December 7th. First snow of the year; about an inch.

 

 

 

 

 

Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are flocking in the marsh.

 

 

 

 

 

Ground Pine (Lycopodium obscurum).

 

White Pine (Pinus strobus).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 8th. The beaver tree "fell" in last night's high winds, but snagged in an adjacent tree.

 

 

 

Now what? Will the beavers deal with it, or abandon the effort?
(Update: They abandoned it. The Hebron town crew removed it in the spring.)

 

December 12th. Last night we had 4.5 inches of rain The little creek I've been photographing lately has swollen to a torrent.

 

 

 

 

 

Normally confined to a culvert under Route 85, today the stream was over the road as well.

 

Raymond Brook Marsh was higher than I've ever seen it.

 

The beaver lodge has flooded, leaving the beavers to perch uncomfortably on the roof. (December 13th update: Happy to report that the water level had dropped this morning by 18" or more. Their sleeping platform should have been above water, offering relative safety inside the lodge.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water flowed over the trail in several places to a depth of four inches.

 

Grayville Falls was roaring. The most violent torrent I've ever seen there.

 

This large downed tree, still attached at the stump, was bouncing around from the force.

 

 

 

Downstream, the "brook" spread out into the woods on both sides. Over the sound of rushing water, I could hear - and feel - boulders knocking against each other under the water.

 

 

 

Upstream, the far pier of the pedestrian bridge was separated from the bank by a thirty foot channel.

 

 

 

December 20th. A foot or more of snow fell yesterday.

 

 

 

The beaver lodge and food cache are covered in snow.