beaver sighting!

My friend and I were birding in the park near my house last week and we came across this beaver waterproofing itself in the stream. It was quite mesmerizing to watch and ended up being the highlight of the day, despite a very good showing of birds, as well.

5 Comments

by sean on October 28, 2021 • Permalink

Posted in american beaver, mammals, urban nature

Posted by sean on October 28, 2021

https://sd-stewart.com/2021/10/28/beaver-sighting/

5 Comments

Nate
/ November 1, 2021

Who knew beavers were such champions of self care?

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- sean
  / November 1, 2021
  
  Apparently they have to keep smearing themselves with castor oil (which they excrete from a sac) in order to stay waterproof. Their scientific name is even Castor canadensis, which certainly seems to highlight the importance of castor oil to their well-being.
  
  Reply
Nate
/ November 1, 2021

Whoa! That’s fascinating.

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roughghosts
/ November 4, 2021

Wow, that’s a great capture! I’ve been happy to just catch a beaver swimming. Normally I see the results of their activity—those chomped tree stumps—after they’re gone.

Reply
- sean
  / November 4, 2021
  
  Thanks! Yes, I’ve also only caught glimpses and evidence of their handiwork in the past. This was quite serendipitous and easily ended up as the highlight of the day (even despite the good diversity of birds we found).
  
  Reply