Becca's Beaver Update: Chapter 2
Since undertaking the chore of restoring the land that our house sits on, I feel like I have become a mediator between humans and Mother Nature. About 5 months ago I told you about a challenge that I am repeatedly facing with a mating pair of beavers who (the year prior) I had affectionately named Hillary and Donald.
It was just after Donald Trump had announced that he was going to run for President in the USA. Donald, (my beaver) has kind of orange-red hair and when the wind catches it, it looks like Donald Trump's hair.
There are other reasons for the naming too, but I have learned that it's never wise to discuss religion, politics or food choices because someone always leaves the party, highly offended.
If you missed my first post about my beaver and you're interested you can read it here: https://steemit.com/nature/@rebeccaryan/the-beaver-is-busted
The remnants of plant material that you can see Donald helping himself to is my pussy-willow bush.
(I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.) Both Donald and Hillary chewed the bush right down to next to nothing and I really thought they'd killed it.
We've had really wonky "weather-patterns" this year in Canada. Lots of flooding, lots of rain, not much sun (compared to other summers) and 2 weeks ago, the temperature dropped to almost freezing and now we have lots of heat and exceptionally high humidity.
The end-result is that my pussy-willow bush doesn't know whether it's coming or going.
You can see the buds. This plant should only have these buds in the early spring. March to be precise.
I think what has happened is that the bush now thinks it's Spring again and is trying to do what it was suppose to do (before Donald and Hillary devoured it).
Your guess is as good as mine as to what this plant is going to do next.
After months of "babying" it, it's grown taller than 5 feet.
The question now is what do you think will happen next Spring?
I welcome your comments and I invite you to follow me on my journey...sometimes there will be hungry beavers.
~ Rebecca Ryan
Congratulations @rebeccaryan
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Exceptional story of beavers and plant. Shared life experience of yours very well.
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that is a funny story Rebecca.I think your plant will Bloom next spring.if you can figure out a way to keep Hillary and Donald from devouring it
Hi @cowboyk! I may try wrapping the shrub for the winter. The problem is that where it is growing, floods every Spring. I'll have to tie the wrap really securely or it will be swept away. :)
I know it's childish but I can't stop giggling when I read this :0)
The resemblance is definitly there xD
;0)
I'd say. ;D
It makes me laugh too. Oh the irony of it all. LMAO!
our last summer was wet and sunless too. we go onto daylight savings time this weekend, so are hoping for a better time this summer!
Oh enjoy your summer @kiwideb! I hope you have lots of sun. :)
@rebeccaryan
Let's ask the question here. Are they married? You could perform the ceremony for them.
Then maybe next year. You could be looking at several "little Donald's and Hillary's faces swimming around." Ha
Yes. Save the tree. If you implement my plan. Your new dependents will need it.
lol
Francis
I am certain they are a matting couple Francis. :)
I thought we'd see kits but the flooding was bad this year and we lost a lot of this year's generation of many species as a result.
It was heartbreaking to observe because I knew what was happening. We were successful at attracting a matting pair of Mute Swans...I was so happy about this. I was able to watch them build their nest, lay their eggs but then the flood came and they couldn't sit on their eggs. They all got washed away in the fast moving water. It was very sad. :(
Ha Ha. I don't blame you. Too much foolishness is enough. We all love humor. Up to a point. lol
You and @knarly327 are located in a good area. Being next to the water is the wish of many.
Yes, our weather this year has been tough some of the animal population.
Clif has been warning of changing weather patterns for some time now.
Francis
Nothing wrong with beavers, if theyre in the right place!
One thing you might try is Sepp Holzers' "Bone Sauce".
https://permaculturenews.org/2014/06/05/bone-sauce-a-tool-for-deterring-browsing/
Its non-toxic and I know it prevents deer and goats from decimating trees and shrubbery.
You might also want to try planting some willow whips near the water, giving the beaver a more enticing food.
Just an idea.
Thanks for this info @torquewrench! I'll check it out.
Our land is tiered. 3 feet of water stands on the lower level in the Spring. The first picture you see with the beaver eating, is the same plant as the one I have shown with leaves and buds. Normally when the Spring thaw is finished the water recedes but the beavers use the water level to their advantage and they aren't afraid to take a little hike to get at shrubs and trees that they want
You are a very good person trying to help the mother nature
Thank you for your kind words @stefanarnaut.
Thanks for the Gif. I love it @aborjin!
Hehe, they are just trying to have fun . Don't blame them
They were hungry!
I swear Becca, you have to be the Queen of playing with words. I don't know what I'm going to do with you lol! SMH 😂
Hahaha! Keep shaking your head, I'll start making a list. LMAO!