Two Views Of The Lower Scarborough Slough Beaver Lodge

This morning I’m sharing two different views of a beaver lodge on Lower Scarborough Slough at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Winter view of Lower Scarborough Slough beaver lodge

This first photo was taken at the end of last month. Steve Creek and I had gone for a walk on a side road at the refuge that meanders near the slough.

Note: The only vehicles allowed on this road are refuge vehicles.

On this road a person could get close enough to photograph American Beavers at their lodge if the beavers happened to be out and about.

Dressing in camo clothing might be necessary—beavers can be quite skittish around people.

Foggy view of Lower Scarborough Slough beaver lodge

This second image was taken last December on a foggy morning. I took this photo from the auto tour road at the refuge. I liked how the beaver lodge looked like it was levitating above the water in the fog.

Beaver Lodge Information:

Beaver lodges are architectural marvels of the animal kingdom, built with precision and natural ingenuity. These dome-shaped structures are primarily constructed from branches, logs, and mud, meticulously woven together to form a watertight sanctuary for the beavers and their kits. Positioned strategically in shallow waters, these lodges serve as multi-functional homes for these industrious rodents.

Inside, the lodge is divided into two main chambers: a dry living area above the waterline where the beavers rest and groom themselves, and a submerged entrance leading to an underwater den. The underwater den provides easy access to escape predators and serves as a storage area for food during the winter months when ice covers the water’s surface.

Beaver lodges aren’t just cozy homes; they’re also crucial to the ecosystem. They create habitats for various aquatic species, stabilize water levels, and improve water quality by trapping sediment and pollutants in their structures. Their impact on wetlands is undeniable, making them an essential part of the landscape.

I haven’t photographed a beaver at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge yet. I hope to change that soon

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Beaver photos plus facts and information about them in my galleries. Click here to see more of my photos of Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma plus facts and information about the refuge.