Beavering away

I'd never seen a beaver. And after visiting the beaver enclosure at Nene Wetlands, I still haven't seen a beaver.

But I have seen what beavers can do. Ben Casey, the Wildlife Trust person who guided me around, said they strip the bark to access the cambium, which has more nutritional value than the rest of the wood - and still not much nutritional value.

In one area they've felled a lot of small trees, and Ben says that's to generate low level regrowth next year, conveniently accessible shoots and leaves.

They've also attacked an ash, harder wood than their normal fare, and Ben wonders if they use it to sharpen their teeth.

They've built two lodges. This one extends some way under ground, and they exit into a canal they've dug. in fact, they've built a canal system.

Given my predilection for photographing bark and wood, I found their work quite enchanting.