Leave it to Beaver…

Heading out into the Uinta National Forest is always a pleasure.  The cars, traffic, tourists and just “life” in general quickly fade into the background.  There is such a peace and solitude that is quickly found there!  My most recent experience proved to be an extra special treat!  As we were snowshoeing along, I noticed about five aspen trees in a small opening that were all victim to the busy beaver.  We were hiking alongside a stream which was still moving underneath all the snow that was atop it.  We walked closer to the aspens and saw that a few had already fallen.  The two that really captured me though were gnawed to a small point where it looked like we could have just pushed it down with the slightest nudge.  Not wanting to steal the beaver’s thunder, or push it in the wrong direction, we just took several photos, marveled a bit and headed on.  I know, I know beavers are a rodent.  A pest.  A nuisance.  I get it.  However, they are pretty darn cute and the fact that they are one of the few mammals that mate for life, well I think maybe we humans could learn some valuable lessons from them.  Gnaw on beavers, gnaw on!