Location: Algonquin Park, Canada
Say hello to one of Canada's official symbols, the beaver. We were lucky enough to spot this guy while driving through Algonquin Park.
Sometimes referred to as ecosystem engineers, beavers are one of only a few mammals capable of changing a habitat.
Beavers construct their lodges or homes, which can only be accessed through underwater entrances, in ponds, along river edges or in the shallow bays of lakes.
The dams that beavers build create shallow ponds. It is here where they will build their lodge. When the beavers abandon the dam due to factors such as lack of food and the pond drains, beaver meadows often form. These beaver-made ecosystems, in turn, help protect and filter our drinking water, provide habitats for wildlife, store flood waters to reduce property damage and maintain surface water flow during droughts. Beaver dams function as speed bumps for streams. By slowing down the speed of moving water they create deeper water that can provide important habitat for fish during times of drought.
Beaver-made ponds and wetlands are incredibly important for waterfowl nesting and feeding and many types of fishes. Ponds not only create open water and wetland habitat for ducks, but the flooding often kills large trees, creating habitat in which species, such as wood ducks (cavity dwellers), nest.
Smooth fine art paper: Our smooth fine art paper is a bright white, 100% cotton, 250gsm, Ph-neutral, archival medium made by Canon. It is the ideal paper that will last for many years with proper care.
*Images are sold as prints only, framed image is only to give an idea of what this image will look like once it is properly framed.