The Log Bridge

The space of urban rivers supports co-habitation between a range of species, each with different patterns of use and occupation. One of our cameras is set up on a riverbank and looks out onto a large fallen tree. This fallen tree is a dynamic device, providing a kind of animal infrastructure for the squirrels, birds, raccoons, and the odd house cat. In both summer and winter conditions, during the day and at night, individually, or with their young, these animals, especially the raccoons, can be seen using it as a vantage point, a platform to reach the leaves of the tree directly overhead, but most importantly, as a bridge and walkway used to walk back and forth, sometimes leaving behind wet paw prints during both the high water of spring and during low water.

A lesson from these photos of the raccoons’ interaction with the log could be their unconditional usage of it as a landscape element. The log knows no program; neither do the raccoons. This is arguably a non-human understanding of space, but in a shared space like that of urban rivers, and perhaps more and more in urban public spaces like parks or plazas moving forward, implications of our co-habitation should be recognized, and even celebrated by design! We must acknowledge that we share this outdoor space with animals, and thus, their perspective should be considered commensurately. This log then, aptly symbolizes an animal’s perspective on the landscape, reflecting their use of it, as well as how it is equally important as a human’s.