Al Larson Photography

I have yet to see the engineer but the evidence is here. I don’t know if an individual is responsible or if a pair of beaver is working here.  Last year a dam was built and then aparently abandoned and washed out during high water last winter and spring. The old hut has been refurbished. There is also a hole (tunnel) leading into the bank on the right side of the pond. Our son stepped through the roof of the tunnel about fifteen feet from the water. The beaver promptly set to work covering this unwanted hole with grass and weeds. I must quietly sneak down there and see if I can observe this fellow at work.

On this cool, overcast, October morning I looked out the window at this colorful view. We may not have the entire landscape emblazened with fall color like the eastern U. S. diciduous forests, but we do have pockets of beautiful hues. Perhaps the dark evergreen background tends to enhance our western autumn colors.

A few days ago on a trip to town I stopped by Lucky Peak Dam. This is a flock of Double-crested Cormorants that hauled out onto the rocks below the dam. They perch on the rocks to rest and dry out. Fishing is good below the turbins in the power plant.

With cold weather predicted in the next couple of days my thoughts returned to Spring. Last May as I reached the mouth of Daggett creek I found this chubby little fellow basking in the sun. I always like to see these guys because it means cold weather is over for the season. They come out of their dens in early Spring, eat and grow fat. By mid-summer they disappear again. They have voratious appetites and wreak havoc in nearby flower gardens and farm fields. It’s good that they stay away from my yard and keep to the rocks at the mouth of the creek.