Nature Hike, Part 2

When we were on the trail of our School Forest, we walked the rim of the pond, discussing ice safety and ice conditions.  Suddenly there was the strangest noise.  We all froze.  The ice reverberated and we heard loud thump! thump! thumps! beneath us.  There was a collective gasp from the kids and then squeals of "It's the beavers!"  We quickly retreated knowing it was an alarm sent out by the beavers.  They were warning each other of danger, and trying to scare us off.  
This was clearly a once in a lifetime experience.  It also reminded me of why I went into teaching.