl says, 'Who-cooks-for-you!'

Fred was doggy digging! 

It looks like phoebe is exploring building a nest in the shed. They've nested under the deck for several years. It's not as safe in the shed. 

 

I went to check on Barry Beaver, and sure enough, he's been a busy beaver. More on him later. 

After that I put my feet up and sat on the front deck! 

Saturday's Critters

Our Ottawa kids are coming over Saturday. Even Jordan is coming from Kingston. We haven't seen him since Christmas. He is a busy student. 

I do like the hawks. This is from last year. 

 It was screeching something in hawk-speak: 

I could hear this one yelling at someone. I have my days when I could yell! Merlin tells me this is a red-shouldered hawk, but I think our frequent flyers are the Broad-winged.

 

Here is Butch playing King of the Castle!

   

 There seems to be a young one in this pack. 

   

 They arrive at dusk, and when someone was doing his dish washing chores! 

 

Space, Fred and Barry

First, we watched the space launch. It takes a village. 

Here on Earth, close to home, I am happy seeing miniFred. At least I think it is the young one. Hard to tell! She is hypervigilant.

She climbs on the rock and looks around.

I explored, and she's been working on her entrance/exit, 

and reopened the one at the back of the shed.

The critters work hard to find food and live a good life. This is Barry Beaver's work. I was fascinated, since the sap is dripping. Barry is still frozen in the wetland in his dam.

Cinnamon snuggled in the cat house.

These temperature fluctuations are awful! March 30 vs. March 31...

The daffodils are arising from slumber in the back yard. There is hope.