Beavers Back in Time
Crane Creek, Oregon – Part 1 1925 – 1936 Read this delightful story of one operator’s experiences when beavers were removed from his property, and then returned again.
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Beavers are American Engineers!
Not long ago, water held longer on Oregon landscapes as beavers occupied streams through every corner of the state. Waters were slowed, valley bottom floors widened over time as sediment, and rich soils built up, which increased forageable areas. These stream flows remained throughout the year, even during severe drought. All of this is thanks …
Frogs need water
Frogs need water. The word amphibian comes from Greek meaning double life- one on land and one in water. Colombia spotted frogs are a combination of olive green and light brown with a mix of black spots. They have a light-colored strip along their upper lip. Their back feet are webbed more than other frogs …
Trumpeter swan and beaver
A call like no other The beaver builds the ponds that the trumpeter swan looks for. The swan glides in with a wingspan of 8 feet. This bird is the biggest waterbird in the air, the original jumbo jet. They’re a graceful big bird, a cursive shape made up of bright white feathers and black …
Remember to Play
It’s easy to be a little jealous of otters. They have the DNA to juggle rocks, use tools, and play well with each other. They are naturally irresistible. According to Indigenous beliefs, otters reminds us of the power of play; life is a gift; don’t worry so much; stop fighting the current. Detach from problems, …
Field Report 7: (Too) Hot and Dry Summer
Boy is it hot out there! According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, June 2021 was the hottest June ever on record. At this point, in mid-Summer, our daytime temperatures continue to be well above average. This report comes from a new monitoring location, a small spring-fed tributary that feeds into the Crooked River …
Field Report 6: A side by side look at “Restoration” Projects
Earlier this year we traveled northeast Oregon to check on the progress of a 4 year long restoration project along a tributary of the John Day river. The spring-fed creek had disconnected from the valley floor through decades of accumulated erosion, and now sat at the bottom of a dramatic 15 foot high, wide valley …
Trees! Beavers! Woodpeckers!
Wildlife trees, beavers, and Lewis’s woodpecker A Lewis’s woodpecker collected by Meriweather Lewis during the early 1800s expedition is the one remaining specimen from that collection. It is kept at Harvard university. These birds need our help to boost numbers today. At least beavers are helping. How? It’s all about snags which become safe havens …
Young Beaver Dispersing in Spring
Springtime beaver dispersal It’s springtime, and beaver families are adjusting to the new year ahead. Some may be relocating to a second den area for safety as springtime waters expand and can flood out the primary lodge. (Here’s a short story on PBS, of a beaver family’s movement to a downstream location.) Young adult beavers …
Pollination and Fertilization
Bats are not flying rodents. Strange as it sounds, it would be more accurate to call them flying people. Their DNA is much closer to humans than mice or any other rodent. Bats are great for pest control and pollination. If you like to eat bananas, avocados, peaches, mangoes, rice, corn, sugarcane, beans, tomatoes… the …