Today's walk and what I found

[reible]

Winter is over tomorrow and spring has actually started here in IL. Flowers are coming up and all that spring stuff. I've also found I gained a few pounds over the winter. When I went for my doctor visit I was still doing OK but some of my numbers were up a bit, that included my weight. So after reviewing the blood tests and my records the doctor wants me walking more. Well OK I can do that and then some extra to help loose those pounds. She wants the 9 pounds I gained in the last 6 months gone and I'm thinking I can go few more.

So the last few days I've been out walking more then normal and it has been interesting. On the hawk front I found one carrying branches around today. Clear signs of nest building. I got a few pictures but it had to see the branch bits, much easier to see when in flight. So here is picture where it was posing for me.

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I was able to track it for a while but then my camera battery gave out and while I was swapping in a fresh one it vanished. I was thinking I might find where the branch was going but no such luck. I'll have to go back a few times and see if I can spot the nest, that is if there is one in that area.

On down the trail I found fresh beaver chewing. First one then several more and it has only been about a week since I walked the area. That much activity means more then one beaver and the likely hood that they are building a dam.

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Since beavers are smart enough to know that logs float downstream and that spring flooding can add other floating building materials I figured if I followed the stream there would be a narrow area and the beginnings of a dam. The trail ended but I decided to press on and soon found what looked like the start of a dam.

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When I got to it I found it to be about 3 feet high and not very well built but holding back water non the less.

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No sign of the beavers. I hope to get back a few times this week as the local policy on beavers are to get rid of them as soon as they find them. I'd like to see as much activity as I can before they are taken and the dam removed.

On my way back out of the area I came across what I believe to be remains of a coyote. I think that someone had set up a snare and this younger one had managed to get caught in it. Then looking at how the cable was twisted about the tree it was attached to the animal attempted to get free only to be more tangled and then die of strangulation or starvation. Not a nice way to go however it was.

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Things like make me sad. Need less to say the this snare will never kill again.

Ed

[BuckeyeDennis]

I have no problem with hunting. But back when I was doing some, I only took shots that were a clean kill. Since childhood I've thought that trapping was needlessly cruel. Exceptions granted for pioneers who had to live off of the land.

What's up with the zero-tolerance policy for beavers? I've always admired the critters.

[reible]

I remember a saying that goes something like this. There is room for all God's creatures and for some of them it's right next to the mash potatoes.

I grew up in an area where hunting and fishing were the norm. Folks that were in need would snare rabbits even if it were illegal but they would check them often as they were a food source. I had uncles who trapped for furs/pelts and that was part of their lively hood. They didn't do it to be killers but to sustain themselves and there families.

Snares were and I believe still are illegal because of how they work.

I don't understand the beaver situation either. I like to watch them and find dams and even chewed trees. Yes they flood an area but in a lot of cases that is a plus for wildlife. Perhaps these will be hidden enough to stay for a while but if anyone is being watchful will see the same signs as I did and do like I did. So I will enjoy them while I can.

Ed