Last week, when we approached the bog where the beavers have set up, we spotted this scene on the other side of the trail.

On a mid-week late evening, we visited the far bog where beavers are making their latest local community. Not every visit leads to any excitement but we were lucky this day. This beaver suspected we were around but apparently wasn’t sure where. I caught this image as he paddled toward us. Moments later he saw us and with a tremendous slap with his tail, went deep while simultaneously reversing direction.

It is time for frogs and the woods to re-awaken. I heard some frog-like chirping while walking by the bog. When I approached too close, they all went quiet. But, I saw one looking at me (see him/her? at just left of center).

A look at the beaver’s house after a not-so-bad winter. There is freshly stripped wood scattered around and on top of the den.

At the far bog, more work product of the beavers is on display.

While we lack snow cover, the recent freeze solidifies the creek in the upper bog. A remnant of the previous beaver colony is a chewed off stump.

During the recent freeze, we caught the bright blue sky reflected intricately among the bog creek’s ice.

Near the advent of Winter 2015-2016 our backwoods are brown, not white; the cold air comes and goes and it only rains when it is warm.