We are not sure if this is the true native Viburnum trilobum, or one of the cultivars sold under the same name. At any rate, the fruit rarely gets eaten and yet it is said that this species of Viburnum is popular with wildlife. Either it isn't, or this is a cultivar that has no wildlife value. At least the fruit is very beautiful, especially on a cool December day!

The beaver has finally succeeded in taking down the big Manitoba maple that self-seeded there about 8 or 9 years ago. He has already begun chewing some of the lower branches in the water, but the higher ones may be too far out of reach. He hasn't chewed completely through the stump, and I am thinking that I may have to take a saw or an axe and help him out a bit by cutting through that "hinge" that is keeping the tree where it is. He is certainly an industrious little guy and it is quite amazing to see his work up close. For example, it seems that after eating the bark off the branches, he then uses them to shore up his dam.

A nice calm pond, between the gusts of wind.

This odd-looking polypore is growing on a birch snag, and there is quite a lot of it. It likes to fill crevices and cracks and small cavities. I also found some growing on an ash tree in the Ash Woodlot.