October 8, 2017 - Beaver Invasion

Did you see the rare October Harvest Moon this week?

The Harvest Moon rising over Meredith Bay

One definition of the Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, which usually is the September full moon. This was the first October Harvest Moon since 2009.

The glorious weather this week hasn't been able to stave off the foliage progression, as waning sunlight continues to deplete chlorophyll levels in the leaves regardless of the temperature.

Even the lilly pads are getting in on the action.

Pond lilies also have an inherent color that is hidden by the process of photosynthesis

The beaver population throughout New Hampshire continues to expand, at least as far as I can tell.  We now have one or two beavers swimming past every night, just before nightfall.  They are coming on shore everywhere, cutting small openings along the bank where there are are none, and building large scent piles to mark their territory.

Scent piles say "No Trespassing - these are my trees!"

If I go outside they pick up the slightest motion and jump in the lake. They'll swim around a bit and give some loud tail slaps - one night I was treated to four of these.

This picture was taken in the spring - right now they are coming out after dark.

Beaver are genetically programmed to stop any flowing water, bringing much agony to people who manage dams.  This fall they have been persistent at stuffing the Lake Wicwas dam with all kinds of debris.

The Wicwas dam seen from the lake side

We can't thank the town employees enough for dealing with this disgusting mess - downstream are the remains of prior clear-out work.

Old beaver debris on the other side of the dam

It's quite a success story for these, our largest rodents, after having been completely eliminated by trapping in the 1800's.  Between 1926 and 1930 six beavers were released in New Hampshire - has this entire population grown from those six animals?

The Indian summer has confused the blueberry bushes, as I saw some bewildered plants that are setting new blossoms.

Blueberry blossoms in October?

But no, I don't think we'll get a second blueberry crop this year.

It's still early, but the peak foliage will be coming to the Lakes Region soon; hopefully you'll be able to get out and enjoy it - either on land or on water.

Enjoying some water-borne leaf peeping