A set of shots taken a few winters ago when a young beaver set up a winter home in our pond. He had trouble finding enough to eat, but did manage to cut down a willow and some poplars (one of their favourite trees). That was fine by us, and we had wanted the willow removed to provide a better habitat for the tree swallows flying and feeding over the pond, but we couldn't bring ourselves to cut the tree down, so the beaver did it for us. In spring he left for better quarters, as the pond is much too small to support a beaver. We all hope that he survived and found a better place to live.
In this photo he is bringing a branch to the pond where it will be stashed as part of his food supply. People began leaving apples and carrots for him as well as branches. He denned up in the bank above the pond.