When I first began frequenting this place some ten years ago it was a large natural bog with a slow current running through the middle.
Eight years ago beavers built a dam at the southwest end of the bog, filling it water and transforming it into an impressive oasis for waterfowl and other creatures.
I'd estimate it to be approximately 3000 feet long and 500 feet wide in spots. It has been my regular retreat for solitude and photography.
Sometime between July 11th & 17th the beaver dam was breached, effectively pulling the plug on the water and leaving a vast mudflat in its place.
This was likely due to the excessive rains we've had here in June and July, though it's hard for me to understand exactly what happened.
On Sunday the 11th all was well. But on the following Saturday I was shocked at the transformation.
It's difficult for me to consider the immediate impact to the various families of waterfowl and other creatures I've known here.
I'm hopeful the beavers will repair the dam and restore the pond but as of July 25th there was no sign of any work in progress.
Perhaps at some point in time they will. Otherwise it will return to its original state which, of course, is not a negative thing.
Regardless, it will remain a destination for me.

Here an American Bittern stalks the newly created mudflats in search of frogs to fill his belly. He had a very successful afternoon.