My family and I were driving down the road a week ago and passed by a creek. We noticed movement in the water and my husband shouts, “Turn around! I think that was a beaver!” We were really excited and instantly turned around. I drove slow along side the creek and we spotted it’s head again. It was cruising along the water, minding it’s own business. Sure enough, it was beaver! We slowly crept to a spot where we could sit for a moment and watch it but as soon as I put the vehicle in park it spooked and slumped down in the water. My husband and son watched it’s tail rise out of the water and loudly SLAP down before he disappeared. I only heard it. It echoed and was unmistakable like a paddle smacking the water.

We waited for about ten minutes, hoping it would return. It never resurfaced but we could see it’s huge body gliding under the water. Then we saw another huge body swimming along side it. There was two of them! Maybe more, who could be sure but the beavers? They eventually swam away down a stream that jetted off of the creek. We could see dark holes underwater and assumed they headed home.

It was the first time I had seen a beaver in the wild! I was so excited! That is what inspired my latest totem animal piece. Next week I will share the symbolism behind beaver as well as the completed piece with color.

Thanks for stopping by this week! Have you ever seen a beaver in the wild? Share your story in the comments below!

Until next time,

“Gotta get this log movin’, sonny, gotta get it movin’! T’ain’t the cuttin’ take’s the time, it’s the doggone haulin’!”