THE AUDUBON BULLETIN fe 
with its prey in its claws before the tension on the wire closed the break in 
my electric circuit and detonated the charge of magnesium powder. 
October came at last, with those sharp nights and clear, still invigorat- 
ing days that are so characteristic of the north woods. “he hardwoods were 
turning, the hillsides aflame with brilliant color, delightfully set off by the 
somber, restful green of the conifers. Beavers were cutting their winter 
food and storing it under water near their homes against the days when 
they would be frozen in. 
On a still evening they could be seen swimming slowly, hidden among 
the leaves of a sapling top, to dive close to their house, carrying their bur- 
dens with them. 
On the higher ground, above the lodge, were many trails and evidences 
of many busy nights of cutting. 
There is something about a beaver’s trail attractive to many different 
kinds of animals. Ruffed Grouse frequently use them. Perhaps on them 
travel is easier than elsewhere. When they are smooth and well worn, they 
give every appearance of being convenient and comfortable thoroughfares. 
Here was a golden opportunity for beaver pictures. One good one 
was obtained and the next evening at six o'clock the flash was heard again. It 
was not possible to tell from the signs what had tripped it. “he probabilities 
favored beaver, but it was a Ruffed Grouse instead, moving slowly down 
the beaver trail across which the light, nearly invisible wire was stretched. 
Unfortunately, the bird’s head was turned away from the camera. ‘That, 
however, is the fortune of war. It adds to the fascination of this sport that 
good pictures are difficult to obtain and come when least expected. One 
never knows in advance with any degree of certainty what the subject of 
any given shot will turn out to be, nor the character of the picture—so 
many little things may intervene to spoil the exposure. 
It is not always, by any means, that Autumn brings fine weather in 
the woods. Sometimes the colors are drab, the sun seldom shines and rain 
falls day after day to dampen the spirits as well as the ground under foot 
and the leaves on the trees. 
I headed for the woods in such a season when once again the principal 
photographic effort was for beaver pictures. 
What had been a calm and friendly trout stream was now a raging 
torrent with ten feet of water rushing between its banks to Lake Superior. 
A log habitually used by a bobcat as a crossing served its purpose no 
longer. Much of it was well under water. 
On the opposite bank beavers had dammed a small creek. “The situa- 
tion looked promising. A short reconnaissance disclosed that a crossing 
could be made upstream over a tree fallen clear across the river and hanging 
well above the water. On the far side its branches complicated a landing 
only slightly. Exploration brought to light a well-used beaver trail end- 
ing with a short slide into the river. 
