9th
2007
Beaver Damming: Rare footage of a beaver actually damming a creek. The beaver was closing up a creek that we regularly cross as we walk the snowmobile trail in the woods behind our house. Laurie took it upon herself to try and clear the dam of brush in the hopes that the beaver would become frustrated with having to constantly rebuild the dam. No such luck. Laurie had to give up as the beavers were too persistent. So, we hooked up a Sony video camera with nightshot, and shone a flashlight covered with an infrared filter onto the dam one evening. Within a few minutes of leaving the camera, the beavers showed up and began their nefarious work. As the video progresses, listen for a change in the sound of the water flowing. You will notice that the sound will become more muted as the beaver inserts more brush into the dam, thus blocking water flow.
(Notice to Laurie’s colleagues & students: YouTube is blocked at school, so you’ll have to view this video elsewhere. Click here to try an alternate source.)
