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If you ever have the opportunity and some time to spare sit quietly and watch some beavers.  They are often out and about in the late afternoons before dark sets in. They spend a lot of time grooming their beautiful dense fur  releasing oils which keep their bodies dry. Beavers are chatty, social in their family groups, graceful in the water, waddle on land and extremely industrious. They drag limbs of trees through water channels with ease, cut down large trees with expert precision and create small lakes which in turn create habitat for waterfowl by building strategically placed dams (unfortunately not always where people wish to have land flooded).  The following photos were taken in Nopiming & Whiteshell Provincial Parks both of which have healthy populations of beavers. The mother and kit were very interesting to watch swimming together and diving down to get plant roots which they bring to the surface to dine on. Beavers played a major role in Canadian history being the subjects of the fur trade era.

Beavers spend a lot of time grooming their fur.

Their way the  beaver uses its “hands” to grasp branches or food remind me of the racoon – very nimble.

Below:  Beaver dam and lodge.  The water level on the high side was about 4 feet higher than the low side .  These beavers are master builders!

Enjoy!

~Sharon