Beaver Works

Beavers, once common in Iowa were trapped out in the 1800's but were reintroduced along with wild turkeys and river otter (both of which we have seen in abundance around our home) by the Iowa DNR. This fall we started seeing tree gnawing along our creek for the first time, haven't seen the beavers working though. By the time we noticed it, a dozen small trees had dissapeared, leaving behind just the gnawed stumps. Amazing to us though, were the larger trees they started to fell during the winter while the creek was still open. We will have to hike downstream and see if we can find their den. Generally they go upstream for trees so they can float them down. They eat the bark in the winter and use sticks to build their dens.

Busy as a beavers were these beavers!