Happy New Year Everyone!
No New Year's Eve party for us, but we did have some friends and neighbours over for coffee this afternoon; Nick and Karen from across the street, and Jan and John from the other side of downtown Denman.
Last night we spent an exciting evening watching hockey on Pay-Per-View. After that we dusted off a DVD we've been saving and watched a Norwegian movie; "Elling". Its been a long time since I had to read sub-titles in a movie, but I really enjoyed the film. Very amusing, and definitely very different.
Staying up until midnight was quite a challenge, but I managed. At 12:00 AM the night watchman blasted the horn on the ferry. And I heard a few firework explosions, probably from the dance at the community hall. Nothing loud enough to wake up Marit.
By the way, I'm glad to report that Marit has now pretty well recovered from her nasty cold. Not completely, but almost.
Storms have continued to roll in from the Pacific. Strong winds knocked out power again last Thursday night, but fortunately not until we'd gone to bed. B.C. Hydro was over on the first ferry Friday and had the electricity back on by 8:20 AM. I didn't even have to start up the generator. (I just stayed late in bed).
Strong winds combined with high tides have washed a lot of logs and debris into Baynes Sound. Cormorants seem to enjoy riding on the larger logs and many logs with four or more cormorants have been drifting by. At one time there were so many that it appeared to be a flotilla of Pelagic Cormorants passing by for review. When I tried to take a picture of this craft, two of the crew decided to abandon ship. (An aluminum skiff was approaching too close.)
Wednesday morning I participated in another annual Christmas Bird Count for the Deep Bay area. (It includes the southern half of Denman). We started off at dawn and searched until early afternoon. The weather could have been worse; sometimes the rain and wind weren't as strong and the temperature was only cold, not freezing. Most birds had more sense that we did, and they stayed sheltered and hidden. Our totals and species lists were embarrassingly small.
I hadn't realized how strongly the winds must have blown until I went down to the beach Friday. A lot of fresh debris had been washed onto the beach. Even a fish had been blown up onto gravel. I'm not sure what this was, I don't think it was a herring. But with the help of some local biologists I'm sure I'll get it identified.
Tonight, as I am creating this update, the strongest storm of the season is roaring. Winds gusting to 100 kms were forecast, and already gusts of 120 kms have been reported from Campbell River. I'm hoping to complete this before we lose power again.
Tomorrow will be an adventure touring the waterfront, if the storm abates, and the tides are low enough to expose some beach. Every year about this time Mother Nature rearranges the coast, sort of like wives regularly rearrange the furniture in the living room. And it takes me a while to adjust to both events.
Between storms, our activity has not been too exciting. The landscape has been generally grey and damp. Even though there are great patches of green (where the rest of Canada has white), the conditions have not been suitable for gardening.
I've managed to trim some of the perennial grasses that no longer have interesting seed heads. And I've plucked all the remaining leaves from the rose bushes. On the next spell of dry weather, I'll do the first spraying of the roses with dormant oil.
And today I had a new visitor at the bird feeder. The feeding station was completely deserted and I finally saw why. A Coopers hawk was sitting hiding in the nearby shelter of a small fir tree. It was a scruffy juvenile that hadn't yet attained its adult plumage. I was surprised to watch a male pheasant stroll by the bird feeder and both ignored each other. The pheasant is a bit larger, but it doesn't have any weaponry. Maybe it looked like too much work for dinner.
Week ending Jan. 8, 2006.
Storms and high tides.
Once again, that pretty much describes the week. The daytime tides have been so high that the bottom of my steps to the beach has been under water.
Yesterday I was talking with Wes Piercy (who once owned all the property on this road, and now still operates the local farm). He keeps daily records of the weather, and told me that since the rains started in mid-December we've had 4055 mm of rain. No wonder the tide is so high: Baynes Sound is full of rain water draining off the island.
Yes, all along the edge of this island small streams, cataracts, and waterfalls are flowing out into the fjord. Most of the year these are dry, but for a short time they can be intensely beautiful. This stream emerging over some large tree roots is situated about 100 meters north of me. It's picturesque, but but further back on the property, the land along its bank appears to be sinking a bit and may later cause some concern near his house.
Actually this high tide phenomenon occurs every January. And when the high tides are accompanied by gale force winds, the beach is often significantly altered. Earlier this week I explored the beach during low tide. New logs had been thrown up on the rocks. Plastic trays from the oyster culture industry were washed up in the gravel. Seaweed, branches, and debris were strewn everywhere. (I wanted to say "flotam and jetsam"; it sounds much more nautical. But none of the debris appeared to be ship wreckage.)
The picture on the left wasn't the messiest area on the beach but it was rather quaint. After the next storm it was stripped bare again.
But stormy conditions haven't been confined to the local weather patterns. Some of the wind has been generated by our federal election campaign. Yesterday there was an "All Candidates Meeting" at the community centre. All four candidate's were present, but public attendance was rather sparse. Unlike me, most voters have made their decision long ago.
I must be weakening. Usually my mind is completely closed by election time. But this year I had only been able to eliminate one candidate. So I attended. It was quite entertaining. A few "voters" decided to behave themselves in the same manner as the politicians conduct themselves in parliament; shouting and heckling. It was quite an "animal farm".
No, this wasn't the animal farm I meant. This is the scene at the end of our road, about 200 meters from our front gate. The sheep in the background are domestic, but the geese are very wild. They were nervously walking away and considering flying as I took the picture. If they and the 70 other geese just off the side had taken flight, the spectacle would have been very noisy and notable.
According to the old timers, there never used to be geese wintering in this area. The occasional goose during migration was an exceptional occurrence. Geese are a recent phenomenon.
This morning (being the second Sunday in the month), Mike and I were out early for the regular waterfowl inventory. But the prospects did not look good. The water, shown below left, was already too choppy and the winds were increasing in front of the impending storm. We've had to postpone the count for a few days until conditions approve.
At the moment its raining again. And the wind is forecast to increase to 70 - 80 kph. The usual. As long as the power stays on its no problem.
We're still eating fresh from the garden; carrots, turnips (rutabagas), and leeks. There's still lots of potatoes in storage. And the arugula is still providing the occasional salad. One of Marit's major complaints is that there is too much of our harvest stored in the freezer; she can't find anything she's looking for. So we're not about to starve.
Our greatest deprivation at the moment, besides insufficient sunlight, is the furnace failure at the "old school". It gets very cold for Marit and the weaving group in their "weaving room" there. And the other room in the same building requires us to keep our winter coats buttoned during meetings. But the appropriate part to fix the furnace is on order, and maybe this will be the week of repair.
And that's all of any significance that I'm willing to admit.
Week ending Jan. 15, 2006.
Each high tide leaves new surprises.
Every day I try to visit the beach below our house. The high tides always leave the shore in a different condition than the day before. Today, laying at the bottom of my stairs, was a wooden palette that had escaped from some warehouse. It'll be gone by tomorrow morning.
But last Wednesday on the other side of Denman Island, the discoveries were tragically different. The bodies of two men were found washed up on Whalebone Point, near the ferry terminal to Hornby Island. The men were wearing survival suits, indicating they had come from a boat that had foundered. Police determined they had been in the water less than 24 hours.
There had been no distress calls, and no report of missing boaters. An aerial search was launched, and during the night the waters were illuminated by flares. But by noon Thursday, no boat had been discovered and no additional victims were found. To date, the situation remains a mystery.
The area has been hit by storms regularly for several weeks now. And the waters off the east coast of Denman are more exposed to the prevailing south-east storm winds. The waters get extremely rough. We're more sheltered on the west side and don't usually experience the severe ocean turbulence. The surprises on our beach have been more pleasant, like this flock of Barrows Goldeneye that scurried from the stairway as I approached.
These pictures are very misleading. Clouds and rain have persisted again throughout the week. Only for a few hours today has there been any blue sky and sunshine. But of course that's when the camera is taken out.
Actually, many if us are hoping the next storm comes quickly. If we can get any amount of measurable rain before midnight tonight, we will be set a record for rainfall; 28 consecutive days of rain, and more expected next week. So for tonight only, "come on rain!".
Here's a view of Marit's flower garden in January; very different than its appearance during the rest of the year. Its difficult now to even remember where to expect new growth to emerge.
Marit and I have been out working in the property during these dry spells. But most of the effort is in the periphery where we know there aren't any dormant garden treasures to damage.
But the first signs of a new growing season are already appearing. These snowdrops under our hydrangea bush are just beginning to bloom. The daffodils and the crocuses have started pushing their leaves out of the ground. And I think the long narrow leaves that are emerging in the garden beds are our various kinds of flowering onions. (Then again, they could be weeds).
Up towards the road our hazelnut trees are full of ripening tassels of pollen. They'll soon be dusting each other to begin next autumns harvest of nuts. I almost pulled these shrubs out two years ago, but the harvest was so bountiful last year that I let them remain.
While we were working outside this afternoon a flock of geese flew overhead. But their call sounded different than usual. And indeed, they really were different. Mixed in with this small flock of about 18 Canada geese were 7 or 8 white ones. Not just a different colour, they were shaped a bit wider too. They passed over several times and settled briefly in the nearby farm field to feed.
I'm puzzled. Could these possibly be hybrid progeny from the white feral farm goose I saw last year associating with two Canada geese? Or maybe they're snow geese that are known to occasionally pass through this area on their migrations. I'll have to take my scope and my camera out to the surrounding fields in the coming days.
And finally: No, neither of us felt the earthquake this morning. Apparently a 3.5 magnitude quake, centered north-west of Victoria, shook the southern portion of Vancouver Island. We're all expecting "the big one" to hit around here someday. But I hope it doesn't happen when the ground is saturated with water, like it is now.
Week ending Jan. 22, 2006.
The view at sunrise on Friday was beautiful. Sunshine is really appreciated when it's been absent so much.
The view of house (below, right) is more representative of the conditions this week. Cloudy, showers, and rain. One storm on Monday night was a real dandy; I was surprised to have the power still working the next morning.
But alas. Despite it all, no record. Last Sunday the rain was too slow in arriving, and we failed to reach the record for continuous days of rain. Now I guess we have to start all over again.
This has been a very quiet week. My most exciting accomplishment was preparing a pot of bean soup last Thursday while Marit was away shopping in Courtenay. Marit was very polite, but didn't share my enthusiasm for the dish. And yesterday she firmly established her position as superior chef with a fresh apple pie a la mode.
At the monthly meeting of the local Garden Club on Wednesday evening, the owner of the nursery, Rivers Meadows Farms, spoke on appropriate trees for this area, and grass selection for lawns. It was interesting, but we've already selected and planted most of the trees we're going to have on this property.
Earlier this week I did prune our entire apple orchard; all six trees. Next I'll have to spray them with a dormant oil mix. And I should prepare some weights to hang on some of the branches to help shape the trees into a productive posture.
One of the few areas of colour in the middle of winter is Marit's heather garden on the north side of the house. When she first started preparing it years ago I thought the effort was futile. But once again I was wrong. This corner of the property has become far more interesting and picturesque than I ever expected.
As the stack of paving blocks indicates, the walkway in this area is going to be extended when the weather warms and dries up a little. I don't think we'll ever run out of projects.
Unfortunately winter has been much too mild here. I've definitely been wasting my money on the four new snow tires I bought.
I'm afraid all the real winter weather is being concentrated on the other side of the earth. Here's a picture of this morning in southern Norway. Its taken in the front yard where Marit lived for 18 years before coming to Canada. The large white expanse in the centre of the picture is a frozen-over cove of the fjord. From the position of the sun, I would bet that the time was just after 9:00 AM; maybe 9:30.
My thanks to my sister-in-law, Ruth, for sending this picture from Berger, Vestfold. That's exactly the way I best remember Norway.
Week ending Jan. 29, 2006.
"I'm not smiling".
That was his only comment as I photographed him on the beach this morning. We were walking along the shore down to the ferry dock, and exploring the changing beach structure. The rains began before we were halfway.
Erik had come over on Friday evening for a relaxing weekend on the island. And we did have a decent day Saturday between storms. But when I drove him back to the Nanaimo ferry this evening, the rain had turned to wet snow on many higher sections of the freeway, and the return trip was rather challenging. Ah well, back here at home, the only thing falling is rain.
Thursday night, another of "those" storms roared through; heavy rain and winds over 80 km. The power failed around midnight but miraculously it was restored at 3:45 AM. No inconvenience at all, except for the resetting of all the electronic equipment.
In preparation, he had the caretaker arrange for the septic tank to be pumped out (a standard procedure here when selling). His only additional instructions were to "not mess up the yard". But after completing the job, a heavy tanker found the water-logged soil to be too soft. The truck was deeply mired. Heavy equipment had to brought in to pry the vehicle out onto the road. The next day I brought my wheelbarrow and shovel, and worked with the house-sitter to repair the chaos. We're hoping the absentee-owner doesn't come up until new grass has covered our extensive patchwork. I'm also hoping he doesn't read this site and hear of the mess.
Strangely enough, just days after the owner decided to sell, a couple of people passing by asked me about property. I took them down and introduced them to the caretaker. And after a second visit they were interested in purchasing. As I understand it, the owner must have panicked and assumed his initial price was not high enough since the response came so soon. The price was immediately raised another $50,000. I don't think I'll be getting new neighbours very soon.
On Saturday I completed the first spraying of dormant oil on the apple trees. The effort may have been wasted since a short rain shower later that afternoon probably washed most of it away. I'll try again the first opportunity.
While in the garden I noticed new leaves already developed on the roses. And some hyacinth blossoms were struggling out of the soil. I'm not the only one noticing the mild winter. These robins have been trying to hurry the season. A flock of them have been feeding all week at the roadside. By their colouring, they appear to be a mixture of male and female birds. Usually the first wave of birds returning north are all males trying to establish their territory. These are probably birds that didn't bother heading south last fall.
Incidentally, I hope everyone celebrated the big anniversary today: it was Mozart's 250th birthday.
Week ending Feb. 5, 2006.
It was a dark and stormy night!.
Actually we've had quite a few of them lately. I realize that anyone regularly reading this site is now tired of hearing about more storms and high tides. But this week they were even bigger and "badder".
The month of January decided to finish with a blast. More rain, winds up to 98 kph, and tides that were among the highest of the year. Marit and I each carried a flashlight all Tuesday evening; we expected total darkness at any time. Several times the electricity failed for a few seconds,just long enough to temporarily lose our satellite TV reception, but we remained miraculously powered all night.
The next storm hit Friday night. We were comparatively protected on our corner of the island but the east side and the southern tip of Denman were hammered quite badly. One resident who has lived here thirty years had "never seen anything like it"; logs being thrown high onto shore, and tide waters flooding beyond the beaches. Some trees that had survived decades of previous storms came down in this one. Access from the Hornby ferry was temporarily blocked by a tree down on the road.
The driving wind affected the tide, causing the highest tide in many years. Down beside my stairs to the beach I watched a large stump that has been there for years being floated and tossed.
Marit and I went "storm watching" Saturday morning at Filongly Park. A large tree had fallen across the road but had been cut and cleared. But the peak of the storm had passed by then and the waves were abating.
The creek that flows through the park was higher than I've ever seen it. It overflowed the gully and covered the pathways along its side. We couldn't walk to the creek mouth. Those who have visited the park previously won't recognize this picture of Bednell Creek (on the left). The top two pictures are from Filongly beach; Marit looking out north on the top, and south to Hornby and the open waters of Georgia Straight on the second..
But despite the strength of the winds and the rain, we've actually fared very well. We did not lose power once this week. And the temperature has been mild enough to keep the precipitation as rain, not snow. A few degrees colder and we would be in quite a sorry mess. As it is, my only casualty appears to be a young pine tree that has been blown at an angle. But I'll try and brace that upright with ropes for a year.
In other activities, during the few calm days, I've cut a few logs for the woodpile. These are in preparation for the winter of '08. I consider it my exercise program. Each piece had to be carried uphill.
In the garden, the last of the carrots were picked. And a few turnips were pulled and brought into the garage (so I wouldn't have to dig them in a rainstorm). Marit made a great salad from our arugula today. And the leeks are still in fine condition. That little plot of land keeps producing.
The forecast for the coming week is much better. So I suspect this will be the start of preparations for the coming season.
The Super Bowl just finished. Unfortunately we were hoping for the team that lost. Sorry, Seattle. But at least there were some fantastic commercials (which were the real reason I watch anyway). My favorite was the FedEx.
Week ending Feb. 12, 2006.
Surprise! A storm free week.
With no cloud cover at night, the mornings have been below freezing and the ground thick with frost. But the sun filled days have been beautiful. Working outdoors in the sunshine has been a treat, and several afternoons were so warm that I had to remove my jacket.
The crocuses are in full bloom. Thursday afternoon a garter snake was sunning itself on the slope; the first I've seen this year. And yesterday I got my first wasp sting of the season.
Actually I rushed the season on that one. I had been working with my mason bees, moving the blocks of wood containing mason bees in the drilled holes, when I felt a sliver piercing my hand. I didn't want to drop the bees, so I finished putting the blocks in their new location. Then I discovered the irritant wasn't a sliver; it was a wasp.
Apparently the wasp had snuggled up between the blocks of wood and hibernated there over the winter months. Being a female, it was very grouchy when disturbed. I discovered 8 more among the blocks when I carefully moved the rest. These were probably all queens; I believe they're the only ones that survive the winter. Well, there will now be nine less colonies on Denman this spring.
With this spring-like weather, naturally both of us have been hitting the garden; Marit in the flowers and ornamentals, and me in the vegetables. The large cover crop of winter rye has to be turned under to compost. I've started, and will work on it gradually when the weather cooperates.
Today I was back on the beach at Filongly Park helping with the monthly waterfowl count. There has been quite a change along this area since last week when Marit and I were storm-watching in the area. The upper tidal area is heavily littered with logs. Existing landmarks have been moved. One huge stump that has sat for at least a hundred years (according to an 80 year old native) has been moved and turned. A new water filled gully has been created; large enough to make beach travel difficult. And a remote area notorious for late night, hard-drinking beach parties has been obliterated by beach debris.
The bird count was a bit chaotic as there are now large concentrations of waterfowl spread everywhere throughout the waters. They are building up to a climax next month when many thousands will converge for the annual herring spawn. I was quite surprised to notice small fish jumping all along the beach quite close to the shore. They appeared to be salmon about 15 - 25 cm. in length.
During the count, a flock of 16 geese flew past. And one of the white domestic geese that I have been seeing was amongst them. So now we have been able to officially include the feral domestic goose in the inventory records. Its probably a nuisance for the biologist's statistics, but I'm rather tickled about it.
For those who share my interest in different birds I offer this photo of the telephone cable at the street in front of our house. No its not a vulture; its a 5 pound guinea fowl wondering how it got up that high. Its one of the flock that has been roaming wild in the neighbourhood for years.
Next week our weather is forecast to change. A weather pattern is expected to bring the cold arctic air down the coast. Temperatures are predicted to fall to -8 by Thursday; our coldest blast of winter so far. (The garden may have to wait).
If the weather permits (meaning no snow), Marit will travel into Port Moody on Tuesday and stay for the week. She'll celebrate Lise's birthday, one week belatedly. And will visit some of the friends that she now can only see occasionally.
My final whine for the week: I finally picked up my winter cold (A mild version of what Marit suffered earlier). And 30 hours later, the wasp sting has still left a hard lump of venom in my palm, just a little bit sore. Whimper, whimper.
Week ending Feb. 19, 2006.
Another week of sunshine, and a taste of cold weather.
The cold arctic air finally broke out onto the coast and brought a hint of winter. But only a hint. The rest of Canada would laugh if I suggested our -5 degrees centigrade at sunrise was cold. But it was cold enough this morning to form thin patches of ice in the middle of Baynes Sound.
The beach certainly looks different. The receding tide leaves ice, not water. And a morning stroll is rather treacherous
But the sunshine has been remarkably efficient. During the past few afternoons, I've had to remove my jacket and work in "shirt sleeves". And in the house, our windows are situated to receive the full benefit of the sun at this angle. Temperatures stayed so warm inside that I didn't light the fire for three evenings. So except for stepping out of bed in the mornings, I haven't been suffering.
These daffodils don't seem to be suffering either. Like many other early perennials they seem to completely ignore the freezing temperatures. Hollyhocks appear to thrive in the frost. But other plants, like California poppies that have insisted in staying green as long as possible, finally succumbed.
Marit just got back a few hours ago. She has been in the Vancouver area all week. She had two belated birthday celebrations there; one for our daughter, Lise, and another within her circle of Norwegian friends. She had a busy social agenda with her other old acquaintances too. And she's arrived home pretty tired from the trip.
I didn't find it a problem to be without the car all week. Walking to a meeting at the old school took only 40 minutes. In "the old days", children used to walk from far greater distances to that school. Every day. And home again. Now-a-days it would be considered "child abuse" I guess.
I also found that we have a good bus service in to Courtenay. After walking off the ferry, a bus connection in Buckley Bay goes quickly up the old highway into town. For seniors the ferry is free and the bus is only a dollar each way. Can't get much cheaper or simpler. Being an old codger has some benefits.
Back in the garden, most of the winter rye was dug over before the ground became too frozen. Digging is probably the hardest chore for sore backs. Cutting and carrying more logs for firewood was a lot easier.
When conditions weren't suitable for other outside activities, I made a seasons supply of new nesting cavities for the mason bees. They'll be coming out of hibernation next month, and I'm ready for them this year.
Incidentally, I may have been a little too casual with the wasp sting I wrote about last week. The next morning, about 40 hours after the sting, I awoke with my hand significantly swollen and had to resort to antihistamines.
Finally, I should alert anyone interested to some very dramatic local conflict. Two ravens appear to be building a nest at the end of out street (on the edge of the Piercy farm). They are encroaching on the territory of our local Northwest crow population. The two related species do not get along. The ravens have made some early forays into the heart of crow territory and have perched in the branches of a tall fir tree next door. They boldly waited until the attacking crows got tired of harassing them, then finally flew away. I prophesy great tension and warfare this nesting season, rivalling the Danish cartoon conflict.
Bird watching is not a dull pastime.
Week ending Feb. 26, 2006.
Finally! A reminder that its still winter.
Its been a chilly week, but the temperatures have always risen above freezing early in the day. Finally a light snowfall began yesterday afternoon, and by evening this snowy scene (on the left) greeted my camera flash.
In the first light this morning, I found about 5 cm. of snow had accumulated. But its very wet, and the milder temperatures are melting it rapidly.
The snowplow driving down our road this morning seemed a little ironic. Just two days ago the same driver came by with a street sweeper and swept up all the accumulated sand, salt, and dirt. Just a little premature perhaps.
This weather seems fitting for the ending of the olympic games. Canadian athletes did well. We were thrilled by some of the victories, and stunned by the loss of the men's hockey team. And one moment that will long be remembered by the country was a special gesture of sportsmanship; a coach for the Norwegian ski team handing a pole to a Canadian skier who's pole had broken in the race. Thank you Norway; she won silver.
There hasn't been much garden work done this week. The ground has been frozen much of the time. But surprisingly, many of the gardeners in the area have already planted their peas. And at least one has already planted his early potatoes. All I've managed to accomplish is to finally get my seeds ordered last Monday. I've never been very successful with the ultra-early plantings.
The cultural highlight of the week had to be the Taiwanese Lantern Festival in the neighbouring community of Cumberland. Marit, along with several neighbours, took a "ladies day out" and carpooled over to attend the event. Apparently it was quite a striking exhibition of artistic Chinese lanterns. There was also a large exhibition of dolls from Taiwan. At the end of the festival, candle-lit lanterns were released on balloons to soar into the sky carrying wishes for the new year. Somehow, in a forested area, this sounds rather risky. But at this time of the year I guess there's not too much danger.
My swan counting efforts haven't been very successful. The marsh which I have been assigned to monitor was largely frozen over on Tuesday. There was enough open water for some Bufflehead ducks. But no swans. Later I learned that some swans have been spending time just down the road at the Piercy farm in his bask field. He's not happy to have them visit since large numbers of them can damage the future hay crop. But next Tuesday I'll have to ask permission to scan his property.
This is the fifth winter we've spent in this house. And so far we've found it to be a solid well-built structure. Our chief builder, Wes Michim, was not only a great craftsman, he was a good mentor to me as the owner/contractor. He would often quietly suggest the appropriate time to order the trusses, or arrange for components that would be required. With his help the entire project went smoothly and I'm very grateful for his help.
He also had many interests. He was an avid fisherman, an artistic creator of metallic garden sculptures, and a craftsman of many projects from knife making to boat building. Yesterday we attended a memorial for him at his home. He died of lung cancer last month. Many of us on the island will miss him.
Wes was younger than me, which always leaves me a bit thoughtful of my own longevity. Thank god I've never smoked.
Week ending Mar 5, 2006.
Its that time of year again!
The annual herring spawn. Herring boats have been converging in the Comox harbour waiting for the fisheries department to identify the area and the time. It only takes a few hours for the big purse seiners to harvest their entire years quota.
Timing is critical. The herring must be captured when their roe is completely "ripe", but before they spawn. Sadly, only the roe is valuable. Everything else is simply turned into fish meal for fertilizer and animal food.
For some reason, (I'm sure its only coincidence), there's a big increase in the garbage floating with the tide. A chunk of Styrofoam bigger than a bathtub drifted by on Thursday. And I've been picking up several plastic components that have washed up on the beach.
Unlike previous years, we haven't had much indication of herring in this area. There haven't been any flocks of birds feeding on concentrations of fish. We haven't seen any sealions lately, and haven't even heard their usual serenades of nightly barking. Apparently very few have shown up at their usual spots on the log booms, or at Norris Rock on the other side of Denman Island. Strange!
I don't know if fishing has begun in any area. Boats have been traveling in both directions. Just now, one boat out front is slowly circling as if it were searching for something. On Friday, the ship "Cape Flattery" anchored and spent the night just outside by the light beacon. Its all interesting but I don't expect there will be any fishery within sight this year.
Another sign of spring yesterday was the annual "Comox Valley Seedy Saturday". This event originated with the local Seed Savers club meeting to swap their heirloom seeds and, for a price, make the rest of their locally raised seeds available to the public. It has since grown to include local commercial vendors of related products.
Their main focus is the preservation of heirloom, open pollinated, non-hybrid seeds. This is in opposition to the efforts of large corporations to patent hybrid developments and control the source and distribution of this most basic element of agriculture. Its unbelievable, but apparently true; lobbies are continuously trying to outlaw these traditional seeds and restrict availability to anything but the newly developed (and patented) hybrids.
I went early, hoping to find some quality asparagus roots. Alas, this year no vendors offered them. But I did find some great rhubarb plants to expand my plantation. This photo was taken of some outside vendors well before the opening time. Later the crowds were much larger.
We've been watching the development of the new loading ramp at the Buckley Bay ferry dock. (And we've been continuously hearing it for weeks). Apparently the old ramp, with its pilings and gears, has deteriorated over the years. (Ramming into it a few times probably hasn't helped either). It's now more practical to replace it than to repair it.
The process has been interesting. The crane has been dumping bargefulls of rock, building a sloping ramp to the causeway. The lengths are marked on the crane's cable and after each load a surveyor monitored the depth. The rock ramp appears to have been finished; I guess the pilings are next.
And one last item; Wildlife. No, not wild parties; new animals. Last week four raccoons were seen scampering across the road. One night they dug up an area of the garden where I've been burying some kitchen compost. And last Tuesday I found a dead guinea hen next door, partially eaten. The next day it had been completely taken away.
We've been free from raccoons for at least a century. The neighbouring island, Hornby, has "always" had them. But I was told that all raccoons have recently died there of some epidemic. (Maybe bird flu got them).
Here, the neighbourhood chickens are now in danger. And the local corn crops are threatened. I'm relying on our local farmer to resolve the threat with his 12 gauge solution. Preferably after they clean up all the guineas.
Week ending Mar 12, 2006.
It was different. Slow and drawn-out. And its over.
The first we saw of the big herring fishery on Monday was a group of boats well to the south . There was no activity in front of our area. Until dusk.
By nightfall, groups of boats with nets full of fish drifted north. They were waiting for the packer boats to come and vacuum the herring from their nets. We watched the operation well into the night. The boats were all well lit, and their lights made the spectacle more intriguing.
Tuesday morning the boats gathered again; this time right outside of our house. But there was no excitement, no urgency, no rush. They just drifted around until one boat finally set out its net. A second boat eventually did likewise some distance away; and the rest just watched. The fishery officers occasionally came speeding by in their zodiac, but there was no aerial surveillance like previous years. Eventually the other boats just left.
Oh, the seiners that did set their nets caught fish. They received the full treatment; the packer tied up alongside and vacuumed the catch into the hold. (Picture below, left). But maybe there weren't enough herring schools in the area? Or maybe the roe was not yet fully developed? I don't know.
Later that afternoon we began to see the first real signs of herring in our area. Hundreds of gulls began to arrive. And some sealions appeared and started feeding. They stayed around for a couple days, but the boats never did return. I saw the seiners fishing once further north , around Henry Bay. And several times this week the fleet has sailed past us heading south only to return a few hours later.
In our area there was no herring spawn; no eggs washed up on the beach, and no lingering smell of fish that lasts for weeks.
But despite the casual appearance of this years fishery, there were moments of tragedy. There were severe storms this week. One packer returning to Vancouver with a full load of fish radioed a distress call just south of Qualicum. He apparently sank in over 400 feet of water (130 meters) and has not been found.
In addition to the gale mid week, there was another blast of snow. It fell heavily north of us in Comox and Courtenay; even heavier in Campbell River. Some even fell here later in the morning; enough to cover things with a wet white layer for a few hours. But it didn't last.
With all this activity, we didn't know what to expect today when we conducted our monthly waterfowl count. Traditionally March has the largest concentration of water birds in this area; they gather to feed on the herring spawn. But as we walked the beach this afternoon we found virtually nothing except gulls; hundreds and hundreds of gulls. As we walked and watched at each of the locations we monitor, we were astonished at the lack of any kind of ducks.
Finally as we approached the end of our area we found a large concentration near the mouth of the creek in Filongly Park. The majority were Common Goldeneye, but there were large numbers of Bufflehead and Scaup. And a thousand more gulls.
But many of the species were absent. We saw almost no Loons, Harlequins, or any species of Scoter. Normally we would expect thousands of them. And the gulls were all Mew Gulls and Glaucous-winged Gulls; There were none of the other species with black wing tips. We can only assume that they followed the herring to another location.
At home, things plod along. I managed to start my new rhubarb plantation with six roots snuggly transplanted into the new bed. I've heard spring is coming soon.
Week ending Mar 19, 2006.
Don't build too close to the edge.
That's good advice whether you're building a house or a woodpile. During the winter I had collected a large pile of logs and stacked them along the edge of our path to the beach. Sometime during Thursday night, the pile tipped over. A few logs stayed on the slope but most crashed all the way down to the beach.
Fortunately my daughter, Lise, has been visiting with us earlier this week and she had carried quite a few logs up to the woodshed for me. I guess the rest of the pile felt rejected and threw a temper tantrum after she left. Most of my Friday was spent toting wood up the steps from the shore to the woodshed. After the first forty trips, the logs started to feel very heavy. All the fallen logs have now been retrieved, split, and stacked in stable row beside the house. The remnants still standing on the path may wait until someone needing exercise comes to visit. (Hint, hint)
My logs weren't the only thing littering the beach this week. Monday morning the tide left this strange structure. I don't know what it was, but its the largest "man-made" object that has washed up here.
The platform is actually curved, not flat. And the thick timbers were becoming quite rotten and riddled with toredo worm holes. Next day the tide had carried it further; around the corner to the next cove. Maybe eventually Comox will have to figure out what to do with it.
On Wednesday we had another pleasant reminder that the world is a small place. A Norwegian lady was visiting her daughter, friends of ours, in the Vancouver area. While in Canada, she also wanted to visit an old friend that she went to school with many, many years ago. That old friend had moved to the west coast of Canada, to a place called Union Bay. Which is right across from Denman Island.
So Marit phoned and invited Randi (the Norwegian visitor) and Signhild (the Union Bay resident) over for lunch. (That's Randi on the right, Signhild in the middle, and of course Marit on the left).
In other events; I found the garden club meeting Wednesday night to be very interesting. The topic was winter gardening (now is the time to plan and prepare for it). But the speaker revealed that she is able to eat fresh vegetables from her garden every day of the year, without the bother of freezing or canning the produce. We live in a great climate; just plant cold- hardy vegetables for the winter months.
One of her secrets was just to not buy any vegetables at the supermarket, and force herself to go out into the garden to find something available. When I think of it, I'm still harvesting fresh rutabagas, and the leeks are still thriving well. We still have lots of potatoes, ample Butternut Squash, and more than enough garlic. Maybe with a crop of Russian Kale and some Oriental Radish we wouldn't have to visit the produce section of Save-On-Foods.
Despite the clouds and rain earlier this week, the sunshine has come through for the weekend. The weather seems to be preparing to welcome in the first day of spring tomorrow. Gardening time is about to begin.
Actually we've already started. Marit has spent time cleaning and tidying the flower beds. I've had a row of garden peas in for a week now. And the first two rows of potatoes have been planted. One row will be dedicated to an early harvest of nugget sized new potatoes.
That funny looking structure in the middle of the garden is a crude cold frame. I cut up an old piece of plywood that drifted up on the beach, and finally put to use an old aluminum window that's been saved for years. The sawdust piled against the sides provides a bit of insulation. The hardest task is to remember to open the window when it gets too hot. I may have already fried the first seeds (40 degrees Centigrade yesterday).
Like all seasons, it will be interesting to see how this one progresses.
Week ending Mar 26, 2006.
The Black Brant are heading north.
The spring migration of Black Brant has been streaming north during the past three days. Black Brant are a species of geese; they winter from the Puget Sound south to Mexico.
Occasionally they fly "up there" like normal birds, but more commonly they fly swiftly just above the surface of the water. The picture to the right is our usual view of the passing flocks. (Click on the image to enlarge it). We look up to see most passing birds but look down to see the Brant.
Earlier in the week several large flocks of Trumpeter Swans passed overhead on their way north. The sight was spectacular. Not many swans are left in the fields in Courtenay. And next Tuesday will be the last day of the swan inventory for this season.
The Forsythia has just begun blooming. In this area that's one of the first signals to get active in the garden. "Prune your roses when the forsythia blooms" etc. Another plant closely watched is the flowering current. The blossoms on our bushes are swollen and should bloom very soon. This signals the arrival of the hummingbirds. I boiled my sugar water and put out the feeder earlier this week, just in case they came early.
And even though its not part of the traditional folklore, the early arrival of spring at our house is the heralded by the blooming of the Clematis Armandii. I was a little too enthusiastic when I pruned last fall so the vines above our guest room are not quite as lush as last year. But that's only a temporary condition.
Ah spring. The beauty of new growth, the perfumed smell of blossoms, and the sound of ... helicopters. All day long. From early morning light until dusk for the past week and a half. The sound has been coming from directly across Baynes Sound.
There has been extensive growth in the Comox Valley, and several additional huge developments are being planned. To provide the electricity, another high voltage distribution line is required. And the helicopters are being used to install the towers and the cables. I understand the need and can't complain. (Except to say that their constant droning is almost as aggravating as a power weeder.) I guess I should really appreciate the activity since electricity revenue pays for my pension cheque.
In the garden, the results of our toils are completely invisible. We have played a game of "musical chairs" with the plants. We dug up shrubs that seemed unhappy or unsuitable in their locations, moved them replacing other plants, and swapped plants back into the initial sites. Lots of change but none of it is apparent. The rows of potatoes appear dormant. And I'm not sure if the peas are lazy of if I've been feeding the robins a hearty breakfast. I finally protected the seeds with a tent of remay cloth, just in case.
Tiny marigold seedlings have sprouted in the cold frame. Now the challenge will be to avoid frying them, drying them out, or having them succumb to a fungus.
And finally, there was a great seminar on Saturday morning; learning how to prevent birds from flying into our windows. The trick is to have a silhouette of their most feared enemy in the window. Not a hawk or an eagle shape; but a falcon with pointed wings and a long narrow tail.
Finally I learn, after scores of birds have fluttered off with splitting headaches. Plus a few buried beside our old pet cat.
Week ending Apr 02, 2006.
Its looking more like spring every day.
The main crop of daffodils is now blooming. The flowering current blossoms have opened, and the hummingbirds have started returning. At 8:10 AM Thursday, March 30th, the first hummingbird appeared at our feeder. It was a male, of course. They arrive first to claim their territories before the females arrive.
Later that same day I watched a chestnut-backed chickadee carrying nesting material to a birdhouse. It was devious, trying not to be obvious. It loitered, flew to different trees and branches with its building material, and only when it was satisfied that no predator was watching would it quickly dart into the house. I'm happy to see them take up residence since there were so few of them around this winter. But they chose the wrong house. They took the house designed for and used by the swallows. It'll be interesting to see what happens in a few weeks when the violet-green swallows return to their territory.
Across the street, the neighbour's flowering plums have just started their early spring display. They have quite a plantation and the sight is quite striking.
Unfortunately all this spring beauty indicates that lawn mowing will soon be required. I refuse to fertilize. But earlier this week I did lime the lawn. Over 400 pounds of dolomite lime was spread over the grass. The soil in this area is very acidic and needs regular applications of lime for most crops.
Not much has happened yet in the garden. I finally harvested the rest of the leeks on Saturday. Marit processed and froze them for use in soups later. In the cold frame I've seeded some cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and lettuce in pots for early transplanting. (Its darn hard remembering to open and close that glass lid depending on the temperature. I'm glad my survival doesn't depend on success).
Oh, there is one success in the garden worth bragging about; earthworms. Everywhere I dig in the vegetable patch seems to be teeming with earthworms. That must be a tribute to no chemicals, and lots of organic garbage dug into the soil.
Last Monday we had an interesting display out on the water.
A tugboat came very slowly up Baynes Sound pulling a large raft of logs. I don't know where this logboom had been previously situated (that's what they're called here, "booms" of floating logs; it may not be in your dictionary). But the boom had obviously been the resting site for the local sea lions. They were quite content and didn't bother getting off.
By using the full extension of my telephoto lens I was able to get this picture of the logboom and its passengers. They weren't quiet. But they sounded happy; barking loudly while getting a free ride towards their northern breeding ground.
That same afternoon, while down on the beach gathering seaweed, I had another surprise; a bird I hadn't expected there. Hopping at the water's edge was a Yellow-rumped Warbler (that's what it's called now; it used to be an Audubon's Warbler.) Its a seldom seen bird of the trees and bushes, but there it was hopping among the seaweed on the beach. It was probably migrating northward, and stopped for a feed of insects and crustaceans.
The scene on the right was taken yesterday on Lacon Road. It's midway along the western coast of Denman. Spring is trying to establish its presence.
But for more spectacular seasonal viewing, I recommend viewing the Hornby eagles nest.. We have eagles on Denman too, but at this site on Hornby Island, a webcam has been mounted beside an eagles nest and provides live coverage of nesting eagles. It will be especially interesting to watch after the eggs hatch. Yesterday morning at the Denman Old School, there was a public presentation of last years videotaped highlights. Extremely interesting.
And lastly, I want to clarify that I was incorrect last week about the cause of the helicopter activity. Power line space has been cleared but no construction on the towers has yet begun. The helicopters were only carrying logs from an area called Swamper Lake to waiting logging trucks.
Week ending Apr 09, 2006.
Look! Up in the sky. Its a bird, its a plane, its,,,, yes, its a plane.
On Friday we were "entertained" by five small planes practicing aerobatic formation flying. They were very good; I guess they're preparing for the Comox Air Show later this summer. They certainly raised our adrenaline level twice when they appeared to roar directly toward us and flew very low over our roof. I quietly prayed that none would experience engine failure.
< But I was also very concerned about the excessive exhaust fumes from their engines. The dark blue smoke trails were very obvious as they settled on Union Bay. And the air did become quite hazy. It can't be healthy. (Enlarge the picture on the right by clicking on it to see what I mean).
We have at least one individual living on Denman Island who has extremely sensitivity to chemical pollutants. Those emissions would have been enough to cause a toxic shock reaction.
We're also experiencing a different display of aerobatic flying. Moments ago there were four hummingbirds filling up at our feeder, preparing for their night-long hibernation. The scene reminded me of bees around a hive. Now that our neighbour, Bill Hanson, has moved there are less feeders in the area. And we are becoming very popular in Humming-ville.
Its "that time of the year" again, and the White Fawn Lilies are blooming. They're often called Easter Lilies too since they bloom at that time. The scientific name is Erythronium oregonum. But regardless of the name, they are exceptionally beautiful wild flowers blooming along the slopes of the shore.
These plants are very delicate and do not respond well to transplanting. When building this house, I found two plants in a site that was about to be bulldozed. I tried very carefully to dig a large clump of earth and move them without disturbing their roots, but was unsuccessful. They went into shock and completely deteriorated in the following days. They have to be enjoyed and left where they grow.
Unfortunately, too many of the sites are becoming unattractive. This (right photo) is the current state of the property just north of ours. The lilies are still blooming, if they can be seen amidst the debris.
But on the bright side, the brush, and piled debris are fine habitat for many of the woodland birds. On the brush-filled slope this week I had my first ever sighting of a Cassin's Vireo. It had me searching the books for a few hours for its identity.
One of the major projects this week has been the creation of a small retaining wall on our back slope. It's being built using landscape timbers anchored with lengths of rebar. The intention is to stabilize the upper slope with its ornamental planting, and to separate it from the lower region that is being left in a natural state. Currently the upper section looks barren; what a difference when the summer growth erupts.
I've run out of material and will have to travel to Courtenay next week before continuing with the wall.
Erik came over and joined us this weekend. And like a good son, he pitched in and completed some of my chores. He carried up the remaining logs, chopped them all, and piled the firewood. You city people who merely adjust the thermostat for heat in the winter don't realize the importance of this task. It's a big job and a major concern.
Come to think of it, I neglected to even thank him. Erik, I apologize. Thank you for the big effort.
In our monthly waterfowl inventory this weekend, we experienced a bonanza. Thousands and thousands of birds were out there on the waters of Lambert Channel. We must have counted at least 2,000 Pacific Loons in our survey area. And I can remember there were 470 Brant, a species of black goose. There were still a lot of herring in the waters and the concentration of eagles kept the ducks alert and jumpy. There was so much movement among the mass of birds that slow methodical counting was impossible. Often close estimates were the best that could be achieved.
Surprisingly there were still a number of scoters and other species that would normally have headed to the northern breeding grounds by now. Somehow they seem to know that spring hasn't yet completely arrived up there.
Here, it's still cool enough to require fires in the morning. But for several days the temperatures have risen to 17 degrees at our front door, and I've almost been ready to work in T-shirts again. But not quite.
Maybe next week.
Week ending Apr 16, 2006.
April can be a difficult month.
This weekend has been cool and wet. Unlike parts of Vancouver, we haven't had any snow. But during a brief break in the clouds this morning I was surprised to see how low the snow had fallen in the hills across the water. We haven't had any frost for weeks, but a fire is regularly required in the stove and the woodshed is still emptying.
The green things (the lawn and the weeds) have started growing. One dry afternoon last week I cut the lawn for the first time this year. Its almost long enough to be cut again. If I ever fertilized this lawn, I don't think we could possibly keep up with the yard work.
The weeds. They've just started their explosion. I've spent a couple days stirring them out of the bark mulched areas, and picking them out of the garden beds. Its easiest before they're established and grown.
And since the weeds have begun growth, its time to get serious with garden. All the beds have been dug and hoed. Lime (dolomite) has been applied to all beds except the potatoes and the strawberries. And late this afternoon the leeks were seeded into their raised bed.
< The first potatoes (five of them now) have poked their leaves through the ground. But I'll have to keep my eagerness in check; there's still three weeks of potential frost at night. So the tender plants and their seeds will have to wait for warmer weather.
Marit's flower garden is progressing . The winter heather blooms are beginning to fade. But the spring bulbs are starting their display and the other shrubs are emerging and budding.
During the occasional sunny afternoons, Marit has had such a great time in her garden beds that my supper has been threatened. Indeed; one evening I was advised that the food was warm, I could dish it up myself, and she would be in to eat later. Hmm,,, am I beginning to play second fiddle to a strawberry plant?
The other food fight that continuously rages is at the sugar-water feeder. Male hummingbirds don't share well. They don't take turns well either, and don't like to even see another bird at "their" feeder. I don't know if they ever injure each other in their duels but those beaks look like dangerous weapons.
The only species I have ever seen on this island are Rufous Hummingbirds. I'm always watching for that first Anna's Hummingbird to show up at the feeder. Apparently they've been seen in Courtenay. Incidentally these pictures were taken earlier this morning, as were all pictures shown on todays site.
I have no pictures of it, but today we were invited to a gathering at the neighbours for Easter brunch. The food was delicious and the company enjoyable. Because of the weather we were mostly inside. Its astonishing how loud the noise can become when 45 gregarious people gather under one roof.
As to other developments this week, I'm almost finished the retaining wall. (Just need another couple of timbers). And I'm almost, finished installing a new door upstairs. After 2 weeks its about 3/4 complete; buying a 4 inch doorframe for a 6 inch wall didn't help. Getting supplies for these projects was an adventure itself. When about to pay in Courtenay, I discovered I'd forgotten my wallet at home. Its a big trip back to Denman.
Marit seems concerned; muttering something about memory, or dementia.
Week ending Apr 23, 2006.
Any notable events that I can report this week? Not really.
There was our wedding anniversary earlier in the week, but after 42 of them it isn't such a novel event anymore. In fact, I can hardly remember back that far.
There was also another birthday. But I've already been a senior for a year, so another notch isn't very exciting.
I'll have to say the major events for us were the two visits this weekend; the arrival of warm sunny weather, and the visit of my son, Erik, with two of his long-time friends, Lenny and Keith.
These pictures give an idea of the weather that finally arrived. I don't know how high the temperature rose; I did notice it was 18 today in the early afternoon.
Can you detect the small boat in the middle of the photo on the right? (you may have to enlarge the picture). Twice the boys were out on Baynes Sound trying their luck. They released the only rockfish that they caught. I suspect the local fish are still too full after feasting on herring.
For those scanning the telephoto picture on the left, yes there are three flotation vests in the boat. But they're being sat upon, not worn.
During three sessions of poker this weekend (Texas Hold'em) I discovered that my poker skills have seriously deteriorated. And later I found my bocci playing ability has significantly declined. Maybe there is some truth to this theory about aging. (Although, I do have the worlds most challenging bocci course on my front lawn).
And age we did. Two birthdays were celebrated; mine a few days late, and Erik's a few days early. We're both Tauruses, a week apart.
They went back later this afternoon. Lenny, did you leave your camera behind as an excuse to return next weekend? Or do you want me to send it by courier.
Week ending Apr 30, 2006.
Spring on the root cellar.
When I built this root cellar to store our crop a couple years ago, planting bulbs was just an afterthought. But the site appears to be ideal. It drains well and is quite dry in the summer when the bulbs are dormant.
Unfortunately the roof allows far too much water in the winter rains. I'll have to remove the top garden later this summer and cap the structure with some water-proof compound. I hope the bulbs will tolerate the transplanting when I finally replace the soil.
In one more week we will have passed the "last frost" date. (Its been ominous; we haven't had any frost for weeks. I'm just waiting for that last killing frosty night.) Soon the serious planting can begin.
In preparation for major gardening, the Denman Island Garden Club held its annual plant sale on Saturday. Local gardeners contributed their extra plants; cuttings, divisions, and seedlings. Marit and I had potted up our contributions, and Friday afternoon I filled the trunk, back seat, front seat, and floorboards, and drove up with them.
The volunteers were capable, knowledgable, and well experienced from previous years. As can be seen in this picture of the Saturday morning preparation before the sale, everything was well organized.
The only concern, (beside protection from the deer during the night), was early shoppers jumping the 10:00 AM opening. That was addressed by our ingenious security guard. He was brilliant. With a "uniform" of authority, you can be as gruff and authoritative as necessary. And when you're wearing a false nose and moustache, no one can be too offended.
The sale and its associated raffle was successful. Astoundingly successful, with the profit "in the four figures". (Suitably vague?) We can afford the rent, and an interesting array of guest speakers in the coming year.
Unfortunately, not all the enterprises on Denman are fully successful. The "Cafe-on-the-Rock"; our local cafe adjoining the general store, has closed. Now the main coffee shop and eatery is the around the corner at the Denman Bakery. They have a daily menu selection as well as their selection of piazza (which are very good). But they're closed Sunday (when most needed by visitors) and Monday. The only other restaurant is the Denman Island Guest House.
I wonder if Tim Hortens could be persuaded to open here?
Marit spent the weekend in Vancouver; visiting with the kids, shopping a little, and attending a function with her old "sewing club". The trip between the Nanaimo ferry terminal and Buckley Bay is astonishingly easy with the IslandLink Express Bus. It picks up and delivers at a convenient site and time. And its just about as fast as driving directly in your own car. I recommend it. Marit walked on the ferry coming home and I picked her up at the landing.
While waiting for the ferry, I noticed this cormorant putting on quite a show on the nearby piling; sunning itself and drying its feathers. This one is a Double-Crested Cormorant; one of the three species that regularly habituate this area.
Back in the garden, Marit was surprised to see the changes that have developed during her few days of absence. These small species tulips were now in full bloom above our front wall. Our first rhododendron is just starting its period of bloom. It was also our first rhodo planted here many years ago; a gift from my mother before she died.
In May, the growing season will explode presenting me with a few personal challenges; keeping up with nature's schedule, tackling new projects, and cleaning up the unfinished activities that I've put off until "later".
Its now later! < ==================================================================================================================
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