Told you so!
Last week I showed the leaning tree (lower right) and warned it would cause the next power outage. Shortly after noon on Monday, it occurred.
Marit had been at weaving and came home when the electricity failed. I drove up and took the above picture. A local hero had already arrived with his chain saw and proceeded to clear the road even though the tree was laying across the wires.
Now, I'm going to make another prediction which I hope will never happen. If these events continue, someone will be electrocuted. Residents on Denman have become far too casual about fallen power lines. In past weeks, some people have actually picked up loose wires and tossed them out of the way while they cleared fallen timber. BC Hydro repair crews just shake their heads when they arrive and find only sawdust laying among their fallen cables.
In my previous life (as an employee of BC Hydro) I received basic safety training to qualify me to enter power substations (for computer related activities). And I recognize the danger of even approaching a downed live wire. A tree laying on wires is potentially fatal. Just leave it until a repair crew arrives.
In the house, Christmas decorations have all been taken down and stored for another year. Christmas lights have been removed from the eaves outside. We're back to basic functions of bringing in firewood and waiting for signs of spring. Marit feels particularly confined since her knee has still not recovered sufficiently from the operation. The hockey tournaments have been a great diversion. Congratulations to the Canadian Juniors; world hockey champions.
Between storms however, conditions have been quite pleasant. When the weak sunlight manages to filter through, temperatures have risen to as high as 12 degrees. And we are able to do a little cleanup and scavenging outside.
During interludes, I've spent some time gathering firewood that has become available as a result of the storms. A large fir tree fell along the edge of the shore just below us. I've already managed to bring up those branches and cut the limbs to stove length: next the main trunk. This scavenging is important when at least two cords a year are required to keep warm. And the climb, carrying the logs up the beach stairs is a terrific aerobic exercise.
The birds continue to amuse us. A varied thrush has joined the crowd for regular feeding, although its very skittish if it sees any movement. For several weeks now the California quail and a female pheasant have continued to show up together. I wonder, could this be the avian equivalent of the Odd Couple?
Well, from the weather forecast I see that conditions will be changing again. Colder weather is coming with possible snow later in the week. But sunshine is expected by Thursday, with temperatures plunging to -9 degrees.
Stay tuned.
Magnificent sunny days. Finally!
According to the Vancouver broadcasters, this was the first full day of sunshine since Halloween. Denman must have had better weather than Vancouver. Even with my poor memory I can recall some sunny days since the end of October. I think.
However the week didn't begin in such a fine manner. Yes, another storm, the 14th of the season arrived Monday night. I heard the winds blowing when I woke, as usual, at 6:00 A.M. Just as I started downstairs to light a fire in the stove, a powerful gust of wind shook the house and the electricity failed. Wonderful timing. If it had occurred earlier I would have stayed under the blankets until dawn. But since I was dressed and up, ... I wanted coffee, right NOW! After starting the fire, I set up the generator and probably woke most of the neighbourhood when it roared into action. (But my coffee maker purred happily).
The problem was island-wide; both Denman and Hornby were blacked out. Response was quick, and power was restored in just over an hour. But later in the morning it failed again and the generator was restarted. Disaster; after a few minutes the generator stopped. And the cause was not lack of fuel. I subsequently discovered the push-rod had broken in the Briggs & Stratton engine. "Houston, we have a problem"
Luckily, BC Hydro was just as prompt fixing this blackout and power was restored before noon. Incidentally, for those readers outside of Canada who have been following our series of storm adventures, this storm also hammered Vancouver and inflicted even more damage to devastated Stanley Park. The news video reports were astounding.
We've had no further storms, but the cold arctic air has now poured out into this south-west corner of B.C. and brought a different taste of winter. We've been down to -7, but other areas have had it much colder. And yes, some snow. But not the 15 cm that fell in Vancouver; just a 1 cm layer that was more like heavy frost.
Marit took the picture (above, right) from the second floor sun deck. The frost and ice on the glass railing indicate the current conditions. Its funny, that glass is exactly how I remember the windows of her home in Norway 45 years ago.
Despite the colder weather she's been active taking long walks to exercise her knee. And she's as involved as ever with the weaving group now that the Christmas season is over (as long as the old school has heat and power).
I've been spending some time with the trees and branches blown down in the storms. Remember that Douglas Fir that blew down by the shoreline? Here it is (left picture) neatly cut, split, and carried up from the beach. I've subsequently added more and now have half a cord ready for next winter's fires.
The garden is still producing. I purposely left many of the crops in the ground to see if they last better than in storage. These turnips seem to be faring well under a thin blanket of straw. And the winter beets in the bed behind me were still tender last week. Earlier in the winter a heavy snow partially flattened the cabbages but they have survived growing in their new sideways position. I'm curious to find how well the carrots survive the frozen conditions. I neglected to cover them with a bedding of straw at the start of the season. The leeks in the background look a little bedraggled but I know they'll continue to produce well for the next couple of months.
Marit's flower garden still provides colour and winter interest. She's been spending time cleaning up the old stalks when weather permits.
Speaking of weather: back to my generator. I've called for help. Stuart, a local mechanic and general fix-it has ordered a new push-rod. If the proper part arrives within the usual 10 day delivery cycle, he should have my emergency equipment operational in two weeks.
Meanwhile I'm requesting that no more storms be sent to this area until at least the end of the month. A little cooperation would be appreciated.
Sure, there's been some winds and a few fallen trees, but most of the island (including us) never lost power. Yes there's been more snow, but here at the ocean's edge there was still hardly more than a thick frost. And the cold arctic air has been replaced by a milder flow from the western Pacific. My rain gauge currently registers 25 mm.
I hadn't noticed the greyness but when the sun came out on Saturday, the world looked vastly different. I spent time exploring on the beach during low tide. During winter, the really low tides occur only during the night but on Saturday afternoon they were low enough to allow a walk to the light beacon on the rocks below us. All this week's pictures were taken during that stroll in the sunshine.
The top picture was taken, facing north, on the "beach" just below our stairs. After walking out to the light beacon I turned and took this picture (right) back toward the house. The red trim of our roof can be seen on the enlarged picture. That same perspective taken with a zoom lens is shown below; that's our house nestled in the trees. Then I turned south and took this slightly different photo of out ferry dock, (lower right). (We're still using that smaller ferry while our regular craft is being refitted.) Finally, the bottom picture shows some storm damage on the shore a couple hundred meters south of us.
I was really captured by the magic on the rocks by the light beacon. The various sea ducks were making their melodious noises while feeding; (singing? calling? Who knows?) And a Bald Eagle, Blue Heron, and Belted Kingfisher each took turns performing their aria. But my reverie was interrupted when I realized the tide was flowing back.
After checking with the tide tables, I think that by the end of the week the tides will be low enough to allow access to the oyster beds. We haven't eaten oysters for a long time. (I guess I COULD have gone down anytime with a flashlight after midnight, but its cold and miserable).
Speaking of food, a highlight of my week was the monthly meeting of the Denman Gardening Club. The topic of the guest speaker, Phyllis Fabbi, was "winter vegetables". Phyllis has lived on Denman for many years and is known for eating fresh vegetables from her garden year round. She uses no greenhouse; no cold frame; doesn't can, freeze, or dry to preserve them. She just uses what is currently available in the garden.
I can see the wisdom in her concepts. We've stopped trying to preserve broccoli or cauliflower; it just doesn't taste good. Even frozen beans don't taste the same as the seasonal fresh produce. We live in an area where crops CAN be harvested all year. The selection may be limited in some periods but the fresh produce would be appreciated so much more when it is in season.
Still, I like our jams and jellies. And our sauces and berries on the breakfast cereal, and the frozen peas,.... Maybe I could compromise.
Since this has been a quiet week, I'd like to mention a couple other things before closing. First, please be aware that I've managed to include pictures in the recent Diary entries; only the small "thumbnail" images, not the larger expansions. I can only store the past month of pictures; my server has a limited storage allocation. But if you missed a week or two, they can be reviewed with images intact.
Second; computer viruses. I practice Safe Surfing. I use a virus checker. I have a firewall, both software and hardware. I regularly scan for spyware. And I use a custom Host file. Last week this protection caught an email with an attachment carrying the "Netsky.B" virus. The system worked!
But just to be safe I took the time to scan my hard drive. And to my astonishment, up in my "Documents and Settings" volume, I found the "Nuwar@MM" virus lurking. I have no idea how it may have arrived, but I had it eradicated. (I think. I hope!)
Both of these viruses are over four years old and yet they're still active and circulating. I encourage everyone to keep their protection updated. And don't open attachments unless you're SURE.
Unfortunately, the price of constant vigilance is indifference. Be careful.
Yes, fog has been dancing in and around Baynes Sound. Sometimes today it hung as a low tantalizing curtain across the water (picture left), and moments later it would swirl to cover everything in sight. It has become heavier tonight and is drifting outside our windows. Background music has been provided by the sound of the fog horn on the ferry as it crosses the water. This ferry doesn't have a great-full throated horn; its sound tends to crack into more of a bleat instead of a blast.
The horn has been great accompaniment to the drone of the logging helicopters. There has been a concentrated logging operation in a steep inaccessible ravine nearby in the Beaufort Mountains. The loggers are attacking a valuable stand of old growth timber in a narrow watershed and are probably trying to complete the project quickly before any conservation group or environmental investigators can interfere. Another reminder to us on Denman to protect what we have left.
Last Wednesday I explored one of those small areas that has been protected by the Denman Conservancy Association. Wednesday has come to be the traditional hiking day. And for the first time since her knee operation, Marit went off with her ladies walking group to the north end of Denman. Since men are forbidden to join their excursions, I walked up to "Winter Wren Woods", a parcel of protected land beside Chickadee Lake.
Winter Wren Wood is generally thought of as a nature trail, a parking lot, and the access to a launching area on Chickadee Lake (above right). (There was a thin layer of ice on the lake, by the way.) But I came to explore the seldom visited area of the park, on the south side of Lake Road.
The trail through this southern portion is rather faint. And in a couple of areas the path is obliterated by fallen trees and branches; a legacy of our winter storms. But this area has a special beauty of its own. These last four pictures give a hint of the diversity and interest in the area. The greenery, specially the ferns, moss and lichens, are stark reminders that this area is a west coast rain forest. Denman in January. I was very taken with the small pond that appeared along side the trail (below, left). Some appropriate mystic name should someday be given to this spot.
I'll talk soon with the Conservancy about maintenance of the trail. If appropriate I may spend some time with a saw and open the path again myself. The area deserves to be accessible.
Incidentally, Marit completed her walk fine. There were no significant climbs in the hike and she was able to complete the trek with the other walkers. (But it was sorer than usual when she got home and was finally able to ice her knee).
Last week I mentioned the lower winter tides that were occurring. This week I was finally able to access the upper area of the oyster beds. On Thursday we had our first oyster feed this winter. The flavor was even better than any I remember and I'm not sure if it was because the oysters were in supreme condition this time of year, or if Marit had a special touch with a great recipe, or simply because of the long abstinence. Probably all three.
I've mentioned many times previously that I'm involved with a group who monitor the population of Trumpeter Swans over wintering in this area. Every Tuesday morning I travel to Middle Marsh to enumerate the swam population in that area. Usually I have to remind myself that zero is still a valid census report. But last Tuesday I found five trumpeter swans feeding in the marsh grass. (Actually I watched five swan rear-ends as they hung upside down feeding almost a meter deep in the water. With the long neck they had a distinct advantage over the Mallard ducks swimming amongst them.) The previous week, I was astonished to find ten of them walking on the ice at the head of the marsh. Suddenly this project has meaning.
Next Thursday a special night school course is being given at the Community School; "Using a Generator". Many people have acquired a portable generator recently as a result of the storms and frequent power loss. There is a fear that some may connect their generator inappropriately and cause a safety hazard. A local electrician, who is now working as a lineman, is presenting the two hour course. Sounds like a timely offering. (And it'll help him avoid being electrocuted when someone fires up their unit while he is working on their utility lines.) Incidentally, no; the part for my broken generator still hasn't arrived.
A final note: our weather is apparently about to change. Even though we now have a good frost in the mornings with temperatures down to -3, the forecasters say the temperatures are going to plunge at the end of the week. Plunge! That's such an ominous word. We'll see.
Stay tuned.
Actually its the steady fog that has caused a mild depression in many people here. Something about the general greyness seems to bother people. Oh, there were a few moments of sunshine (when all the pictures were taken) but some folk were even wishing for rain instead of the steady thick mist. Today they got their wish. As to the temperature "plunge" that was predicted; the forecasters must have been reading an old edition of "Farmer's Almanac". It wasn't even near freezing last night.
After all the storms and power outages earlier this winter, we're pleased to see that BC Hydro is doing some preventative maintenance on the island. They've hired a professional tree service agency from the Comox Valley to trim all the tree branches along the powerline right-of-way. Two of these large hydraulic units were working along our street Thursday morning.
This pruning is desperately needed. The crew on the right were working just beside out property. Another challenge in the frost (left) was waiting a few properties down.
Years ago on our street some people planted hedges for privacy. Being in a rustic rural area, they dug and replanted native seedlings like Western Red Cedars. And these little seedlings have constantly striven to achieve their destiny; sixty meter giants. Its in their genes. With all our human intelligence, we never seem to connect the dots and realize that these characteristics are not appropriate under a power line.
My problems this week have been rather minor. My intelligence level doesn't seem high enough to be able to master piling wood. Twice this week my stack of future firewood has rumbled down against the house. Its my exercise program you see, gathering branches and trees downed in the storms and cutting them up by hand. Its hard to keep the pile stable when I add increments every few days.
The swan inventory continues to be successful. Last Tuesday there were 6 Trumpeters at Middle Marsh. Even though they're big birds they're surprisingly difficult to find in the fog.
My neighbour reported there was a swan back in the field mingling with a large flock of Canada Geese. I thought this was a little strange since they don't seem to prefer each others company. I checked it out, and sure enough there was a white bird. But it wasn't a swan.
It was clearly a goose. It looked a lot like an "Embden" goose, but I suspect it was a hybrid from a domestic goose that I had seen flying with them 3 - 4 years ago. I recall a large domestic goose associating with two Canada geese. It was heavy, with jowls, and I was astonished to see it could fly. I've seen occasional hybrids flying overhead since then. I guess the gene pool is continuing.
This has been Superbowl evening. I have to admit the highlights for me were the American commercials, and the pumpkin pie that Marit made for the occasion. (We watched the American stations on satellite TV). Since this has been a quiet week, and I'm pleasantly tired and sleepy, I'll sign off now.
But for those of you back east, or in Norway, its warm; as high as 13 degrees centigrade. (My garlic plants have sprouted and started growing this week). And strangely, we still haven't had any wind. Dead calm. But between the showers there's been time for a few projects.
Last Thursday I volunteered for a strange conservation project. For several years, river otters have made a den and raised a family under an old boat house in Union Bay. But the building is now too delapidated to even house otters. With the agreement of the owners, the building is being demolished and replaced by a low roofed shed housing the otter den area.
On Thursday, several of us under the enthusiastic leadership of Jenny Balke began removing the rafters and tearing down the walls. The demolition was easy; reconstruction may be a slower effort. We plan to shorten the left wall to about 120 cm. and build a shed roof slanting down to the right. The new structure will be a small fraction of the original shed, covering only the existing floor area of about 3x4 meters, (where the ladder is standing in the picture below). The otter's den is under those floor boards. And there's a plan to install a web cam so the world can watch these otters during the season. Exciting.
My personal project is less exciting. I'm finally getting around to erecting a permanent sturdy compost area. (Note to my wife: don't be alarmed; the posts will be shortened to a mere 4 feet high). Unfortunately this is proceeding rather slowly; partially because of the weather, and partially because I keep forgetting the sage advice my father passed on to me years ago: "Measure twice. Cut once!"
These minor projects pale in significance however to the main drama now unfolding on the island; development proposals. A developer. with the backing of financial partners, has acquired the massive acreage previously logged on the north part of Denman Island and now wishes to rezone the real estate.
Three proposals have been developed. A series of small neighbourhood meetings are being held to present these options to residents, and we are being requested by the developer to vote for which option we prefer, in an island-wide ballot. These options involve increasing residential density on the lands by 300% to 400% depending on the option. In return for this rezoning, the community is being offered title to a large section of land, 800 to 1200 acres, to use as we choose. Standard amenity tradeoffs.
The development and increased density are contrary to our Official Community Plan (which has recently been revised and refined as a result of thousands of hours of cooperative effort of islanders). However the prospect of the land tradeoff is attractive to many residents.
Two problems are immediately evident to me. First, if we do participate in the developers "vote", we have by default "bought in" to the proposal and it will be so presented to the Island Trust officials. Second, there is potentially an immense conflict between islanders with diverse opinions about the appropriate use of the donated land. One articulate group will demand co-op or community housing. Another will want every rotten log left undisturbed for salamander habitat. A sustainable community forest group will be resurrected. And a native land claim will probably be brought in. Many additional demands will surface; tennis courts are certainly one. All views are admirable, and incompatible. The gift would cause greater conflict and acrimony than the previous clear cut logging. Apparently it could also be an expensive gift requiring the payment of a portion of G.S.T. (General Sales Tax) on the assessed value of the property. This could amount to a six digit figure.
I've been torn in my considerations. Perhaps my opinion is clear, but I'll exercise discretion and pause before committing more controversy in print. I don't currently have the moderating influence of my wife to keep me out of trouble.
Marit has gone to Vancouver for a checkup with her knee surgeon. While there she's also visiting old friends and staying for a social function. I hope she's enjoying the luxuries like central heat and thermostats.
Meanwhile I'm getting back into top shape by taking lots of long hikes. I have to. She took the car.
Last Tuesday the weather gave a brief window of opportunity allowing us to complete the monthly waterfowl survey. (It should have been done on Sunday but conditions were unsuitable). February is an important month for this count; the birds are beginning to accumulate for the big herring spawn. There was a large varied population in our counting area this time; all spread out. Surprisingly there were no dense concentrations of individual species. We were kept very busy for a couple hours.
Two of the birds were particularly interesting; Eurasian Wigeons (Anas penelope). They were mingling amongst their native cousins; American wigeons. I imagine they were visiting from across the Pacific for the pending herring roe smorgasbord.
I realize we're still in the middle of winter (well, just past the middle) but we haven't even had frost for some weeks now, and the spring growth has started. These snowdrops have been in bloom for a while. The crocuses (below, left) have been sitting for days waiting for some sunshine. This afternoon they finally opened their petals. In the vegetable garden the rhubarb have shoved their first growth of leaves and buds above the seaweed covered beds. And the local robins that over-wintered here have been joined this week by a new group of bright-chested migrants.
Of course, spring doesn't start officially here until the herring spawn occurs. And despite other indications of the impending season, I haven't seen any signs of herring. Even the sea lions are absent from Baynes Sound. We haven't heard their barking for a long time or watched them swimming past the house.
Marit had the checkup on here knee completed in Vancouver. Apparently the one side of her knee is still adjusting to the "replaced" other side. If the pain hasn't greatly diminished in 6 to 8 weeks she should have it re-examined. (I suggested she book the appointment now). Possibly she may also have been just a little too aggressive in her exercise and use of it.
She came home Wednesday; earlier than intended. Symptoms of oncoming flu were being felt and she decided she would rather be sick in her own bed. The flu didn't materialize though. (I feel she was just driven to get back for Valentines Day).
Despite all the rain this week I've been able to finish this first phase of the compost bin in the garden. Its been a rather fun project; more like a scavenger hunt. I used leftover pieces from the original house construction, boards that have washed up on the beach, even pieces from an old door jamb that I replaced last year. The planks on the front of each bin can slide out for easy removal of the contents. Next week after I make a top to prevent rain from saturating the compost, I'll start filling the bins.
The generator has been taken away for repair. Unfortunately the wrong part had been ordered so it won't be fixed until at least late next week. I hope the storms will continue to hold off; they've been remarkably patient with me.
Only two swans on the marsh last Tuesday, although I was a bit late counting them; (we had to complete the waterfowl inventory first).
And my growing stack of firewood fell over and had to be re-piled again, (for the fourth time). I don't seem to be learning from experience.
But despite the snowline creeping down the mountainside, the forerunners of spring are surging through our landscape. The daffodils and tulips are up and should be blooming within a week, joining the crocuses and snowdrops. Vegetables that have over-wintered in the garden are beginning to sprout new growth.
I've had to dig all the remaining carrots and store them in the refrigerator. Most of the turnips are still in the ground; I planted far too many. Marit has been taking many of the remaining plants and sharing them with her friends in the weaving group. The same fate has fallen on my winter beet crop; most are being distributed to others. Oh, we've eaten lots throughout the winter, but I planted too much. (I'm not sure if it was optimism or pessimism). At least we're down to our last winter cabbage.
During a brief spell of good weather I started digging in garden; turning over the winter rye that had been planted after last year's potato harvest. I'm hoping the rye will have time to decompose before the first spring crop is planted. Unfortunately I was called away before finishing; the otter house project needed me. That afternoon, Jenny (the project leader) and I finished cleaning up the demolition phase and trucked the non-salvageable scraps off to the land-fill. When she returns in a week, we'll begin construction of the new structure.
We still haven't seen much indication of the pending herring spawn. Yesterday the first herring boat came searching for sign of herring schools in Baynes Sound. I don't know what he found on his sonar screen but no activity has been seen on the surface.
The gulls have begun to gather in anticipation of the feast. But this morning they were out foraging in the nearby farm field. The menu on the water was rather slim. Most of the birds were Glaucous-winged gulls, the most common species in this area. But there were also a few Mew gulls; the first three foreground gull in the picture (left) are Mews. Incidentally, this picture captures only a portion of the total flock spread throughout the meadow.
For those of you who know my neighbour Nick (right), we still walk together several times a week. Its an interesting walk because we tend to have different opinions, interests, and attitudes. On our travels back and forth on Piercy Road I've been learning a lot (particularly tolerance, one of my weaker attributes). Like his wife, Karen, he loves all animals. If he won the lottery he'd build a huge shelter next to his house for every stray cat in the country that needs food and attention. Fortunately he doesn't buy lottery tickets.
But like me, he's concerned about the appearance of a pair of raccoons in out area. He's concerned for the safety of his cats, I'm concerned about the safety of my garden. Both of us agree the intruders should be trapped; we just differ in what follows after that. I guess it depends on which of us catch them first.
Incidentally, the generator still isn't back. Late this week another wrong part was delivered. Marit and I are hoping the March winds are not too powerful this year.
On the next day, the final day of the month, snow returned. Nothing significant; only a couple centimeters at most. Just a reminder to keep us alert.
For three days, each morning started with snow. But each day the snow melted away by the afternoon. Finally this weekend the weather patterns have restored the flow directly from the Hawaiian Islands. Damp and grey, but warmer.
The herring fishery appears to be looming. On Friday a Canadian Fisheries boat sailed slowly past while exploring the waters. (lower left). Today there's been a day-long stream of fishing boats from the Comox harbour sailing south in Baynes Sound. And for the past two days I've seen the first of the sea lions swimming in the same direction. (No, those black objects in the foreground of the picture are not sea lions; they're birds flying just over the water. Probably cormorants.)
I suspect we won't have a front seat view of the fishing operation this year. I haven't seen much sign of herring activity in the waters out front. One year I counted 80 large boats within sight of our house, netting with purse seines, and harvesting into packers. There was so much activity that the ferry had trouble maneuvering through the fleet to cross the sound.
This weekend brought another reminder that, despite the current weather, gardening season is almost upon us. "Seedy Saturday" was held in Courtenay. Originally, organic gardeners who saved their own seeds met to swap seeds and offer for sale to the public any excess seed packages. Its now become a gardening event with vendor booths, retail sales, and free seminars. The concept appeals to me; no genetically modified (GMO) seeds, no patented hybrids, no chemical industry involvement.
I picked up a few packages of local seeds and would have bought more if I hadn't previously ordered most of my supplies from Canadian seed catalogues. (I'm still waiting for their delivery). But I did find a package of asparagus roots that I bought to start a second bed of these delicious spring vegetables. This fall, if I'm not overwhelmed by the harvest and the bed preparations, I'm going to try saving some of my own seeds. And next year, I must remember to emphasize "open-pollinated" varieties where feasible instead of hybrids.
Marit knee is slowly (very slowly) improving in strength, although the pain is still intense when flexing the knee backwards. She managed well with her walking partners on this week's hike. But yesterday she damaged herself again; this time her hand, not the knee. In a frenzy of cleaning she managed to scrape her hand across a sharp nail and split the skin on one finger. I think it looks wicked and needs stitching. But getting it stitched on a weekend is inconvenient, so she's holding it together with bandages and hoping it'll heal together. Stubborn.
This week we discovered we'll be having a new neighbour. The house two properties north of us has been sold and the purchasers will take possession the middle of the month. Welcome to the new owners. And for those of you who missed this opportunity to become my neighbour, tough luck.
I'm referring of course to the herring fishery, not the waves. The first indication of herring in the area was last Wednesday when this boat abruptly halted its southward cruise and circled the area. Apparently it had detected herring schools on its sonar. Eventually it continued its journey, but two subsequent fishing boats reacted with the same maneuvers.
Finally Fisheries Canada arrived to monitor the area. (Their red and white ships are quite distinctive). Apparently they found 300 to 400 tons scattered in small schools throughout the area and instructed the fleet of seine fishermen to "not pound on the fish that appears to be coming into Baynes Sound area". However the herring must have been just passing through. None were found later in the week.
The gill-net fleet has been fishing for several days on the east side of Denman but to the best of my knowledge there has been no opening yet for the purse-seine fishing fleet. Interestingly, we've just started hearing the loud barking of a lot of sea lions. And a large population of gulls has been flying past in recent days; most of them in a southerly direction. Maybe something is developing.
Perhaps the herring don't like the weather any better that I do. We must have had a few decent hours early in the week, but I can only remember the wind, rain, and low grey clouds. There is very little opportunity to prepare the garden for planting. Potato beds were earlier prepared with composted seaweed dug into the beds. But nothing has been planted.
Many of the spring bulbs are being very lethargic in their development. However these "Tete-a-tete" daffodils are putting on a display in Marit's garden. And of course the heather are always at their finest this time of year, regardless of the weather.
Who's idea was it to implement daylight saving time three weeks early this year? My opinion was never solicited. It sure was dark and early this morning catching the first ferry (6:45 AM) off the island. And doing it again tomorrow for an early dental appointment isn't going to feel any easier. Personally, I hate losing that hour of sleep in the morning. And I resent the attempt to get an extra hour of effort out of me in the evening. Keep the time constant, all year long!
While I'm in the mood for a good rant; what about Canada's taxation department! Now, when everyone files for their refunds, the computer system fails. Down. Broken! Apparently they have "infrastructure problems",,, following "routine weekend maintenance",,, leading to "data irregularities". No on-line claim filing all week. No processing of manually submitted claims. What happened to the Backup and Recovery procedures that MUST have been developed for such a major system?
Whoa; breathe deep, avoid hyper-ventilation; I'm okay now. I've just had flashbacks of those first heart-sinking "uh-oh" moments of personal involvement in a computer catastrophe.
Let's end with a serene glimpse of my Tuesday morning assignment; the winter swan inventory at Middle Marsh. Only a few weeks left of this year survey; by April the Trumpeter swans should have left for their northern nesting grounds.
Despite the current weather, this coming week the hummingbird feeder better be primed and ready. Its that time.
And because of the current weather, the waterfowl count was postponed today. Can't see the birds when the waves are too high, and the rain blurs the lens of the spotting scope. We'll have to try on the first decent day; the count during the March herring season is always a special event.
The herring fishery in this area (the Straight of Georgia) has ended. The department of fisheries closed the session on Wednesday after a brief opening from 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM for the seiner boats. According to Fisheries Canada, "All sets... indicated spawned out or juvenile fish, and it appears that the seine fishing opportunities ..(in this area).. have been exhausted". The gill-netter fleet had earlier fishing opportunities and caught better quality fish. Between the two fleets 10,083 tons of herring were harvested.
But now when that travesty has been completed, spring is officially here. Never mind the calendar, or the forsythia blossoms; spring begins here when the herring spawn.
These daffodils agree. The earliest of our full sized varieties, nestled snuggly between the sage, sorrel, and rosemary in Marit's herb garden seem to be blooming happily despite the grey skies. (Flowers blooming without sunshine remind me of a rooster crowing at 3:00 AM).
Even the root cellar is joining the seasonal display. I'm hoping those tulips on the top won't sulk after their shabby treatment last summer when I removed the soil and put a waterproof membrane on the roof. Incidentally, that re-roofing operation seems to have been successful. The root cellar has been completely dry all winter despite all the rain storms. (Too bad its empty already; we're just finishing off the last of our potatoes now.) So; pool-liner works great in reverse too.
The main garden is like a large blank canvas waiting for an artist. This morning I optimistically put in row of early potatoes; Norland variety. And I planted onion seed in one of the 4x8 raised beds.
This year I'm trying for onions the hard way; from seed, not the simpler bulb set from the nursery. Onions grown from sets don't store well, and Marit has been forced to throw out much of our crop too early in the winter. We'll see how this effort turns out.
Oh yes, the birds. Last week the weather conditions were so poor that we weren't able to conduct the monthly waterfowl count until Wednesday. It was really interesting (for a birder). The seagull population had exploded. Normally we find a few dozen gulls; mostly Glaucous-winged gulls, and a few Mew gulls. This time we found thousands! Only about a quarter of them were Glaucous-winged. Many were Mew gulls. But over half of the throng consisted of California gulls, a species we only spot occasionally in this area. We also found a few Thayer and Herring gulls in the mix. They all flooded in for the big herring spawn party. Sort of like teenagers on spring break. They'll all be gone next month.
The hummingbird feeder is ready for customers. Last year, the first hummingbird arrived March 17. Now we'll see how slow things are this spring.
<We received only a fraction of the torrential rain that has pelted Vancouver all week but it was still a dismal start to the season. Yet, despite the wind and rain that plagued us, spring slowly progressed. The first hummingbird showed up at the feeder on Wednesday morning, March 21st. I told him he was 4 days late. (It was a male Rufous hummingbird of course).
Today when the sun appeared, many of the spring blossoms finally unfolded. These forsythia blooms signal the start of serious gardening activity; time to prune the rose bushes. Both Marit and I have been busy with our secateurs (clippers) and all our roses have now been trimmed.
Despite the weather I was busy preparing the vegetable garden earlier this week. That's not fencing I erected around the garden (picture, right); its netting for the peas. I've planted tall varieties of both types of peas; "Tall Telephone" for the shelling peas, and "Super Sugar Snap" for the edible-podded snap peas. I'll need the sturdy support. Both have been planted and covered with "reemay" (a thin spun cotton gauze) for protection. (I'm glad I didn't have an audience as I struggled alone with the netting, and the reemay, while being buffeted by 60 km winds).
Onions have been planted in one 4x8' raised bed. I used reemay to cover that bed too. It keeps the soil several degrees warmer, and helps maintain the moisture for germination, (not that moisture is a problem currently). In another bed (the "salad" bed) I've planted the first of the lettuce, and several rows of spinach. Between the rows I planted radish seed. And for good measure, I also put in a half dozen bulbs for green onions. Finally, the rest of the potatoes were all planted. I'm using "Bintje" as the main crop, and "Norland" for the early variety. Hey, we've been busy homesteaders.
Saturday afternoon I participated in a field trip sponsored by the Denman Conservancy Association; a "Fillongley Bird Walk". After an introductory talk at the old school by Mike Morrell, we went along the beach at Fillongley Park where Mike and I conduct the monthly inventory of water birds. Everyone was able to view the variety of ducks and gulls by sharing the spotting scopes.
The distribution of birds this month has been skewed by the recent herring spawn activities. The spawn locally was very small. Still there was considerable herring roe washed up on the beach, thickly coating some floating seaweed. Part of the group (left) is examining the spawn. (Some even tasted it). Naturally, gulls were abundant. Very abundant; in the thousands. All participants had lots of opportunity to identify the most common ones; Mew gull, Glaucous-winged, and California.
Many of the other ducks, loons, and cormorants were also present further out in the water. But some of the more spectacular species were completely absent. There were no Harlequin ducks which have been abundant all winter. And no Long-tailed ducks (formerly called Old Squaw).
Our regular ferry, the Quinitsa, will be returning to service, but not until the third week of April. Last Tuesday evening I was one of the very few islanders who attended a local meeting with the ferry corporation. Their staff (who outnumbered we attendees) gave an excellent presentation of the maintenance and condition of our regular ship. After taking the ferry to dry dock last fall, they found the interior of the hull had significantly more corrosion than expected and required replacement of three times more steel plating than anticipated. The task has taken longer, (and cost more), than planned. Other planned improvements have had to be postponed until next fall.
So the bottom line: we'll get the bigger ferry (twice the capacity) back soon, and lose it again in September when they'll install new engines and drive train mechanism, and improve the passenger facilities. If all goes well, we'll get it back, all upgraded and better than new, just in time for Christmas. Incidentally; great presentation guys. I understood, and appreciated. Too bad more islanders weren't there.
As I returned home from that meeting, the skies appeared almost magical. The clouds had cleared, the stars were clear and sharp, and Venus was shining brilliantly beside the new crescent moon. Breathtaking! Thank god we don't have street lights polluting the night skies on rural Denman Island.
<Finally a week of sunny weather. Oh, it was mixed with clouds to start, but the winds changed to northerly and brought cool arctic air and clear skies. The light frost each morning disappeared quickly when the sun rose, and spring staggered forward.
One spring event to which we are treated every year is the magnificent display of blooming trees across the street. Both flowering plums and cherries are now in full show; their crabapples will follow shortly.
And as further proof that spring had finally arrived, I was forced to cut my lawn. None of my seeds have yet sprouted in the garden but I'm optimistically preparing more beds, both new and old, for the planting blitz next month. Marit has been working long hours cleaning the flower beds, thinning the rampant spreaders, and fertilizing (organically) the emerging perennials,
And now the April fool; I just looked out the window moments ago and wet snow was falling in the failing daylight. Clouds snuck in late this afternoon and have given some sporadic showers. Its true; no joke. The weather gods are having some fun with us.
On Monday I noticed wave after wave of flocks flying north; their formation was irregular and they flew very close to the surface of the water. They were Scoters. I grabbed the camera instead of the binoculars so I don't know which of the three species of scoters were present. And I don't know if they were migrating north or just returning from the herring spawn activities. But it was fascinating to watch one of nature's cycles.
Speaking of nature, The Denman Nature Conservancy held their annual general meeting Monday night, summarized the year's accomplishments, and outlined the current activities. Its been a fruitful year and there are some interesting challenges as a result. If anyone hasn't already reviewed their new web site, I urge you to use the link in the table at the bottom of this page and visit it regularly. I have more updates to add to that site shortly.
One of nature's beauties that regularly appears at this time is the Fawn lily "Erithronium oregonum". We're fortunate to have an abundant population locally for several hundred meters on either side of our property. But for some reason we don't have any growing within our property lines. (Yes, I feel deprived). This picture (right) was taken yesterday on my neighbour's beach front.
After photographing the lilies I turned and took this picture along the beach in the direction of Mount Washington in the distance. (Notice that the leaves have not yet started appearing on most deciduous trees in the area).
By coincidence Marit took the same picture (below) from our deck later yesterday evening when I attended a play at the community hall. (The Canucks' hockey game was televised last night and she wasn't about to leave that).
The play was created by local Denman residents; written and produced by the actors. It was interesting, and certainly thought provoking. The play depicted a society on an "Lambert Island" (which seemed remarkably similar to Denman) recovering from a catastrophic natural collapse of civilization; the natural reactions of the residents and the discovery of the values that were important in their local society. Although it was not "spelled out", it was clearly an allegory of the current situation on Denman.
Developers who wish to rezone a large portion of northern Denman Island have held an unofficial plebiscite offering community land in return for higher density rezoning. Apparently 170 voters (the majority of those who chose to participate in the unofficial poll) opted for the highest density change in return for the maximum land donation to the community. Each has their own reason; dreaming of tennis courts, community housing, community forestry projects, or parks. I'm concerned about the conflict that will occur when these proposals are officially submitted to our Island Trust governing body, and public hearings are formally held.
I hope the play initiated some serious soul searching.
The arctic air was replaced this week by a stream from the tropics. But the warmer temperatures also brought clouds and showers. We didn't get the sunshine and record temperatures that were reported in Vancouver. And my seedlings in the garden are very reluctant to rise up and greet the world.Their motto seems to be "No sun, no fun".
But some spring events are slowly progressing, like the annual pollen dump. The yellow pollen on my roof (yes, its not rust) is quickly accumulating and forming a disgusting yellowish sludge along the bottom of the eaves trough. I know the Douglas Fir trees are currently spreading pollen profusely; probably many other species are also contributing to the haze. It may be "organic" and natural, but my sinus still doesn't appreciate the aggravation.
I hope these Clematis Armandii at the west side of the house are non-allergenic. The perfume emanating from these blossoms is delightful but potent. Come to think of it, the entire plant is rather over-powering. We've had to regularly counter-attack with sharp pruners to prevent it from smothering the house.
On Friday I was called to help continue construction of the "otter house". This project (dormant since early February) involved demolition of a decrepit boat house in Union Bay, and reconstruction of a smaller shed over the den area used by the otters. We failed to notice that the original walls of boathouse structure were not exactly square. This oversight became obvious when plywood sheathing was nailed to the rafters. Parallelogram? Quadrangle? At least the otters won't care that its not a rectangle. We're making progress but we'll need at least a couple more sessions to complete the project.
Incidentally, here's a sight not frequently seen; two doctors hammering on a shed roof. Joan Scruton (background) is a medical doctor (human); Jenny Balke (foreground) is a veterinarian.
I thought it appropriate to show this photograph I took this morning from the end of our road; sheep with their young lambs. Its symbolic not only for spring and for easter, it also reflects the intentions of our Official Community Plan (OCP); "To retain the rural atmosphere of the community". Lets hope it continues.
(As an aside; I understand genetics just enough to be confused about the parentage among these creatures).
One final gardening project I should mention: bug warfare. I drove to The Bug Factory in Nanoose this week and bought a package of parasitic nematodes. Yesterday afternoon I applied a solution containing 5 million of these little assassins onto my garden. With today's rain they should be busy attacking the cutworms, weevils, grubs, and especially the notorious wireworms that plague my potato crop. Merciless? Yes, and with a clear conscience.
This little tree frog hopped aside as the lawn mower passed by. I panicked, thinking I had sliced the little creature but it was uninjured. Why was it in my lawn instead of participating in the orgy at the nearby pond? Come to thing of it, the evenings have been quieter lately; no croaking. I guess the sex season is over. For frogs.
But its starting big time for the birds. During our regular monthly waterfowl survey on Tuesday (postponed for two days due to poor weather conditions) there was courtship and even mating among the birds preparing for their northern migration.
The water in this scene at Filongley Park may look empty but we had just finished a very productive count of the area. Hundreds of Brant were gathered off-shore and could only be spotted with binoculars. Six species of Gulls were seen including the first Bonaparte's Gulls to arrive this year. Lots of flocks of sea ducks passed by; primarily Surf Scoters. And further off-shore were several Marbled Murrelets and a Pigeon Guillemot.
Concentrations of gulls (no, they're not shown in the picture) seemed to be foraging on herring roe that is mixed with the seaweed laying on the shore. I knew they were scavengers, but really; that roe has been laying there for weeks. It must be highly rancid by now.
The warm weather has not yet arrived. Frost was on the ground again this morning; obviously too early for serious gardening. But the rhubarb plantation is looking healthy. My onion seeds have sprouted and are putting up thin green blades. (At least I think they're onion sprouts.) Lettuce and radish have sprouted, and so have the things I sowed at the other end of their bed. I wish I could remember what they were.
I felt a real exhilaration this morning when I discovered the first potato leaf breaking through the soil. But I was sobered when scanning the garden peas. The germination appears to be very sporadic; only about 15% have sprouted. Fortunately I bought a large package and have a good reserve of seeds to shove in the empty spaces. Why does everyone say that peas should be planted so early?
At least everything survived the storm on Thursday and Friday. The wind wasn't as bad as the earlier winter storms but we did briefly lose power twice. Very briefly, 5 seconds max. The rain, well, there seemed to be an awful lot of it. I was quite drenched in a long walk Friday night.
Marit was in the Vancouver area all week and just returned noon Saturday. (I really missed that car). One of the reasons for the trip was further consultation on her earlier knee replacement surgery. Apparently the pain back of her knee is not caused by fluid, but by scar tissue. Arthroscopic surgery can't be done in that area. Her only consolation is the possibility of it eventually softening and stretching. Not the best of news.
One last scene of spring: the Oregon Grape is just beginning to flower. We treasure these plants on our slope. They have huge extensive tap roots and help anchor the soil. Oregon grape are native to this area and grow profusely here. In pots they sell for big bucks in the nurseries. If I total the retail price of all these plants growing wild on the property, we're wealthy.
Spring is certainly progressing; the daffodils are just beginning to pass their prime state. Before long, these spring blooms will be replaced by their fading mass of foliage. This front border will take on a wilder unkempt appearance during the transition while the bulbs are nourished and replenished.
The weather has contributed to the sense of dynamic turmoil. The unsettled conditions have brought waves of cumulus clouds over the Beaufort Mountains with periodic showers. Because of my glasses, these looming clouds appear particularly threatening. I have progressive lenses that darken from outdoor UV light, and the blackness in the towering clouds is exaggerated. My view of the world is filtered.
Incidentally, the cloud image to the right is a test of the clarity of your monitor. There are helicopters flying just above the mountains. Can you detect all three in the enlarged image?
Change of another nature occurred Friday evening. My sister just became a grandmother when my niece gave birth to a 7 pound 13 ounce baby girl. Is she my grand-niece, or am I grand-uncle now? In any event, we now share the same birthday. I'll have to check the time and see if she's an Aries, or a Taurus (like me). Congratulations Gillian!
Two days previously, Marit and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. Or rather, we "observed" it. After 43 years it doesn't seem such a unique occasions. I did remember the date though.
Yesterday morning the Denman Conservancy sponsored a nature hike, billed as "Mayhem in Boyle Point Provincial Park". Led by Hamish Kimmins, a Professor of Forestry, we explored the massive storm damage that occurred in the area during the earlier winter storms. Hamish is extremely knowledgable and clearly explained the phenomena we encountered. It wasn't just a case of "big tree, strong wind". In one case, shallow soil over solid rock prevented any taproot development for strength and stability. In other instances, root rot had weakened trees making them susceptible to falling, and the resulting gap exposed more trees unaccustomed to wind stress.
He also explained how this was a natural event in the evolution of the forest, how this would increase the ecological diversity of the area, and what future transitions of the environment would occur depending on the choices and actions that are now taken.
Hamish was a fascinating guide and teacher. I've learned a tremendous amount and have gained a new respect for the professional foresters in this province. I've also been very humbled in the realization that many of my previous assumptions have been incorrect through ignorance, (not that I'll publicly admit it).
Unfortunately, about the midway point of the expedition another emergency occurred. A volunteer fire fighter was paged to participate in an emergency search. Since we had car-pooled to the trail site, I left the hike and drove him back. Apparently a psychiatric patient had gone missing the previous evening and was lost/hiding somewhere on Denman Island. Our fire department was assisted by off-island search and rescue personnel. A helicopter and other aircraft also joined the search. We "civilians" were alerted but not asked to participate. The individual was fortunately found later that day and we were advised he was "no longer on Denman Island".
Last Thursday even a simple trip to the dentist became complicated. A fully loaded cement truck somehow lost control and capsized at an intersection blocking the main access to Comox shortly before I arrived. Eventually I was able to u-turn and escape the traffic snarl. Fortunately I was familiar with the back roads and took the round-about access to the city. However the obstacle and the traffic were still there an hour later when I returned. Fully loaded cement trucks are hard to recover.
This weekend, the occasions is more pleasant. On Friday, Lise and Gary came out to join us for a few days on their vacation; complete with birthday presents. (Now I look forward to winter weather again so I have an opportunity to wear that colourful cold-weather vest). On Monday they continue their vacation down to Victoria and surrounding area.
Finally, I leave you with a view of our night sky. Clouds obscured the conjunction of Venus and the new moon a day earlier, but this was a close second on Thursday. Despite the limitations of my camera, I managed to get this reasonable shot after sunset. The night sky can be sharply in focus here; there's no competition from street lights or neon signs.
But anyone walking at night had better have a good idea of where they are, or have fresh batteries in their flashlight.
Since the roof and walls of our storage cellar were covered with soil I felt they should be planted. Spring bulbs were an ideal choice since the roof usually becomes very arid during the bulb's dormant season. Dry soil provides a great storage medium. And now in the cool wet days of spring, the root cellar provides some magnificent colour.
This week the rain has been minimal but still cool. On the few nights when the cloud cover disappeared, there was very light frost. Its still too cool for serious gardening. The local farmer, Wes Piercy, who has had a long lifetime of experience, told me not to start planting until the weeds have started growing. Before then, its too cold. So far the weeds haven't started their surge.
I thought it was rather early for this moth to appear. All day Friday it pressed against our house just outside the kitchen door. Probably it's a night feeder and was just resting during the daylight. But my imagination saw it shivering and complaining in the cold breeze and praying for sunshine. I haven't yet identified it; any- suggestions would be welcome.
Fortunately sunshine has predominated the last couple of days. And the "garden party brunch" at our neighbours, Winfried Boedeker and Carla Carlsen, was very successful. The large gathering of friends from across Denman Island would have been very crowded if forced indoors by rain. In the outdoor sunshine we marvelled over the magnificent spring blooms in their manicured gardens. How did they manage all that work when they were away all winter in the southern climates?
I often explore the seaside below our house, watching any animal life and searching for any oddities that may have been brought in by the tide. Last week I made a special find; a message waiting to be found.
No, not a note in a bottle; but a part of an ocean tidal research. Apparently a number of floating messages have been released into the ocean to investigate the tidal currents in the area. The primary purpose is to understand how invasive marine plants spread in the salt water of BC and Washington. I don't know where this wooden card (approximately 10 cm x 15 cm) originated but the project appears to be sponsored by Puget Sound in Washington. The message asks for the location, date, and card identification to be reported to their web site. I did, and we're on the map.
Hey, its more exciting that just gathering seaweed.
Another of the Conservany's nature walks was held Saturday morning. This outing was at Winter Wren Park, on the shore of Chickadee Lake. Nothing to do with birds; this time the topic was "pond life". Peter Karsten, (previously director of the Calgary Zoo) netted several samples of pond life the lake and gave us an introduction to the ecology of an area most of us haven't seen since early childhood.
These waters contain tadpoles of the two species of frogs which inhabit the island. Insect nymphs and mosquito larvae abound in the shallows. But there's also some fierce predators like the diving beetles with their deadly pincers that impale and hold the prey. The dragonfly larvae are quite the effective predator too. One critter he didn't capture and show was the leeches that all lake swimmers are aware of.
Most of us who attended did not anticipate how cold it could be in the shade of the trees. We saw the sunshine and left the heavy winter sweaters at home. We shivered and froze. But it was an informative morning.
This was also a great cultural weekend. Robert Silverman returned and gave two concerts Friday and Saturday evening, completing the four concert series he began last fall. In these concerts he played all piano sonatas written by Mozart. The music and the playing was terrific, but the narratives and explanations he provided between sets added so much more to the understanding and appreciation of the composer and his music. We were very fortunate to have a performer of his caliber dedicate so much time to our island. Many thanks Robert.
And if you haven't already.............
At an earlier fund raiser for the Denman Conservancy's land purchase, the garden club auctioned the services of its members for garden work. I don't know how high Veronica Timmons' bid to win, but on Saturday morning we were conscripted. Veronica has a large charming garden and has twice been a feature on the annual Home and Garden Tour. However the weeds have become very aggressive and our services were enlisted to clear the pathways and adjacent garden beds.
No, we didn't spend most of the time drinking coffee. We worked as diligently as if we were tending our own gardens. Actually it was a pleasant social affair and we didn't mind participating. But I really regretted missing the nature walk to Tree Island which occurred at the same time. The spring flowers are in full bloom there and the botanists leading the trip were very experienced in the area. Marit and here walking group had hiked there on Wednesday and reported more flowers than she'd ever seen; especially the blue Larkspur.
There's too much happening. The community hall work bee was held the same day, as was another organic garden work project. Next year I'll remember to select my projects carefully before committing.
After returning home Saturday afternoon, we saw activity on the beach. Last year's oyster cages had been hauled higher on the shore and were being emptied. On investigation I found the owner was taking the bags of oysters and distributing them on the beach. They had grown rapidly when they were able to feed continuously in a submerged prrotected environment. Now they will be hardened on the tidal zone and prepared for market next year. New spat (baby oysters) will be put back into the cages.
These oyster farmers are very wise; they wish to stay on good terms with the "neighbours" and sent me off with a sack full of oysters for my dinner. I'm quite willing to encourage them in their generosity.
Earlier this week a work trip over to the "Otter House" wasn't quite so pleasant. We had previously salvaged a fair supply of lumber by removing all nails and stacking usable boards in a pile. The remainder of the garbage we trucked away to the community dump. When we returned this week, a relative of the absent land owner had just finished "helping out" by burning the "unsightly pile of old boards" beside the project. Despite strong impulses, Jenny let him live.
Somehow we'll scavenge more lumber to complete the project. We did spend money and buy new asphalt shingles for the roof. Even though the old used metal roofing hadn't been burned we decided the rust and nail holes were just too much to repair. We'll have another go at it next week.
Spring has not yet brought warm weather and today was one of the colder days. When Marit got up this morning her first words were not a cheery "good morning"; instead she expressed her disgust at this continuing weather. And I don't disagree. At least the spring flowers are grateful for any days above freezing. The early tulip and daffodil are fading and dropping their petals, but the smaller species tulips are now in full glory. And at the side of the house, a special rhododendron is blooming. It was a house warming gift from my mother just after we finished building.
I don't think the poor turnout this morning can be blamed on the weather. Only five of us gathered for the official spring bird count. We trekked up the north end of Denman, through the woodland trail and out on the exposed spit toward Tree Island. The rain was light and sporadic but the wind was cold and unrelenting. We weren't exactly in danger of frostbite, but we all felt we were freezing. There was minor attrition as the morning continued and only three of us returned for the hot coffee, tea, and cookies at noon. We encountered 52 species, and counted over 1000 birds. Surprisingly, half of those birds were White-winged scoters. But some of the most common species were totally absent. We couldn't find any wrens, and not one junco. The warblers and flycatchers were not very prevalent either. They probably don't like the weather any better that we do.
Let's hope that the forecast is accurate this week; sunshine and warmer temperatures by mid-week.
And a final PS: Thank you Mary, your order was received and three tickets were purchased in your name last Wednesday. I put your address on the stubs, but used my phone number for notification. Its wonderful that someone 3000 miles away would participate in our "Island Palette" fund raiser. For the rest of you .........
After a week of sunshine it appears that winter has grudgingly surrendered. I say "grudgingly" because earlier this week we still had frost. One friend put out three cucumber plants in his garden last Monday. Tuesday morning they were dead; frozen by a killer frost. Hmmm, global warming but longer winters.
In the northern hemisphere, one indicator of spring everywhere is the blossoming of wild broom. On Friday, May 11th, I saw the first yellow blossoms starting to open on the roadside plants. They're still not fully in bloom. How does that compare to your area? Have those wild weeds been blossoming for some time now?
Today I've take a bold step; I set out my tomato plants. I'm gambling that the nights will be warmer from today onward. I'm also trying a new product from Lee Valley; red plastic mulch. Its not only supposed to make the soil warmer, its supposed to reflect the wavelengths of light that helps tomatoes ripen and mature. (Prevents weeds too). I'll either be bragging about my bumper crop later this summer or whining and snivelling next week about late frosts and crop failure.
Once again, this weekend has been very busy. The nature walk on Saturday morning started early; 7:00 AM at Morrison Marsh. We were being introduced to bird calls of the native species, and early morning is the best time to hear their songs. Even I could hear the Warbling Vireo's call. The Pacific-slope Flycatcher?; well I did hear one that was very close. But too many of the indicated songs were completely inaudible to me. What I really need is the great system that our guide, Patrick brought along; a pocket amplifier/recorder with a directional microphone and a head set. Using that, I could hear all those high-pitched peepers. And could have recorded them too. Hmmm. Maybe ... But I had to leave this outing early to join the Garden Club.
At 10:00 Saturday morning the garden club toured the gardens of four of the members. First on the tour was the garden of Jimmy Tate. (She requested we visit her first to "get it over with" because she wanted to hear the "Raging Grannies" singing protest songs at the recycling centre later that morning.)
The gardens were all very different. Two of them were primarily shade gardens. Ours is almost complete sun. We found ideas and inspiration at each one. Four was the maximum we could absorb in one tour; any more would have been "sensory overload".
Fortunately out dogwood was in full bloom because our property was number three on the tour; just around noon. Marit had great foresight and had baked a variety of muffins which she served with coffee and juice. Just the perfect tonic for a group that was beginning to fatigue and falter. Some of the club members displayed the same reaction as many of our guests, questioning the necessity of getting up and leaving the comfort of our deck.
The last garden was at the far south end of the island where our hostess had completely forgotten the occasion and was away in Vancouver. Her husband graciously allowed us to tour around anyway. Another fascinating contrast to all we had seen. Someday I hope to have a guided tour describing the species in those garden beds.
The day ended at the Denman Arts Centre; an evening party for the volunteers of the Arts Denman functions. My only contribution is an occasional shift as host at the art gallery exhibitions, but it earned me an invitation. This was a very "Denman" affair; dressed up, without a tie in sight; and where I recognized and knew everyone. Everyone received a ticket for a door prize draw, and the first winner.. Me! My prize was this original watercolour painting and a gift certificate from Abraxas Books.
Next weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, there's another tour on Denman; the annual Denman Pottery Tour. Take a look at www.denmanpottery2007.blogspot.com for a description and preview. Then come and join the tour.
Finally, for those of you who may be wondering about the otter house project; we shingled the roof last Tuesday. As I carried the first bundles of shingles to the roof, I noticed muddy footprints all over the tarpaper; otter "pawprints". The otters have been curiously inspecting all the work shortly after we leave. They now have three levels in which to play; the roof, the inside, and under the floor boards. Two more sessions should probably finish the project; facing and fascia, door framing, and furniture. (I question the furniture but Jenny is adamant that slides and toys are necessary.) And yes, we found an alternate source of used lumber for the completion. We'll just be careful where we keep it stored.
Earlier this week we were teased with warmer sunshine. It was T-shirt weather and I unpacked my collection from last summer. The garden beckoned and we began to get serious. First, a few broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Then carrots, kohlrabi, and parsnips. I was so "carried away" that I even planted half a bed of bush beans and seeded a bed of corn.
Foolish me! The corn and beans are really going to sulk in these cool night temperatures. I've covered the ground with remay spun cotton cloth to help the temperature a little, but that seems to increase the bug population too, especially woodbugs. At least the tomatoes are still alive. And the weeds are growing; sprouting and thriving everywhere. Incidentally I'm making an "attitude adjustment" regarding weeds; I now see them as job security.
On Wednesday I was summoned for another day of work at the otter house. It was a productive session even though a few necessary tools had been left back on Denman. We finished the fascia on the roof, framed the entrance and installed the door, and generally completed most of the construction. Jenny will be going back with the proper drill fittings to attach some flashing on the roof edge using rubber-grommet screws. And with the rest of our "newly-recycled" wood, she wants to build more furniture for the otter pups to play on. It sounds strange, but since she understands otter behaviour better than most people I'm sure there's a reason for her actions; she's not just reverting to a childhood game of dolls.
The picture (right) was taken from the bottom of the slope near the beach. Our carpentry may have been a little crude, but it was appropriate for the remnants of the boathouse that still forms the base of this structure. At the side is Jenny Balke, the driving force behind the project.
On Saturday morning there was another of the nature walks sponsored by the Denman Conservancy Association. This one was a botany trip exploring the plants in Fillongley Park. About 17 individuals (counting kids and dogs) set out through the trails and pathways of the park as individual plants were identified and unique ecological features were pointed out.
The area had once been a magnificent estate of an English gentleman and his family, complete with a large manicured lawn for the lawn bowling association. It was interesting to note that the lawn still exists as a large meadow, and that some of the original inhabitants of the garden, such as primroses, daisies, and bluebells have escaped and thrived for over half a century now among the other wild companions in the nearby areas.
As we stepped out onto the beach to walk back along the shore we were astonished to feel the strong south-east wind that was blowing. Just a few feet inland the wind couldn't be felt at all. Fortunately we have become accustomed to cold conditions on these walks and most of us had warm clothes ready for the occasion.
This has been another very busy week. And after a quick lunch on Saturday I was off to another seminar. Annie Siegel was conducting a gardening workshop called "Extending the Harvest". Since Marit and I have become very interested in "year-round" harvest from our garden, this was one session I didn't want to miss. There are many excellent gardeners on Denman, and Annie is among the best. She once professionally managed a herb garden.
The early afternoon was spent in her garden as she demonstrated her techniques, including her watering systems. And as she described her challenges with woodbugs I realized that here was someone who really understood my problems. Later in the afternoon the weather didn't cooperate and we crowded into her small house as she finished by discussing planting cycles.
Incidentally, Annie is used to the weather "not cooperating". Her house (that we were in) had been one of the worst damaged by last winter's wind storms. It had been hit by several trees. She has been my neighbour for many months as her home was being repaired. Much of her garden structure, includung her greenhouse, is still damaged or destroyed.
This was a two session workshop: the next session on winter gardening will be held in two weeks. I'll be there. Incidentally, her woodbug solution? There are several techniques that help but the ultimate is Chickens!
I'm feeling a bit sorry for my wife these days. Marit is not only trying to get all the flower beds in shape and battling the resurgence of weeds, she's also single-handedly managing the harvest of our exploding rhubarb plantation. I love rhubarb sauce on my cereal; and her rhubarb pies have been delicious. In addition to all this she's creating a prepared food supply to keep me nourished while she's away visiting family in Norway later this summer. Besides all that of course, the trivial household tasks like cooking, cleaning, washing, and baking all get done. She's a viking of course.
She was one who spotted this eagle land just back of the house and called me to take a picture. Its always impressive to see this bird at close range. (Its also actually scary to see its details closely through binoculars.)
One last request; think SUNSHINE everybody, ripe tomatoes and tall corn.
At 11:30 this morning I glanced over at the waters of Baynes Sound and was startled to see ribbons of red coloured substances streaming along near the shore. As I watched further, I realized that the incoming tide along the beach was similarly coloured. Actually it was orange, not red; approximately the colour of orange Koolaid.
After grabbing an empty jar I went to the beach and took a sample. It wasn't just a surface skim, the water was coloured throughout. Uh-oh! A phone call to John Tayless, a retired professor of marine biology who lives on Denman, confirmed that it was a "red tide" bloom. Red tide is caused by the rapid proliferation of certain one-celled phytoplankton that produces the deadly toxin PSP (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning). To be honest, there are some red tides that are not associated with PSP, but apparently there has been an outbreak of this toxin up at Quadra Island and Campbell River and it appears to be proceeding down the coast.
PSP is a serious hazard. In humans it paralyzes the muscles making swallowing and breathing eventually impossible. It can be fatal in as little as 12 hours. Naturally, humans don't normally drink algae laden sea water. But oysters and clams are oblivious to the toxins and continue to feed on the phytoplankton, filtering the sea water and concentrating the toxins in their bodies. Humans are poisoned by eating those shellfish.
What really ticks me off is that I planned to eat a lot of seafood, especially oysters in the coming weeks when Marit is in Norway and I'm cooking for myself. I guess I'll have to resort to plan B: reduce the burgeoning flock of feral turkeys. But the effort required for that is several magnitudes greater.
UPDATE: Noon Monday. I've spoken with the Comox office of Fisheries Canada. They've assured me that although the algae bloom is spectacular, extending far along the coast, it has not tested positive for the PSP toxin. No shellfish harvest warning is warrented.. (However I'm still not eating any oysters for a while.)
Speaking of Marit, and of things red, she discovered the first ripe strawberries in her patch yesterday. The netting we keep over the patch successfully kept the birds from raiding our fruit but it was useless against the marauding woodbugs that insist on sharing the harvest. Tomorrow I'll try applying corn flour throughout the strawberry patch; its rumoured to be the woodbug equivalent of "death by chocolate".
The first harvest was small but we did have enough to top the great rhubarb pie Marit had made. I am detecting a serious problem in the timing of Marit's trip to Norway. She'll be gone the entire strawberry season and her delegate here at home will have a busy time making our favorite jam.
Earlier on Saturday Marit came with me on another of the nature walks sponsored by the Denman Conservancy. This walk, led by resident herbalist Sheelagh Mackenzie, explored many of the medicinal plants that grow on this island. I've been on many of Sheelagh's walks in previous years but this time I seemed to understand her messages more clearly. Marit agreed, we would never look at a dandelion quite the same again; a salad green or a pot herb, not a weed. Even the obnoxious sheep sorrel that I keep attacking in the garden or lawn has its use.
In the picture (right) we found ourselves in a large expanse of Lomatium nudicaule, or Indian Consumption Plant. We learned that native indians from the Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island regularly travel here to obtain "medicine" for their elders. I hope to return in a few weeks when the seeds are ripened to obtain some for our personal use. And next year I must remember to gather a supply of stinging nettle before the end of April; it develops tiny oxalic crystals that render it unusable this late in the season.
Next Wednesday is a major annual event on Denman Island; Beach Clean Up Day. Groups of Denman residents scour the beaches of Denman and bring the garbage to a central site at the Old School. In previous years the litter has largely been from commercial shellfish leases in the vicinity. This year I know the shellfish industry has made a tremendous effort to clean the shores of their scattered equipment. But the storms of last winter have caused such devastation and strewn their equipment so widely that I'm sure that lots will still be found.
We'll be away in Vancouver that day, heading for a KLM flight at the Vancouver Airport. So I have done my cleanup early and left my collection at the roadside. Pickup has been arranged with the cleanup committee. The pile is not all oyster pen components. At least four unmatched shoes are in the collection. Large unmatched shoes, sizes 11 and 12. Maybe the biggest guys really are the clumsiest.
A quick progress report from the garden: the corn has sprouted, and so has the first sowing of beans. The tomatoes have survived, although they are not exactly joyously happy yet. And in the next couple of days I'll finish planting the rest of the main season crops.
Lastly, I regret to report that Rudy Lehnert died on Wednesday, May 23. His passing was peaceful in the presence of his wife Anne at St. Joseph Hospital in Comox. This picture, in the extended care ward of St. Joseph's, was taken of him and his wife several years ago on his birthday.
He was a friend and neighbour in earlier years, and always a welcome and interesting visitor. I enjoyed knowing him.
Farewell Rudy. Mission accomplished.
Since she had an evening flight, we left early the same morning and drove to the Vancouver airport. After staying overnight with Lise and Gary, I drove out the next morning to visit my sister and her husband. Sonja and John have a beautiful 8 acre estate in Whonnock. Maybe it was the newly mown grass, or maybe the sunlight was just right, but the place looked more attractive than I've ever seen (upper left). Their garden was coming well, and her chickens looked healthy. After a hearty lunch I headed back the Horseshoe Bay ferry.
I'd forgotten about all the traffic congestion and the heavy ferry traffic. Even though I finally made it to the terminal shortly after 3:00 PM, I barely made it onto the 5:00 PM sailing (at 5:40). In Nanaimo I had the rare distinction of being the absolute last vehicle to disembark. I wasn't the fastest car on the Island Highway but very few others passed me, and I just made my connection back to Denman that evening.
The readjustment to Denman pace was easy; weeding and watering. We've had a heat spell this week with record high temperatures set at many locations in the province. Yet only the past two nights have been warm enough for pepper plants (above 12 degrees). Tomorrow is forecast to be cooler with rain; my peppers will have to stay in their pots and be taken inside at night for a while yet.
The annual Beach Cleanup Day was held and another mountain of garbage was collected. When I arrived Saturday morning a contractor from the "Shellfish Industry Equipment Recovery Project" had already begun work on disposing of the damaged components. The pile was much smaller than it had been the previous night. I do believe that the industry's recovery project has been very effective, when it finally was initiated. After the storms last winter there was enough equipment strewn on the beaches to bury this entire field several meters high. I commend the industry's effort (even though it was funded by a government grant).
Another nature walk on Saturday; a beach walk with John Tayless. At one time in his previous life (before retirement) he was curator of the public aquarium in Honolulu. He knows the beaches and can make them fascinating. One aspect he stresses are the niches in the intertidal zone; the narrow bands in which various sea life prospers. Any higher on the tidal zone is too dry to support their structure, and any lower there are too many predators and competing species. Sometimes these zones are almost as distinct as a line.
One feature that was stressed on this trip was the abundance of edible seaweed on this area. For instance, Nori is extensively used in the preparation of sushi. Nori grows extensively on the rocks in the mid-to-lower tidal zone and can be freely collected and dried. It can be used in soups or other food. I found it quite chewy when raw, but tasty. I'll try collecting and drying it later.
The orange bloom of algae has persisted on the shore through most of the week. In tonight's news I saw that it has continued down the coast of Vancouver Island and has now appeared in the south east corner. Everyone is startled to see it, however Fisheries Canada denies there is any toxins associated with this specific bloom. I've decided to trust them. For supper I just ate six of the largest oysters I could find at the low edge of the oyster bed. If there is no update of this website next week you might conclude I acted rashly.
The orange algae is not the only organism growing rapidly at this time of year. All our native vegetation is reacting to the stimulating warmth of spring. Some of the plants hidden in this west coast jungle are quite beautiful; wild columbine, native honeysuckle, Nootka rose. But the tangled thicket shown in the picture is actually my path to the beach. A major task for next week will be the pruning of all encroaching vegetation, especially the rose. The blossom is fleeting but the thorn is permanent. I need that access.
Hope you have great weather now over in Norway Marit. Back here we're actually hoping for a decent (but brief) rainfall.
During the summer months I don't burn wood in the stove. So Santa Clause comes by to clean the chimney. Then when he visits next Christmas he won't get his red suit all dirty from soot. Actually, Herman always tells me that the chimney was so clean he didn't need to service it, but I need the assurance that all is safe. When relying on wood heat, the flue should be cleaned at least once a year to avoid chimney fires.
This week there has been a small logging operation in the neighbourhood. Just two properties north of me, all trees near the house were removed, roots and all. Apparently the owner intends to trench the area and install drainage to eliminate a water problem under the base of the house. The trees were in the way of the trenching.
Despite the size of the trees, they weren't that old. Counting the rings, they were approximately 25 years old. They probably started growing the same year we bought our property. Actually, the house is looking better now when its not crowded by those close growing firs.
Its too bad he wants to use the firewood himself. I would have gladly helped him by removing those logs from his driveway, for free.
This week I almost started a fire in the stove again to warm up the house. Its been cold. And rain; I've measured 30 mm in my gauge this week. With temperatures as low as 9 degrees at night, I still can't put my pepper plants in the garden. I suspect I'll still be complaining about this next week.
In the earlier warm weather, the hummingbirds were scarce at my feeder. Now when the flowers are not cooperating in the rain and cold, ther's a steady stream of them coming to feed; draining the sugar-water very quickly. I didn't realize there were so many birds in the area.
Rivalry at the feeder is fierce among the males. But it'll be peaceful next month when the breeding and territorial disputes are over and the males leave. I understand they head up the nearby mountains for an extended stag party in the alpine blossoms before finally migrating back south.
Hummingbirds may be plentiful but water birds are scarce. We just completed our monthly waterfowl survey late this afternoon and only found two common loons and a red-breasted merganser. Oh, there was over a dozen gulls, a number of eagles, crows, and turkey vultures. But all the ducks and similar water birds have left for the northern breeding grounds. The wetlands up there must be quite extensive this year.
The snow may be a bit late fully melting in the mountains because of the huge snow pack this year and the low temperatures. I guess this cool weather is needed right now to minimize the flood hazard on our major rivers. There's a lot of people praying we don't get an early heat wave and melt all that snow too quickly.
Marit, I thought I'd show you how your peony has fared after the rains. Its been bowed but the blossoms are holding up well. The other peonys are budding but haven't yet opened in their full majesty. And sorry but I haven't yet removed the dead tulip foliage from your garden.
Speaking of gardens, the annual Denman Island Home and Garden Tour occurs next weekend. Always a spectacular affair, its recommended for anyone within traveling distance.
A word of warning to my neighbours who haven't yet heard: on Friday, June 15 (one day before the big tour), we are scheduled to lose power again. The electricity will be shut off at 2:00 PM for four hours to allow the final cutover of the new submarine cables that were installed last winter. Don't complain; I'm glad they're doing it now instead of last January. Again.
And one last word to those who questioned the wisdom of my oyster dinners after the extensive orange algae bloom: I'm still standing!
I had a great dinner today cooked by my daughter, Lise. She came up to spend a few relaxing days on the island. I hope she considers weeding and pruning a relaxing activity. Bringing some gardening clothes was a good sign. When I met her this afternoon at out ferry dock, we were surprised to spot a large otter scampering over the rocks below us. I know they're around but we don't often see them so close.
Summer is officially only a few days away but we're still waiting for warm weather. Corn is two weeks behind in development. Squash and pumpkins may not have enough warm days to ripen this year. My first cucumbers sprout poked through the soil just this morning. And of course my peppers would still never survive a night outdoors with the temperatures falling below 10 degrees. Woe is me; we peasants may starve this year.
An unexpected rainbow lingered in the early morning sun on Tuesday. I sensed it signaled that all will be well, summer will come, things will be better. But five days later there's no improvement, and none forecast in the coming week. Maybe I'm just inept in reading omens.
An annual phenomenon, the lowest tide of the year occurred Friday; 12:29 PM. It was a zero tide; 0.0 to be exact. I walked the beach seeing areas that are usually well submerged. At least 20 meters of the Eel Grass beds were exposed. (The eel grass bed is an important ecological area surrounding this island. It is the primary nursery for young almon and many other forms of aquatic life.)
I shared the water's edge with several Great Blue Herons that seemed to find good hunting. The shallow water was concentrated with small fish retreating as the waters receded. For the birds, this was a bountiful smorgasbord.
Other slow moving invertebrates were left high and dry. Most can tolerate a period of exposure. But they prefer some protection from predators and from the hot sun. Every rock in the area is harbouring a colony of refugees underneath.
Unfortunately the shallow water was very murky. The breeze had caused the water to churn up the mud. I had hoped to be able to spot some large crabs amongst the submerged weeds and harvest some Red Rock Crabs for the evening meal. I had to settle for oysters again.
Back at the homestead the gremlins are keeping me busy. After standing staunchly for many months, part of my wood pile just fell over and blocked the walkway to the door I normally use. Obviously it is demanding that I stack it in the woodshed, right now! Ornery wood like that should provide a lot of heat this winter. I can take the hint. My woodshed will get filled a little early this year. And I'll scrounge for the following year's wood later this summer.
There's lots of work to be done in the garden; weeding and protecting, pruning, planting and replanting when germination fails. One "housekeeping" task I finished this week was turning over the compost pile to help speed the decomposition. This last pile seemed to still have too much sawdust, maybe from the horse manure. I'm hoping it will be sufficiently cured by the end of summer. (If we get some heat).
Saturday morning I woke to the sound of falling rain; heavy rain. It was pouring on the first day of the Denman Island Home And Garden Tour. It was not just a quick shower; about 20 mm of rain fell during the day.
With rain clothes and an umbrella I began early, visiting sites that I hadn't seen in previous tours. After visiting two sites I had to return home for dry socks and rubber boots. (Note to self: Casual shoes are not appropriate for long muddy driveways and wet grassy fields, stupid!).
The homes were extremely varied. The house of Lee Andra Jacobs and Bruce Holden (left) is situated in the middle of the island. Their home and garden was developed piece by piece, building on their previous construction and using recycled lumber and wood milled on site. By choice, they are "off the grid" (no power lines). Solar cells and heavy duty batteries are their source of electricity.
Access to their home was an adventure. Bruce had built a new trail from their parking area. Even though he provided a hand-drawn map, I got lost a couple times. I admire and respect the home and the life they have built.
Another spectacular house on the tour was the home of Connie and Bryan Treen. This waterfront home above the shore of Baynes Sound appears to have been designed to coexist with the constraints of the rugged geography of the steeply sloping property. The views were great from the myriad of windows, and the multiple decks and balconies were really impressive. Its obviously structurally sound as it survived the full brunt of last winter's wind. I can identify with the residents, and a neighbour who's house was crushed by falling trees, as they huddled on the bottom floor during the hight of the storms.
All sites on the tour were interesting and impressive. I don't yet know if attendance on the tour was seriously affected by the weather. I also don't know the result of the raffle for the "Island Palette" rug; it should be drawn later this evening.
Oh; the power outage last Friday. It began promptly at 2:00 PM, as warned. But instead of a four hour outage ending at 6:00, it was less than 6 minutes before power was restored. Thanks to BC Hydro for the pleasant surprise.
We took some diversions throughout the week; one of them being a hike down to Boyle Point Park at the south end of Denman. Anyone who has ever visited us will recognize this view at the end of the trail; the lighthouse on Chrome Island.
But not everyone knows of the "other" site that can be seen from the same vantage point; an eagle's nest at the water's edge. We watched through binoculars as the parent tore a fish to pieces and fed its chick. (There only appeared to be one). And we saw the adult fluff the feathers within the nest and cover some over the youngster. There's no live web cam on these birds. Regular visits are necessary to monitor the progress of this eagle family.
The lookout point has changed. Personally I don't mind the new sturdy chain link fence replacing the old wooden structure; there's a shear cliff just beyond. But I was a little saddened to see the uprooted remains of the huge Arbutus tree that towered over the area. It was a victim of last winter's savage storms.
Another interesting diversion was spent on our neighbouring island, Hornby. Hiking the circuit of Helliwell park, we were cooled by a brisk ocean breeze. Unfortunately, this was not entirely welcomed because the temperatures never have risen very high yet this season.
The effect of the wind is graphically obvious on the landscape. This exposed edge of the island is exposed to the full brunt of all the south-easterly storms that regularly rage up the Straight of Georgia. Even these groves of Arbutus trees (lower right) have difficulty surviving the alternating droughts and storms.
Lise had a conference to attend this weekend, so on Friday we drove off to Nanaimo for her ferry ride back to the mainland. Thanks for being a good sport and cooking the suppers! And for helping with the strawberry harvesting.
I seem to notice, and mention, Arbutus trees more now because of the current exhibition of photographs at the Denman Art Gallery; "Arbutus on the Edge". Fifty large, framed, photographs by Andrew Fyson are currently on display. Andrew is not only an excellent photographer, he has a great eye for subject composition. I had an opportunity to study his display last Wednesday as a volunteer host for the gallery. Surprisingly, the one I found most interesting was not yet sold. If our home had any wall space remaining for it to hang, I would have bought it. The exhibition ends on Tuesday.
The Island Palette winner! Last Sunday evening after completion of the annual Home and Garden Tour, the winning ticket was drawn. The winner of the hand woven rug was Bridget Hill of Couer d'Alene Idaho. Congratulations Bridget.
Marit, I just wanted give you a glimpse of the development of your garden. The lilies are beginning to bloom is spite of the weather, but the peonies are now passing their prime and are suffering from the heavy rain showers.
The weather! Let me rant, hyperventilate, and get it off my chest for another week. Its cold! The tomatoes are talking about strike action. The peppers are getting motion sickness from their constant traveling indoors at night, and the pots are pinching their toes. And the squash are concentrating on surviving, not thriving. The problem is night temperatures. The last two mornings registered at 7.0 degrees. Great for arctic plankton but dismal for vegetable immigrants from somewhere south of Texas. Lets have a bit of that global warming right here, right now.
There. I feel better. [Yipe! Sunday night subsequently went down to 6.4 degrees.]
I was invited to a tour of one of the finest gardens on Denman this afternoon. Phyllis Brewer expressed "her roses would like to met you". So just a few hours ago I met with a small group of people and were conducted through a large collection of rose beds that are now at their finest display. What a treat. There were many other flowers and shrubs, but roses were the highlight attraction.
As we began the tour, the rain began to shower down heavily. I seemed to be the only individual who brought an umbrella. The rain let up of course, just as we finished the tour. On the outside table, some of the chips and dips had become a little damp or soggy, but after towelling off the chairs we were very comfortable.
It was a great end to the week.
Like many other communities across Canada, Denman Island celebrates with pancake breakfast sponsored by the local fire department. Pancakes and bacon, smothered in syrup and topped with strawberries and whipped cream. A daily quota of cholesterol filled by 9:00 AM. In one of the fire hall bays I spotted three chefs busily whipping up the rich mixture. Ironically they were our three island doctors; the very people who tell most patients to "lose 15 pounds".
What, you may ask, does Canada Day commemorate? Well, nothing really. We've never had a revolution, or major rebellion, or a struggle for independence. Somewhere in the past couple hundred years we just quietly evolved from a bunch of colonies into an independent nation. And July 1st seemed like a good time to have a holiday. Hey, any old excuse.
On Saturday there was another of the Nature Walk series; a "clam walk" with John Tayless. He showed us little-neck clams, manila clams, butter clams, horse clams, as well as oysters, moon snails, Nori seaweed, and a host of other features of the shore. John stresses the spectacular good fortune we have in this area; abundance of marine life, and cleanliness of the waters. We can eat "directly from the beach" with no contamination concerns. The oysters I frequently eat contain fresh plankton. A gourmet's delight.
After the clam walk, I went over to Hornby Island and hiked their Mt. Geoffry Escarpment Trail to Ford Cove. I wanted to visit an art show by where works by Elspeth Armstrong were being displayed. I saw her works four years ago and was extremely impressed. I'm even more overwhelmed now; the colour and brightness is even more vivid, (and the price tags have increased too). The landscape scenes appear to all be Hornby Island locations. If you're interested, have a look at her work on www.elspetharmstrong.ca
Earlier this week I drove out to the Forbidden Plateau area. I'd heard vague directions to a place called the "bowl"; (real vague, roughly where to park and start hiking). But I found it; a cairn at "The Medicine Bowls" with a plaque commemorating the last two drowning victims. At the site there was another memorial sign to an earlier victim. Somehow the place had a strange feeling.
The site is on the Brown River, a tributary of the Puntledge that flows through Courtenay. These two images were taken from the rock outcropping above the water. Just upstream the river plummets through a narrow fissure worn through the boulders. Maybe in the summer when the water is quieter the pools may look inviting and the current not as threatening. But now I can't imagine anyone willingly diving into those pools. Apparently many have. The last to die was 17.
This fellow below is a long way from 17. Dick Pollock was a summertime neighbour across the road. I believe he and his wife were the first to build on this street over 30 years ago. But eventually this wild living became a bit too much for them and he now lives in Victoria.
I was astonished when he surprised me having a late coffee on the back deck. He was up visiting old haunts. He follows this website and wanted to see the place in entirety.It was great having you drop in Dick.
The weather!It still hasn't improved. About 12 mm of rain accumulated from the showers this week. I finally put out the peppers on the first promising day; a failed promise. Yesterday morning was 8 degrees. I haven't dared look under the remay blanket I quickly threw over them.
But there is hope; summer looks to be arriving on Wednesday. Some good hot days are forecast that will put a smile on the tomato plants. And the local farmer, Wes Piercy, just cut some hay on a two acre parcel at the end of the road. (Although if I remember right, that often indicates imminent rain).
Incidentally, have any of you been able to see the planetary conjunction occurring? Venus and Saturn should be appearing side by side just after sunset tonight (Sunday, July 1st) as the sky starts to darken. They are directly west. Unfortunately clouds obscure the area for me now, just as they did last night.
But Friday evening they were clearly visible as the began their approach. Venus is the brighter planet (its much closer). Saturn appears smaller and was above and to the left.
Since Denman is not polluted with street lights, this is a good place for amateur astronomers with a back yard telescope. If only the hobby didn't require such late night activity....
Sometimes I feel under siege by the animals on this island. The threat of a deer invasion makes it necessary to keep a closed gate. It not only makes us look unfriendly, it also causes me to feel like a prisoner on in my own yard.
But this scene next door, just meters from my deer fence, shows the boldness of the deer. And they know I have tasty broccoli leaves and apple trees. inside this forbidden area.
This Red-breasted sapsucker isn't so threatening but it is annoying. For some reason this woodpecker likes to hammer on the mounting of my satellite dish; not to feed, just to "drum". I guess that's acceptable, as long as it doesn't start pecking at the metal disk itself.
Other birds have been startling me as much as I must frighten them. The raspberries are now ripening, and many species are regularly raiding the fruit. When I'm picking berries, immersed in the bushes, the invaders often don't see me until they've swooped down beside me. Their terrorized shriek as they explode away has almost caused a spilt bowl of berries.
At least the strawberry struggle is over. I've picked the last of the spring strawberries. I've made sure by leaving the net off the patch. Any straggling fruit that ripens will be quickly dispatched by a Robin or Towhee.
Last Monday was the last day of a weekend art exhibition on the island. The paintings were supposed to be displayed in the artist's spacious and colourful garden. But grey skies and rain showers forced the show indoors. Guests were still instructed to enter through the garden but advised to carefully shut the gates as they passed through. Apparently "her" deer know exactly where the raspberry bushes are located and head directly there for a gourmet dinner whenever the chance arises.
Incidentally, the work was great. Leslie Dunsmore is a superb artist. I advise anyone interested to view here work online at www.lesliedunsmore.com
Tuesday was adventure time. I decided to explore a little known backwoods route to Horne Lake Park and return by the conventional paved road and highway. The route is through a network of forestry access roads. I started off, but after about 5 kilometers came to a junction; my intended route has a sign warning "Active Logging: Stay out". As I sat pondering the situation, two large fully loaded logging trucks came barrelling toward me on the road. On the narrow road. I decided that maybe I should postpone this adventure until the pending forestry workers strike occurs. Come on guys; stop being so productive.
Some of the alternate unused routes were interesting. There were some roads I've wondered about; where do they go? In every case I discovered "nowhere!" I did find an awful lot of rabbits back in the hills; I just hope they don't swim. And the scenery was interesting. The far piece of land on the horizon (right) is Denman Island. With binoculars I could clearly see the patch of logging clearcut on what is locally inappropriately called "Green Ridge".
Later in the week, the orange algae bloom returned and the tide waters were again coloured like orange koolaide. Apparently its not the poisonous red tide, but it finally did take my taste temporarily off oysters. (I've been eating them every second day recently).
Wednesday night some neighbours on the next road took pity on this old bachelor and invited me over for dinner. Len and Nicole are both gourmet cooks and the meal was "out of this world". Come to think of it, all the other guests that night were ladies. Thanks Len, but my wife is coming back on Friday.
After suffering rain and floods in Norway, Marit may have climate shock when she arrives next week. Summer has arrived here finally and the forecast suggests temperatures up to 34 degrees. Fortunately the long range prediction is hinting clouds and cooler by Friday. So Marit, you may feel "at home" when you arrive.
The plane was right on schedule. Luggage and customs went smoothly and we arrived earlier than expected for dinner with Lise and Gary. Very early Saturday morning we headed to Horseshoe Bay. The lineup for the first sailing (at 6:20AM) was surprisingly long, but we were early enough to easily get aboard. We were lucky; we didn't know that two of the large ferries to Vancouver Island had just been taken out of service because of engine and mechanical problems. You can imagine the lineups and wait times later in the day.
Within hours of arriving home Marit was hard at work. I picked; she shelled. She was even less pleased when she surveyed her garden. Her descriptive words included "jungle" and "overgrown". Well, I'd had permission to weed her garden while she was away but didn't think I had authority to pull out any of her treasured plants, or their progeny. So Marit has been very busy today imposing a sense of order among the survivors in the garden beds. And my compost heap has grown immensely. It even smelled great after her herb garden had been heavily pruned.
This has been a beautiful week of summer weather. The temperature only reached 33 degrees here but it was much warmer away from the water. Much of the garden exploded in its growth. The pumpkins started their invasive race to capture territory. (I believe the concept is "Liebenstraum"). The corn stretched above eye level. I couldn't keep up with the tomato plants as their suckers sprouted skyward from every stem junction. And they all began to demand more water at root level.
In the midst of this dynamic period, it was also necessary to do a little housecleaning. Okay, a lot of housecleaning. I succeeded. And I'm very fortunate that she hasn't recognized the splendid accomplishment; she might assign the task permanently.
The weather changed a bit this weekend; partially cloudy and cooler. It wasn't such a sudden shock for Marit after the past couple of weeks of rain and floods in Norway. Last week on Denman was extremely busy for many people as they raced to harvest their first crop of hay. The balers were working steadily as I prepared to leave for the Vancouver airport. Now it would be nice to have a good rainfall to reduce the high fire rating (and irrigate the gardens).
One island native who loves the heat scampered out as I watered a clump of flowers this afternoon. This Northwest Alligator Lizard was a bit smaller than others I've seen on the property. (They grow to 20 cms. That curb brick its straddling is 7 cms.) They're welcome here; they eat bugs that we don't really like. These lizards are fast, unlike the salamanders which look a little similar. I didn't try to catch it. Apparently they'll drop their tail if necessary and I didn't want the souvenir.
Friday, Norris Girling, an old workmate (from a previous life when I worked for BC Hydro) celebrated his pending retirement. The timing was perfect; his reception in the Hydro auditorium at 2:00PM allowed me to attend and still reach the airport in time for Marit's flight. It was great seeing many of the old group from the office. They're all aging, some of them more gracefully than others. I must be the only one that's not changing at all. Unfortunately I left my camera back in the car. Sorry Norris, but no picture. Congratulations anyway. Retirement is great; I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Instead, I'll display this parade that sailed by the house this morning. Its significance?; none that I know of. It was just interesting.
Now Marit has the challenge of recovering from her jet lag. Then all will be back to normal here. Whatever "normal" is.
Daybreak on Wednesday (left) was cloudy and cool but ... serene. This morning's scene (right) was quite different. The weekend has brought wind and rain; 24 mm precipitation was registered in my gauge. Many people have expressed that summer was nice a week ago, but awfully short.
The winds were nothing like the storms of last winter but were strong enough to knock down a few corn stalks and flatten a bed of broccoli. One plant was snapped off at the stem. The inch of rain was nice but we're looking forward to a return of the sunshine; maybe by Tuesday.
Marit has been working like a woman with a purpose; busy with the vegetables as well as the flower gardens, freezing produce, making jam, baking bread and pie as well as daily chores. She's also found it necessary to restock all the provisions that I used up in her 6 week absence. Welcome home dear. /p>
Earlier this week I re-filled the woodsheds with 2 cords of firewood. While moving the pile I had previously stashed outside, I disturbed a salamander guarding her cache of eggs. Apparently six species of salamanders have been identified on this island. The one in my woodpile appeared to be a Clouded Salamander. Their appearance here is a bit strange. Apparently they're found down in Oregon, and on Vancouver Island but not in between; not on mainland BC or in Washington state. And they can't tolerate salt water so they're not swimming on or off the island.
Anyway, my salamander seems to have abandoned her vigil after I disturbed the site. I've left that small pile of wood intact but I don't know if the eggs can survive without the parent protecting them from fungus and from predators. Incidentally, that mother could move very quickly; much faster than I thought a salamander was capable of maneuvering.
Before the storms arrived two navy ships were traveling out front on Baynes Sound. They appeared to be taking a group of cadets for a day's cruise. The ships were very polite; they even stopped to let our local ferry cross to Buckley Bay.
The major activity on the island this weekend is the annual Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival. I haven't chosen to participate in any sessions of the festival but the more erudite citizens of the island report that it is profoundly interesting and enjoyable. This morning the CBC radio show, "North by Northwest" with Sheryl Mackay, was broadcast live from our Arts Centre. Many sleepy-eyed residents were there in the audience from 6:00 to 9:00 AM.
My preference is for the two concerts being given by Kai Gleusteen and his wife Catherine Ordronneau. I've previously enjoyed their music immensely and will attend both tonight and Tuesday.
Last week, Telus (our local telephone company) finally took down their old pole at the roadside. Three years ago the pole had been replaced by BC Hydro. But their electrical union workers were not allowed to touch the telephone equipment attached to the old pole. They had cut off the old pole, top and bottom, and left it attached by two metal straps to the new pole. For three years it hung precariously; even surviving the major storms of last winter. Finally last Wednesday a lone worker came by, re-attached the line to the new post, and dropped the old log. Within the hour, my neighbour had it cut up and stacked on his woodpile.
And since its time to run off to the concert, that's all for this week.
Late addendum: The concert was terrific. Four other musicians from Saltspring Island and Victoria joined Kai and formed a string quintet. I hadn't realized Mozart's "String Quintet in G Minor" was such a masterful work. A terrific evening.
Each year Marit and I compete to grow the first ripe tomato; mine from the garden beds versus hers from containers along the south wall of the house. I'll admit, she wasn't here to care for her plants for six weeks but I did keep them watered. These winners weren't huge; they varied from 5 to 7 cms. But they were ripe and delicious. They're an heirloom variety; "Stupice".
There's lots of work in the gardens now. Marit spends an amazing amount of time in the landscape tending the flower and ornamental beds as well as harvesting the vegetables. The strawberry beds are "hers" too and they have a surprisingly high maintenance requirement.
Today we've had an extra hand in the garden. Lise has come out for her summer vacation. She'll be using Denman Island as her home base and taking some day trips to sightsee and to attend interesting events in the Comox Valley and surrounding areas. Here she's picking bush beans while Marit struggles with strawberry runners that are so prolific they're even choking out other weeds.
I've been busy digging the potatoes. The tubers are curing for a couple weeks in the garage before being stored in the root cellar; The tops of course are added to the compost. (Yes you city kids, potatoes have tops; stems, leaves, and even flowers.) After digging each row and amending the soil with peat moss and fertilizer, I've reverted to my early childhood pretending I'm a "rototiller"; digging in the dirt with my hands and mixing up everything to a fluffy texture. A lot of plants had been started earlier in pots; kale, winter cabbage, and brussel sprouts. And these have been transplanted into the refurbished beds. We'll see next winter if this works out as planned.
The weather has been quite erratic. Last Monday the temperature at night went down to 10.5 degrees (at the sensor which is 2 meters off the ground. It was colder at ground level). The corn seems to be growing well, but the pepper plants are struggling with the conditions. Two plants went into shock Monday night and one looks to be terminal. Summer warmth would really be appreciated for these heat loving crops, but ironically a good rainfall would be welcome too. Who said I can't have it all?
The Denman Conservancy Association (DCA) has been conducting a series of tours through their newly acquired property, "Central Park". They hope to introduce more islanders to the area and solicit a consensus among residents as to the favored development and use of this property. I attended the tour Friday morning. Even though I'd been through the area previously I was surprised at some of the features. I hadn't realized the significant elevation change on some of the ridges. And the wetlands look much different in the summer with all the sedge growth.
This marsh is actually a beaver pond. The original dam, on which I stood to photograph the site, was amended years ago into an equipment access route. Last I heard, the beavers didn't object to extra help.
Probably most people didn't notice the major event that occurred this week, but I did. The Swainson Thrush stopped singing. All of them. Last Sunday was the first morning they fell silent. It happens every year, possibly signifying the kids have left and there's no reason to defend territorial borders. I have mixed feeling. I'll miss the beautiful and loud sound each morning and evening, but sleep will be a bit easier and longer.
The hummingbirds, the juveniles anyway, are still here. But in another week I expect them to disappear too. Its only the end of July but already the season has started to wind down. Before the real summer has even arrived yet.
We met these two Norwegian Trolls at the Filberg Festival in Comox. We knew they were trolls; their tails gave them away. When they talked about making a "Lise sandwich", they didn't just mean having my daughter sitting between them.
These trolls were just a couple of the attractions at the 40th annual Filberg Festival being held in Comox this long weekend. Marit, Lise, and I all went on Friday and made a complete tour. It was large; the scene to the right was replicated twenty-fold throughout the park. My simple mind was on sensory-overload with the multitude of arts and craft vendors and concession stands.
There were no rides or games, but there was entertainment; continual performances on three stages. (One of the stages was oriented towards children's interests). And there were interesting diversions happening throughout the day in the festival areas.
I'll admit, there's a limit to my tolerance to these extravaganzas and I didn't spend as much time there as Marit and Lise did. (I had to sneak off for a trunk load of gardening supplies). We finished off the day in Comox at the Bamboo Inn, a Chinese buffet. The selections were delicious but too many to sample; (a different kind of sensory-overload).
But one day wasn't enough for Lise. The entertainment program was so interesting that she went back for more on Saturday, and stayed for the "Symphony by the Sea" program in the evening. She's even intending a final return on Monday for some daytime performances. (She took a break today; went to the Bluegrass Festival in Coombs).
Back on Denman, I've noticed a change in the summer. The birds have stopped their territorial singing. The hummingbirds have just left; Thursday (August 2nd) was the last day the feeder was used. I just spotted one hummingbird in the back flowers a couple hours ago but I suspect it was a migrant passing through. And the geese have started flying over this area again in the morning; all 80 of them. The season "feels" different.
The garden looks different too with all the pea vines removed. The potato rows have been tilled and are being replanted with other crops. And we're just reaching that awkward time when the harvest is a little too bountiful. How about broccoli custard for dessert? Cauliflower ice cream?
There has been no rain for a few weeks now but with the moderate temperatures and the occasional cloud, we aren't too dry. The yard (actually, the lawn-like object) still has some green colour, even though we never waste water on it. Fortunately the well provides enough water for other "necessities"; the veggies, the flower beds, and the bird bath.
The week has been busy but I suspect most people would find it boring to hear about progress on the compost pile, or clearing the fence row of weeds. So I'll quietly sign off.
The waters of Baynes Sound were once again streaked by marine organisms. This time the colour was white. White and frothy. Any disturbance on the water, such as boat propellers. wind action, or washing ashore, caused the water to foam; much like soap or detergent. Occasionally it mingled with streams of the "orange tide" that periodically still appears. And mixed with floating green seaweed, the effect was... well,.. yucky!
I've heard two possible explanations from a marine biologist. One is that this is another algae bloom, with its own unique organic polymers. Another suggests that its the reproductive fluid of a large number of marine invertebrates. This I don't believe since the distribution is so extensive. Nevertheless, on that concept one individual has renamed this area of the ocean as "Semen Sound". (Oops, there goes my "family rating". This web site is now PG-13).
L