We were enjoying a hike in our neighboring town of Faribault, on one of the last warm days of fall. The section of trail we were walking along had trees on one side and the Straight River on the other. I was looking toward the river when I noticed what looked like beaver shavings on the base of a very large tree.
We stepped off the trail to check it out, and sure enough there was evidence of a beaver, or beavers, gnawing its way around this massive tree. But we wondered, can a beaver really gnaw its way through this huge tree?
Gary couldn’t even put his arms around the tree it was so wide. Was this the work of one busy beaver, or several beavers?
I do believe if one were so inspired, you could dress for the weather, park yourself at the near-by picnic table, sit quietly, and wait for the beaver to come back to work on this massive endeavor, because it will take some time for any beaver, or a colony of beavers, to fell this tree.
Farther along the trail we saw more sightings of beaver activity…only the trees were more reasonably sized. Even so, some nice trees were being leveled. We couldn’t see the dam the beavers must be working on.
The animal kingdom is amazing…beavers born with big teeth and flat tails to construct their homes…skunks spraying nasty, unpleasant scent to protect themselves…hummingbirds, the smallest bird, having energy to migrate twice a year spanning up to thousands of miles to stay warm…
“All creatures great and small, the Lord God made them all.”*
All unique. All wonderful. All Amazing.
*From Cecil Frances Alexander’s poem: All Things Bright and Beautiful (1818)
I would like to take those beavers up to my cabin to fell a certain tree leaning towards the cabin. My brother once told me if you changed a beaver to the tree he would have it down in no time. You know which one I’m talking about Val.
Yes, I know the one! 😉
If I lived closer I’d keep checking on the progress of this beaver…
What a great post! I love the photo of Gary trying to hug a tree that some beaver teeth can fell! I also love the quote with the contrasts of God’s creation!
Thanks Starr.
Oh, Valerie! What a great post this is! I had not seen a tree being felled by a beaver before. It is amazing. Nature is so complex, creative, and wonderful!
Nature is indeed wonderful, creative and complex.
I can give you directions to see the activity when I see you this week.
You beat me to it on posting about this beaver gnawing. We couldn’t believe it when we saw that mature tree being destroyed by beavers. We’ll keep an eye on the beavers’ progress and report back to you.
Please keep me posted on the busy beaver activity. We went back to check on the tree Sunday, and it was still standing, although one could tell the beavers had been busy.