part one, the quest of the beaver's tail
Saturday, 31. May 2008, 16:38:05
part one, the first glance
this tale covers a vast array of adventures and thoughts associated with one particular subject, the beaver that lived at the man-made lake, lake trummel, in sweetwater, texas.
we take you back to mid-summer, when we first began to train tawny to be a big dog and travel with us to our favorite spots for excersise and adventure. jean luc and i have been coming to lake trummel for several years now. we've seen the waters rise and fall depending on the season and the rainfall amounts. we've seen many different creatures, plants and insects during our adventures here. but this trip was special because we had a new friend who was learning to be just like us big dogs and find adventure!
we started out on the lower slope of the plateau where there is more sand than rock, more mud than water, and much more room to roam. the great blue herrons honked and swooped over our shoulders as they announced our arrival to the lake's inhabitants. these birds are great fishermen and know exactly where to catch their lunch. jean luc ignores their flight, but tawny wants to chase them -- a futile attempt at best! the summer heat has already begun even at this early hour and our thirst is not as overpowering as our quest for adventure and learning.
the romping and roaming finished, tongues lagging, we head to the car for a drink. there we've found a shady mesquite tree to rest and ponder our next move. after a short break, i decide we should investigate the cliff side of the lake across the way. the drive is short, but slow. lots of broken pathways for this old car to manuever, but we find the way and soon find a large oak tree grove for shade. parked and instruction given for the dogs to, "stay close," we embark on our next adventure.
the rocks of the cliff hold many secrets. small houses for the cliff swallows. larger houses for the snakes' dens. layers of colored clay and sandstone fill the areas between the cedar trees above the cliff and the brush at the base. i ponder what happened during the different periods of white clay and sandstone, the black, the red, the orange, and then back to the white eras that form a timeline much like the rings of an old oak tree. the swallows are taking flight to get their drink from the lake and we follow their path down to the shoreline. it is a muddy area with a few cattail patches and other various swamp-like vegetation thrive (along with the red-winged black birds). in the clearing on the shore we find a spot with a few big boulders for us to sit and take in the wonderful view.
the blue herrons are across the way fishing out their supper, the swallows have quenched their thirst and head for the latest swarm of insects to eat (poor dragon flies). overhead there are a number of turkey vultures soaring with the breezes, also looking for a meal. i decide we've pondererd enough, so we begin the art of training. the object is for tawny to stay close enough to see me, yet allow her enough room to run free. she is in such a state of happiness, you can see it in her eyes. her excitement has rubbed off on both jean luc and me. we run right out there with her in the mud and the bugs -- without a care in the world. we race towards the end of the shoreline where the cove springs forth life for the desert willows and many, many dragon flies! ah, the shade feels so good and the breeze blows through the braches making for a restful visit.
well rested and refreshed, we head back towards the cliffs and the next adventure. this time, i require the pack to stay close together -- no more roaming and romping free. as we approach the shoreline that leads to the cliff banks where the water runs straight up and into the rock, there is a big splash and an animal swims out to the middle of the water. curious, i get my binoculars only to see a very large beaver. full tail, full of brown fur, and full of energy fleeing the safety of his den. his home was being invaded by strangers! his swimming is strong, his profile is low, when he dives his tail is revealed in its glory . . . . in all his glory!
i am frozen in my stance. i cannot believe my eyes. i release the dogs to roam the cliffs, but "watch for snakes." i find a large boulder above the area where i believe the beaver's den is located, and i watch and wait patiently. my patience pays off, he returns quickly and silently slipping into his den and his safety. i still cannot believe my eyes! i have never experienced a live beaver in his own habitat. i am amazed at how big he is, how streamline his body, and how well he maintains his domain! i resolve to leave him in peace and intrude no longer this day. i call the dogs and we head for the car. the heat is upon us now and lunchtime calls our bellies, so we make our leave of this wonderful adventureous day.
part two, what's the crowd doing? (for the next show, maybe tomorrow)
==================================
i have mixed feelings about this story, because it does not end well, yet it does . . . ironic as my life! part three might reveal some surprises, but the fact is that this beaver is dead. that is what saddens me. from what i understand, this area used to have a very populated community of beaver -- drought and human population have curbed them along with the cougar that roams free and gets hungry too. the coyotes have also helped to decrease the population of many a creature in this area, including the great blue herrons and their eggs! what puzzles me more is that i thought a fox was more prone to eating birds' eggs than coyotes -- i was wrong . . . coyote packs eat whatever they can and they bar no holes (even eating their own young pups as lions do when times are tough).
nature is a never-ending story of mystery and investigation (imo)! --- i hope you enjoyed the read! until next time this is another deborah show. thank you my online friends.
this tale covers a vast array of adventures and thoughts associated with one particular subject, the beaver that lived at the man-made lake, lake trummel, in sweetwater, texas.
we take you back to mid-summer, when we first began to train tawny to be a big dog and travel with us to our favorite spots for excersise and adventure. jean luc and i have been coming to lake trummel for several years now. we've seen the waters rise and fall depending on the season and the rainfall amounts. we've seen many different creatures, plants and insects during our adventures here. but this trip was special because we had a new friend who was learning to be just like us big dogs and find adventure!
we started out on the lower slope of the plateau where there is more sand than rock, more mud than water, and much more room to roam. the great blue herrons honked and swooped over our shoulders as they announced our arrival to the lake's inhabitants. these birds are great fishermen and know exactly where to catch their lunch. jean luc ignores their flight, but tawny wants to chase them -- a futile attempt at best! the summer heat has already begun even at this early hour and our thirst is not as overpowering as our quest for adventure and learning.
the romping and roaming finished, tongues lagging, we head to the car for a drink. there we've found a shady mesquite tree to rest and ponder our next move. after a short break, i decide we should investigate the cliff side of the lake across the way. the drive is short, but slow. lots of broken pathways for this old car to manuever, but we find the way and soon find a large oak tree grove for shade. parked and instruction given for the dogs to, "stay close," we embark on our next adventure.
the rocks of the cliff hold many secrets. small houses for the cliff swallows. larger houses for the snakes' dens. layers of colored clay and sandstone fill the areas between the cedar trees above the cliff and the brush at the base. i ponder what happened during the different periods of white clay and sandstone, the black, the red, the orange, and then back to the white eras that form a timeline much like the rings of an old oak tree. the swallows are taking flight to get their drink from the lake and we follow their path down to the shoreline. it is a muddy area with a few cattail patches and other various swamp-like vegetation thrive (along with the red-winged black birds). in the clearing on the shore we find a spot with a few big boulders for us to sit and take in the wonderful view.
the blue herrons are across the way fishing out their supper, the swallows have quenched their thirst and head for the latest swarm of insects to eat (poor dragon flies). overhead there are a number of turkey vultures soaring with the breezes, also looking for a meal. i decide we've pondererd enough, so we begin the art of training. the object is for tawny to stay close enough to see me, yet allow her enough room to run free. she is in such a state of happiness, you can see it in her eyes. her excitement has rubbed off on both jean luc and me. we run right out there with her in the mud and the bugs -- without a care in the world. we race towards the end of the shoreline where the cove springs forth life for the desert willows and many, many dragon flies! ah, the shade feels so good and the breeze blows through the braches making for a restful visit.
well rested and refreshed, we head back towards the cliffs and the next adventure. this time, i require the pack to stay close together -- no more roaming and romping free. as we approach the shoreline that leads to the cliff banks where the water runs straight up and into the rock, there is a big splash and an animal swims out to the middle of the water. curious, i get my binoculars only to see a very large beaver. full tail, full of brown fur, and full of energy fleeing the safety of his den. his home was being invaded by strangers! his swimming is strong, his profile is low, when he dives his tail is revealed in its glory . . . . in all his glory!
i am frozen in my stance. i cannot believe my eyes. i release the dogs to roam the cliffs, but "watch for snakes." i find a large boulder above the area where i believe the beaver's den is located, and i watch and wait patiently. my patience pays off, he returns quickly and silently slipping into his den and his safety. i still cannot believe my eyes! i have never experienced a live beaver in his own habitat. i am amazed at how big he is, how streamline his body, and how well he maintains his domain! i resolve to leave him in peace and intrude no longer this day. i call the dogs and we head for the car. the heat is upon us now and lunchtime calls our bellies, so we make our leave of this wonderful adventureous day.
part two, what's the crowd doing? (for the next show, maybe tomorrow)
==================================
i have mixed feelings about this story, because it does not end well, yet it does . . . ironic as my life! part three might reveal some surprises, but the fact is that this beaver is dead. that is what saddens me. from what i understand, this area used to have a very populated community of beaver -- drought and human population have curbed them along with the cougar that roams free and gets hungry too. the coyotes have also helped to decrease the population of many a creature in this area, including the great blue herrons and their eggs! what puzzles me more is that i thought a fox was more prone to eating birds' eggs than coyotes -- i was wrong . . . coyote packs eat whatever they can and they bar no holes (even eating their own young pups as lions do when times are tough).
nature is a never-ending story of mystery and investigation (imo)! --- i hope you enjoyed the read! until next time this is another deborah show. thank you my online friends.
WIDGETIZE