Blessed by Nature's Bounty

May 23, 2018

(Internet)

If I told you that we just saw a pair of beaver 150 yards from our house, would you believe me? How about a moose? Maybe turkeys or deer would be more credible. Well, folks, in the last week or so, it's been all that and more. Read on!

Since I am a moose nut, I will start there. Spousal Unit was the first to spot the moose, the evening of Mother's Day! Casually looking out the window. "What's that?!" led to a scramble to the spotting scope. And what should our wondering eyes behold but a cow moose grazing on the far side of the lake. We took turns at the scope until she trotted into the woods and out of sight. (I jokingly accused him of 'arranging' for her to be there for Mother's Day.)

Let me remind you that we have been in Montana for just over a year (we arrived May 3, to be precise) and have seen only one other moose, a fleeting glimpse on the side of the road when my younger brother and his wife were visiting. So, I would be within my rights to think this was another rare encounter, not to be repeated. Guess again. The next day, hoping against hope, we strolled to the lake in the early evening. Before we knew it, she was behind us and approaching. Check out this video. (Adrenaline was pumping, folks - don't know how I kept my phone as still as I did.)

Since this video, she has put in an appearance (at least, when we were looking) twice. We believe we have seen a different moose as well (larger, perhaps a male). Seems our valley is a good neighborhood for the largest member of the deer family, which requires habitat with adequate edible plants, cover from predators, and protection from extremely hot or cold weather.

Mother's Day was a bonus day, let me tell you. While scanning the shoreline for the cow moose after she sauntered into the woods, we spotted a couple of sleek bodies sliding on and off a wood platform. Otter? Mink? A closer inspection identified a pair of beaver. And the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place.

Culvert on April 22

Our lake has a man-made earthen berm with a culvert designed to control water flow out of the lake. In recent days, when my running route would take me across the berm, I noticed planks of wood, reeds and mud piled in and around the culvert. I assumed water had drawn these elements to the culvert. But now we had a different theory: beavers at work, damming the flow. Since then, we have located the lodge, and last night, the incontrovertible proof: we saw a beaver carrying items to the culvert and climbing upon it. Eureka! Meanwhile, the partner stood atop the lodge at the other end of the lake, nibbling at recently cut aspen. Can you believe it? I saw it myself, and I can hardly believe it!

Culvert today

The water level has gone up at least three inches due to their efforts. I know this because we had placed the trail cam on a log at the edge of the lake - accessible without going in the water. Yesterday morning, to retrieve the cam, I waded into ankle-deep water!! Nature's engineers, doing what they do best. The irony in this? Our HOA was planning to repair the culvert, and perhaps the berm as well. Maybe our prayers were answered in a way we never expected!

Now our lake is a reflecting pool!!!

So, now that we have all of that excitement out of the way, here are photos retrieved from the cam.

Upper left - raindrops are falling ...

I am wondering why the beaver did not show up in any of these, but oh, well, you can't have everything!

And a couple of pictures from earlier in the month, when I had the cam in our 'woods'.

And when I don't go to Nature, it comes to me. This cheeky squirrel is testing out the patio furniture directly outside our dining room sliding doors.

Of course, critters are not the only aspects of Nature around these parts. I get a real kick walking around our property and the 'neighborhood', breathing in the freshness of Spring.