Although yesterday was a miserable, cold and windy, heavily overcast day for a change when we strode into the forest and down into the ravine, there we came across, through our hour-and-a-half foray along trails that were now so heavy in muddy clay they were the worst we've yet seen this spring, many people out on the trails with their dogs.

We knew, walking up the street, that though the forecast was for an improvement over the day before, it was not an atmospheric-conditioned day to make us celebrate. The only positive thing that could be said, is that no rain was in the offing. The already-saturated woods could hardly take any more. And as soon as we entered we could see that the trail directly behind the houses on our street which we rarely take in any event, had been closed off with tape and warning signs.

A municipal truck had been parked within the ingress to the forest, and that was adequate proof that local authorities who look after the city's extensive park system as well as the wilder portions such as we enjoy are alert to the dangers posed by the recent landslides that have resulted from saturated conditions in the ravine, denaturizing the Leda clay deposits in the soil.

But our little dogs didn't care, they are just interested in sniffing and snuffling about everywhere, coming in contact with other dogs out doing likewise. These new conditions that have altered the layout of the ravine in certain places, however, are the literal 'talk of the town'. At least that portion of the 'town' that is localized and of interest to the small percentage of residents who value and make use of the Bilberry Creek Ravine forest.

No new slumps appear to have occurred since our sightings and hearings of yesterday afternoon. But it appears that beavers have taken advantage of the large pooled areas that have arisen where the creek has been stopped up, and unable to take its usual direct course of flow. Which means, if they're allowed to remain there in new territory they've claimed, more poplar trees will be taken down to add to the many they've already harvested.

Some people we came across spoke of one fellow's experience when his Golden Retriever did what all of that breed loves to do; entered the creek at a point not too far distant from one of the beaver dams, and was surprised to have a beaver underwater swim toward the dog and snap at its chest. The dog had to be rushed to the veterinarian hospital for immediate surgery, but  he'll be fine.

When beaver feel their immediate territory is being threatened, or when they've been cornered they can be pretty fierce in looking after themselves; those front teeth that make quick work of tree trunks are capable of a lot of damage to tender flesh.