Busy Beavers

At this time of year, beavers are working hard to ensure they have their winter pantry well stocked. Once the lakes freeze over, they have to rely on the branches they have stockpiled on the bottom of the lake near their house to feed them. The amount and quality of the food will determine whether the colony -- usually a pair and three to five kits -- will survive the winter. These caches can range up to a full cord of wood (4' X 4' X 8', for a standard cord, for those of you who don't chop and stack often enough to know these things) Since winter is drawing closer, the beavers are in over-drive ensuring they have their winter sorted, and it's a good time of year to see them at work. Dams have to be plugged and strengthened, lodges need to be windproof and solid, and that food pile... November really is the basis for that expression "busy as a beaver." Thanks to Gerry Webb for this wonderful photo of a beaver heading for his 'root cellar' in Algonquin Park this week. #beavers#wildlife #muskoka #bondivillageresort #explorersedge