Wilson: Besides the news about receiving rain, Mum has a new critter obsession now. We’ve know about this critter appearing in our area because we’ve seen evidence of him but had never actually seen one in person. Well that’s history now. Meet our newest critter in the ‘Hood. He is unnamed as of now so I’m asking for your help in suggesting a name for him since Mum can’t decide. Let me just say she is over the moon giddy about running into him a couple of mornings since last week. She couldn’t capture any good photos since she didn’t have her big camera with her and whenever she did, we didn’t see him but she’s been researching about beavers nonstop. Can you imagine being replaced as the love of her life by…{gasp}…a…rodent??
The Mum: You are not being replaced, let me reassure you. It’s just I’ve never seen a beaver before in real life and I certainly never expected to see one in the city. This is monumental so I’ve been trying to find out about this fella. Did you know that beavers are the second largest rodent (behind capybaras) in the world and weigh up to 110 lb (50 kg)? With their stout bodies, large heads and those famous chisel-like incisors, beavers have brown or gray fur, with hand-like front feet, webbed back feet. Their tails that are flat and scaly and are used as a rudder as well as a alarm system when they slap it on the surface of water. Beavers can be found in a number of freshwater habitats and typically eat tree bark, aquatic plants, grasses and sedges. They are considered a keystone species because their damn and lodge building activities create wetlands that are used by many other species.
Wilson: {with his paw against his forehead} I can’t believe I’m being replaced by a rodent. This is just humiliating…
The Mum: {interrupting} Let me assure you that you are not being replaced. But seeing one of these guys is pretty monumental. They’re nocturnal you know.
Wilson: Well we do practically take our morning walks in the dark so I guess that makes sense…
The Mum: Oh for heaven’s sake…stop being so hyperbolic. We walk early to avoid the heat…seeing that beaver was a bonus-just like that day we ran into the coyote pup. Did you know their eyes, ears and nostrils are arranged so that they can remain above water while the rest of the body is submerged and their nostrils and ears have valves that close underwater? They also have a translucent third eye membrane that covers their eyes when they are submerged. Isn’t that cool?
Wilson: {harumph} Big deal. They can’t cuddle with you like I do.
The Mum: No, you’re right about that…for which I’m grateful. You’re still my favorite pet, so don’t worry. But I will always want to better capture that guy in a photo. You’re still my bestest floof.
Wilson: Well I guess I feel better about that declaration. Thank you for that. Now that you’ve pledged your undying love for a rodent, how about I share some other slices of nature we encountered this week?
The Mum: I did not pledge undying love for a rodent but I’d love to see what else you have today.
Wilson: Just to prove we do walk in the middle of the night at dawn, here’s a beautiful sunrise we encountered a couple of days ago.
The Mum: That was a pretty spectacular sunrise through the coyote habitat.
Wilson: Umm, meh…I’d have been happy sleeping in but whatever.
The Mum: Oh come on…you love the cool mornings as much as I do. What else do you have?
Wilson: You’re right, I do like the cool mornings because I know it’ll be hotter later. The wildflowers are lovely. With the blanket flower (Gaillardia) a kind of chamomile is blooming with them.
The Mum: To show how hot and dry it’s been, look at this rye grass. Crispy-crunchy.
Wilson: I’ve noticed gladiolus are starting to bloom and there are some real beauties in the neighborhood adjacent to the golf course. Just look at these babies.
The Mum: They really are pretty. I’ve always thought those “sword lilies” are quite showy and this house has a gorgeous selection. They do tend to flop over so I’ve never planted any in favor of other plants that stay upright without support like these gorgeous lilies.
Wilson: Well that’s all I have this week. We hope you have a terrific weekend and don’t fry in the heat that is set to return. Mum is helping the rescue out tomorrow at the annual Denver Dog Fair. This is one of the best public events for dog rescues. They find homes for so many dogs and there are vendors selling everything you can imagine associated with owning a dog. I’ll be happily snoozing on the sofa (don’t tell Mum) while she’ll be dealing with crowds, parking and all the things I wouldn’t enjoy. What are your plans? What ever you do, we hope you can find some time to get out and enjoy what Nature shares with us. And don’t forget to suggest a name for the rodent. I was thinking of Theodore like that Leave It To Beaver kid or Norbert, a famous beaver who lived at the Detroit Zoo. What do you think? I have no doubt that if Mum has anything to do with it, she’ll be sharing more photos of he who is to be named. Sigh. Have a wonderful weekend!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Java Bean: “Ayyy, after the beaver finishes building its dam and its lodge, maybe we can all rent rooms there and go for a swim in its private lake! What do you say?”
Well…Wilson says you guys can go swimming…he’ll just watch from the top of the bridge. He’s apparently allergic to water. 😂
Beautiful photos and having a beaver nearby is indeed exciting! Glad you got some rain, and so sorry about the wildfires.
Thanks so much, Lori. There’s a first very near my brother’s place which has burned 48,000 acres and destroyed nearly 200 structures. It’s zero percent contained and considered the largest wildfire in the country. We very much appreciate you keeping us in your thoughts.
HMMMMMM ho to name a Beevurr??? Bertie? Canuck? hat about Amik? That iss Ojibwe Native ore Beevurr Miss Monika an Wilson?
Yore fotoss are lovelee. THE Sunset WOWSERSS!!!
***nose bopss*** BellaDharma an ((hugss)) Bellasita Mum
Thank you for your lovely comment. Our skies are full of smoke from the wildfires in our state as well as the fires in Utah (which have now joined with the ones in our state). Today we’re under a severe air quality alert. It’s totally crazy.
WOW! How cool to see a beaver…Mama would call him Barney the Beaver…or Betty the Beaver…but we think Bartholomew is a cool name for a beaver!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
Thanks, it’s been such a treat to watch him in the early mornings but I wish I could see him more. Oh well, we’ll be satisfied with glimpses here and there.
Beavers are so cool and do so much for the area they live in. Enjoy!
Nature’s engineers!
Hope your mom has fun at the dog fair!
Wow a beaver, how coolio is that! I was thinking Woody for a name because of all the wood the munch on, or maybe SlapHappy…for the way they slap their tails…or maybe even Chewy…yes I am silly!
Glad you did finally get some rain! We have been dry mostly, and will be for a while yet, but we are going into the cooker this week coming, with feel like temps of 104F. UGH. combined with high humidity of course…I won’t be going out in our nature yard unless I really have to and the grass can grow as tall as it wants because I cn’t mow under those conditions, too dangerous…esp for this old lady, teehee!
Have a great weekend!
With today’s pizza oven temps, things got very crispy today. I hope I can save the basil-it looked fairly fried. 🙁 All next week will be in the 90’s. Ugh.
The dog fair was good, somewhat smaller than past years but it was fun and I think we made some valuable contacts for people interested in the two dogs we have in the rescue. We’ll see how follows up on applications. 🤞🏼 Have a great weekend. Sounds like it might be a good time to stay indoors and chill. Literally! 😁
That beafurr is pawsome, Wilson! His work neffurr stops. We’ve seen once how they created a dam, that really looked unbelievable. Your mommy won’t effurr replace you, Wilson, not only because she loves you, but also, because the beafurr is always working, so he’s neffurr home for cuddles😹We were supurrized to see Angel Stippie’s flowers in the wild (Gaillardia) 💖Our one… and only Gladiole is coming the end of July, so yours are very early, but beautiful. Double COOL Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend to you and your mommy too🐾😽💞
Thanks guys. We think because it’s been so hot everything the flowers are early. No matter, we still enjoy them. We hope it starts to cool off for everyone. Have a lovely weekend.
Great photos, and Wilson, I wouldn’t worry about mom sharing a little love with the beaver. It’s not like you’re going to find him on the couch anytime soon.
I hope the dog fair is fun and productive. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos.
Thanks, Dan. Wilson is grateful the house is a no-beaver zone. Sending our best wishes for a wonderful weekend.
We were visiting our daughter in Portland and saw a nutria, i thought it was a beaver but the tail was different. Seeing a beaver is super cool! The sunrise is beautiful. Next week we’ll have to walk early too.
How cool was that sighting?!?! They do look like beavers. Glad you enjoyed our sunrise. Whenever we have wildfire smoke in the area, the sunrises are wildly colorful. Have a great weekend and stay cool next week!
The other thing about beavers that I learned, they are quick! One minute I see them, the next I’m like “Where’d they go?”. But they are fun to watch when you do have them in your sights.
No worries Wilson, Mama would trade you for a million bucks.
Here’s to the colorful blooms and agreeable temps in the morning!
Have fun a the Fair.
Thanks, Marc. Yes, they are fast! On land and especially in the water. Have a swell weekend and stay cool if you can. Gonna be a scorcher here.
They really are! Cute little buggers too.
78 and overcast here today. Not too bad.
I hate to be a copycat BUT the first thing I thought of for the beaver’s name was Cleaver. Anyone who used to watch Leave It To Beaver would definitely remember! Anyway, how cool to see one in person……beautiful flowers all around – everything around here is needing water to be in proper bloom and we are due for a few days of water here. I’m hoping for some colorful blossoms. I do all I can with watering with the hose but it’s not the same as THE REAL THING! Sending hugs to all………..
Love, Pam and Teddy
I agree, those of us who grew up with the ‘Beav’ are very familiar with Cleaver. We had another sighting in the canal this morning and we also saw our friend the coyote so it was a wildlife filled morning walk. Hoping you have a great weekend and the forecasted rain helps with the watering. 🤞🏼
Hot, too little rain, or too much. Sigh. Anywayz. Of course, we thought to go with a “B” name, but with all due respect to you Wilson and in hopes of your “getting to know you”, how about Walter and/or Winifred, keep it in the family kinda sorta (so says June). Have a grand weekend, at the dog show … and you pupper, chillin’ at home.
Yup, moisture is either too much or too little. A friend of mine had her neighborhood flooded but everyone is stepping up to help them. A ‘W’ name is an interesting idea. I’m kinda liking Wes. LOL Have a wonderful weekend.
I’m so glad you got rain! I pray you get plenty more, but not enough for flooding.
You got wonderful nature shots this week, and beavers are fabulous in so many ways. A friend of ours asked the Army Corps of Engineers for permission to put in a pond on his property and it was denied. A few months later, a beaver couple moved onto the property and guess what, he has his pond, and the Army Corps couldn’t do a thing about it!
As for names, how about Caspian? I don’t know why, but it seems like a good name for a useful critter.
Many thanks! That rain was truly wonderful. Sadly a couple of communities in the mountains nearby did get flooded. It’s always too much or too little. We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I would love to send your mom our beavers that damn up the spillway to our pond and cause my hubby a lot of extra work.
Oops, sorry. They are quite the engineers. Have a great weekend.
OMD! Even before I saw Wilson’s reference to Wally Cleaver’s little brother I was trying to think of his “real” name! 🤣 Great minds think alike! And thanks for all the cool info!! Great nature pix, btw!!
Staying home and enjoying the safety of our back yard as usual.
Thanks. I had to stop and think about the Clever’s for a second. Just goes to show our age, doesn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the info and the flowers. There are such pretty gardens around my neighborhood. Enjoy a nice quiet weekend. In addition to the dog fair, I am hosting a birthday BBQ for my son so it’s go, go, go. But it’ll all be good. Have fun and give the Z Kiddos a nice ear rub from me.
I’m a big fan of beavers. They can take a trickle of water and turn a desert into a lush wetland. Great sunrise photo, and the rest of the flower photos were terrific. I hope you enjoy your weekend
We are too, John. In fact, any keystone animal is high on our list. I hope to follow this guy all summer long.
So pleased that you enjoyed the other photos. We both hope you have a fabulous weekend.
So lovely to see a beaver Monika! 😍 We love them here and the wetlands they have created offer natural flood-protection too. Wishing you a fabulous time at the dog fair and a blessed weekend to you all 🥰❤️🐾 xxx
Many thanks, Xenia. It really surprised me to see one in my city! Even though there are wild critters here, the last one I expected was a beaver! We hope you and precious Bria have a wonderful weekend.
How about Bentley Beaver? Benny for short! 😉
There are definitely two camps for beaver relations and I understand both sides. They are great out in the wilds, talented habitat engineers that they are, but if they end up around people and their structures, there is a lot of controversy. Flooded roads and homes tend to make normally sane people a bit nuts!
Have a great weekend, hope the fair goes well, woof!
Very clever! Have a swell weekend. Sadly these days, there are a lot of things that make otherwise sane people a bit goofy. Those who oppose beavers tend to be in the NIMBY camp.
Very nice photos today Wilson! Dang, you had a real live episode of Leave It to Beaver!
Thanks, Terry. I sure did have my own episode of Leave it to Beaver! 🤣 Good one. Have a marvelous weekend.
Awww, love the beaver! So industrious! Fingers crossed for lots of dog adoptions!
Thanks, Kate. Mum continues to swoon over that rodent. I don’t get it but it seems to make her happy. The Dog Fair is such a great event with over 20 rescues participating and I’m sure loads of dogs will have new fur-ever homes by the end of the day. Enjoy a lovely weekend.
We saw critters like that in the creek along the trail too! Thought maybe muskrats because they seemed small, but it is hard to see them well. I loved it when their face fur was all fluffy when dry, LOL!
It was so exciting to my Mum. One morning we saw him scampering at the overflow before Mum could pull out her camera. He’s definitely no muskrat. She kept pinching herself when it swam under the bridge. She just couldn’t believe her good fortune. Their faces are pretty cute. We sure hope you have a wonderful weekend-we’re jealous of your forecast so enjoy it for us.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
Yeah, your guy for sure looks like a beaver. We saw muskrats in the muddy creek banks. Still very exciting, IMHO! Happy weekend Wilson and Mom!
A Beaver! Lynn has seen ’em here in Ohio, but not me. My catio doesn’t overlook a lake fur one to swim in. Call ‘im Bucky fur his buck teeth, mol. Too soon fur our glads to bloom but we are anxiously awaiting them. Precious
Thanks for stopping by, Precious. We 💙 visitors. Mum was over the moon at seeing him-frankly I’m surprised she could even capture even crummy photos, she was practically shaking all over when she realized what it was. Bucky…haha…that’s a good one. BOL We hope you have a fantastic weekend in Ohio. Stay cool.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
I can so understand your thrill at seeing the beaver. A few years ago, we had one in the manmade lake… I took a bunch of pics and videos of it as it sat on its tail grooming… https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3tlPzv9r4/?img_index=1
I hope you do manage to capture the otter on film, too!
And yay for the rain! Not much but it’s better than nothing, right?
Have a marvellous weekend, you two 🙂
Never in a million years did I think I’d see one so this was monumental for me. Hope to see him again soon. 🤞🏼 The canal is all muddy after the rain so he’s been MIA though I have seen a couple of his lodges along the canal. Maybe he’s renting the small ones out on Airbnb. LOL We were so grateful for the rain. I can only hope we’ll receive one more shower before we head into pizza oven temps. Have a pawsome weekend!
I completely understand! That’s how I felt.
Hahahaha! Maybe he is. Renting them out!
I send you best wishes for more rain before the oven gets turned on!
Thanks, we’ll hope for it but so far no signs are pointing to rain yet. Maybe (hopefully) later 🤞🏻
I shall send my good rain vibes your way.
Many thanks!
Always great photos, but I love the rye grass one especially. Topaz, Aggie, and Frankie and I will be at an adoption event tomorrow. Paws crossed for us and for you and all the rescues!
Thanks, we think that rye grass is pretty cool. It was gorgeous when it was green but looks pretty cool all dried out too-I love the texture. The dog fair is the best event around the metro area and they managed to place loads of pets in fur-ever homes last year so we’re optimistic. Plus they have great resources like vets, pet photographers, dog trainers, behaviorists and jillions of vendors selling some of the coolest collars, leashes, clothes and treats. It’s extremely well run and we like that the organizers truly have their act together. Too many of the others just aren’t as well organized even if their hearts are in the right place. Good luck to you at your adoption event. Have a great weekend!
We got an inch or so of driving rain the other day too and now we will have high humidity and upper 90’s starting Sunday for a while…yuck! Glad you got some rain finally. As for the beaver, Mom loves them but we want to catch them. Solution? We eat raw and one place we order from has beaver which we get now and then. Nelson isn’t to thrilled with it but Bailie and I love it. So you could order some to eat and take your frustrations about being replaced out that way? Have a fun weekend!
You have our deepest sympathies. High temps are one thing but add humidity to that and ugh…it’s miserable. I may have to have mum look for a source to get beaver but I know she hasn’t seen any yet. Maybe Chewy’s? We’ll check it out. I’ll eat pretty much anything. I know Mum won’t replace me with a rodent but you should have seen her excitement. We hope you have a fantastic weekend.
I am so happy you got some rain! Did it rain or snow in the mountains?
How fun to see a beaver! How about Barry Beaver for a name? 🙂
We were thrilled! Some of the higher foothills received significant rain (Evergreen and Kittredge received as much as 6″ of rain in a 2-hour period which caused some flooding and debris). Mum was beside herself when she saw the beaver and actually considered calling him Barry. It was a very exciting moment. Have a lovely weekend.
Your fur-iend,
Wilson 🐾
You too, Wilson and Wilson’s mom!
Whatever you do, do not buy a cuddly soft toy beaver for Wilson…
Ha! “Wilson: {with his paw against his forehead} “–I always enjoy these conversations.
Thanks, Jacqui. So glad you enjoy our weekly conversations. Have a fantastic weekend.
I’ll vote for Cleaver, for the obvious reasons. That doggie fair looks a great time…have fun and good luck getting those adoptions!
Thanks, Tom & Reiko. We liked Cleaver too. That dog fair is one of the best we’ve been to-the organizers are pros and run a great event. With over 20 rescues, tons of dogs were adopted last year and you simply can’t beat the selection of everything you could possibly need or want for your dog. It’ll be a great event. Have a terrific weekend.
ooh this guy… the mama said she would love to swim now too…. you have gladiolas? wow… we get them in august… mother nature has a special calendar this year ;o)
Special calendar indeed. Like everything else in the garden this year, they seem early to us too. But they sure are pretty. We hope you have a great weekend!
Hmmm, I’m pretty sure that’s an otter….if so, how about Ollie the Otter? The flowers are so pretty, even in this heat. Have fun at the dog fair tomorrow and be sure to stay hydrated!
Nope, it’s a beaver. His tail is flat and wide. Someone who lived in the neighborhood confirmed it. Plus I’ve seen the trees that have been gnawed, and they were clearly done by beavers!
Glad you liked the flowers. Yes, we’ll be slugging down water like it’s going out of style for the next 10 days. I’ve never been a fan of July or August because of the heat. Wishing you a lovely weekend, lots of AC and plenty of H2O.
I stand corrected. 😉The tail was hard to see under the water, and that was my mistake. Yep, been mixing water with gagtorade to try to get more hydrated.
No worries. It wasn’t a great photo and the water was murky enough you couldn’t tell. It’s 94 here and I feel like a wrung out noodle. Awk!