i was already starting to feel that sinking sensation that all the interesting seasonal colors, whether flora or fauna, had either migrated south or been killed by the cold and snow, and that i might be stuck photographing twigs and stems until april. then a cooperative beaver felled a good sized aspen on one of my favorite walks, and i was reminded of all the beloved species who will spend these next few months here with me, rather than shooting their mouths off down in the gulf of mexico.

recently beaver-gnawed polar stump

sucker lake regional trail, saint paul, minnesota