Featured Wildlife:
Martín, Castor, and Trucha…creatures of the air, land, and water
Just as all of us are connected by water, so too are the creatures seen in this wonderfully colorful mural — the belted kingfisher, or martín pescador norteño, the North American beaver, or castor norteamericano, and the rainbow trout, or trucha arcoiris. While the kingfisher takes to the air, and beaver waddle across the wetland in search of willow, all three depend on the water where trout spend their entire lives. The creeks and lakes of the highlands provide crucial cold, clean, plentiful water to support these species and all that depend on water throughout our region.
The timing of this mural, featuring these three species, has been something special because this spring (2025), for the first time in many years, beavers have been active at OHA’s Triple Creek Restoration site. They are feasting on the mature willow and cottonwood and adaptively managing the Beaver Dam Analogs on the site. The presence of beavers is a hopeful sign for the long-term restoration of the creek-floodplain-wetland ecosystem, which will provide habitat for belted kingfisher, trout, beaver and many, many more species.
Learn More:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Beaver Page
Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds: Belted Kingfisher
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Rainbow Trout Page
Beavers have been active at Triple Creek this spring and summer, harvesting willow and helping slow water in Myers Creek.
Funders:
USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant
Icicle Fund’s Community Grant
Seeding Justice’s Columbia River Restoration Fund Grant
The Artist:
Claudia Makeyev
Claudia Makeyev, aka the Mermaid Scientist, is a scientific illustrator, author, educator, scientist, and muralist. Her enthusiasm for aquatic creatures, combined with her artistic talents, innate curiosity, and quirky sense of humor inspires people of all ages to notice and appreciate the unique creatures of the watery world!
Claudia, with her trusty pup, Einstein, putting the finishing touches on her mural.
Learn more about Claudia and her work (including educational curriculum, coloring books, paintings, and drawings) at mermaidscientist.org/ or follow her on social media: @mermaidscientist
Claudia’s mural technique allowed for non-artist participation! Here, Jen Weddle, OHA co-director colors in the lines while Claudia adds artistic detail. Einstein the dog provides critical feedback throughout.