Wildlife and Wildflowers

A variety of photos showcasing some of the colour and wildlife observed over the past couple of months...

A Baseball Moment (Or Two)

Yes I know I am all about the wildlife and lack of popular urban pleasures, but I have to allow myself the luxury of a post pertaining to my favourite sport.

During the week of July 8-17th Prince George hosted the World Baseball Challenge featuring teams from Cuba, Japan, Canada, the Bahamas, and two teams from China. I happened to be around town for a couple of those days and you know I was there like a dirty shirt...I dragged my friend Chris from HQ, and appreciate the sacrifice he made by cutting out from work for the afternoon...

Me pretty pumped up to see a live sporting event...




The first day was great with some awesome baseball as Canada beat one of the teams from China.

On the way out of the park I couldn't resist "pulling" a little fun at the Root Bear...who knew he had his own bouncer?




After getting served a restraining order banning me from any "mascot contact" I returned the next day to watch an afternoon game between Canada and Cuba. Chris and I decided to set up in the beer garden this time where it was packed for excitement...




The manager of Jamaica was doing his best to perpetuate the stereotype of his country being all about the relaxation...




Of course Cuba is a baseball superpowqer but we held our own for a while.




As we slipped into the losing end of things I amused myself (and a few others) by making a well-timed dive to retrieve a foul ball...not as great a catch as Matt's Safeco snag but at least I got the @!#$ ball this time!



As the light started to fade so did our hopes of a win. I decided to drown my sorrows with some beer garden favourites..




The local Prince George beer company decided to liven things up by throwing out free hats and I snagged a beauty. By then I had also sampled a couple of their beer...it is rumoured they collect the water from just below the pulp mill. Does it show?



As night fell the game wound down and the rain started...



...but we left happy and well fed, and without any further mascot incidents.

Being so far away makes me miss the trips to Seattle, and the ability to go anywhere at any time to do anything. But then maybe the isolation just makes these types of events that much sweeter.

To PG and Back

Last week provided the opportunity for a quick trip to Prince George for work related functions. I knew the drive would be long but was looking forward to the prospect of seeing an anticipated abundance of wildlife. If the one hour trip to Fort Ware yielded frequent sightings then the almost 5 hour trip down the lake should guarantee to not disappoint.

It didn't take long, and my first contact was with the biggest moose I have ever seen. I came around a corner and almost made contact but (s)he managed to get to the safety of a side road...



A couple of corners later I got an opportunity to stop and watch this beauty walk across the road. I found a trick of stopping the truck and then starting to move forward when the bear starts walking. This makes him stop and stare for a moment which allows for good photography with minimal stress on both parties...



During the drive it was easy to see the spring/summer season was in full force. The rivers were high with run-off and the grey skies seemed to amplify the light green of the new growth.







Half way down the lake I came across a mother and three cubs. I missed the photo op but decided to try to wait them out. Mom and I stared at each other for an eternity but she won the contest...I gave up and carried on disappointed. I had no idea we would be meeting again...



I finally hit pavement and carried on for the final hour and a half trip to PG. Half way there I noticed a family of ducks on the side of the highway trying to cross the busy road. I turned around and watched for traffic as they finally took the plunge. In reality it would just be pure luck if they made it since we were on a corner and I could not safely stop traffic...







With that bit of drama behind me I carried on to the big metropolis. There I met up with Tasha returning from a visit with her family on Vancouver Island, and after a couple of days of civilization (read: Starbucks and a movie) we returned with the truck loaded with supplies. Adam followed and we made the 7hr trip back to Tsay Keh.

While approaching the same area I had previously seen the mom and cubs we were advised on the logging road radio that there was a bear sighting up ahead. This time we were rewarded with one of the best shows I have seen. It was the same family but this time the cubs felt like tree climbing instead of running so we had all the time in the world to stop and stare...



Soon the highest cub decided to try for the tree tops...you can barely him up near the branches.



And we were left with two...



The more adventurous of the two seemed to want to climb also.





But ended up having to take a seat and wait for us to go...



Before long we let them get back to their regular routine, and us to ours. Back to the familiar long and bumpy road...and the quiet and simple life we lead waiting at the end...

Of Bears and Bald Eagles

Yesterday was a good day for a drive to Fort Ware. I met three bears in one trip which isn't unusual, but this time I figured out a strategy to hopefully increase my chances at getting better photos.

Caught this guy on the way up...love the rolling road behind...

After getting frustrated with the bears running off I decided to park, shut off the vehicle, and wait out the next one. As you can see by the following series this approach seemed to work. After a few minutes of waiting I heard rustling and a head popped out...



I was outside the truck but standing dead still so after sniffing the air my new friend decided to venture out to the road.





After crossing the road he paused on the bank to give me a sniff and perhaps consider having some human kibbles.



But I must have smelled unappetizing to him since he carried on...



As anyone that follows this blog knows, this area is rich with wildlife. Recently a bald eagle was found at Collins Camp with a broken wing. We provided an animal kennel, located a wildlife rescue centre in Prince George, and NT Air kindly provided transport. This morning the lucky raptor headed to recovery...

All Things Wild and Beautiful

Flying home for the last leg of the trip I was amazed to see the snow had disappeared...it won't be long before we will be complaining about the heat! Here we are looking south over the town of Tsay Keh Dene to Williston Lake...




...and this is looking north over the town, up the valley towards Fort Ware.




You can see the detachment and houses above and slightly to the left of the large blue building behind the trees on the lake-bank. Ah, home sweet home...




Work was extremely busy from the moment I returned, however one really nice day I did get a chance to hop on the ATVs with Tasha and Adam for a short burn up a nearby hill. Not a bad view...

A community game of baseball just happened to break out on my birthday. I found it a fun and fulfilling way to celebrate though I realized afterwards age is creeping up faster than I would like...I probably should have stretched first!




Of course a good way to stave off age-related osteoperosis is to go out and cut a bunch of firewood! Yes, it is fire-pit season once again, therefore this is a task that never feels like a chore...




It seems like it has taken forever for the deciduous trees to leaf out but finally the light green hue has made its appearance...




The mountain range at Tsay Keh Dene reflects the setting sun on most clear nights this time of year...




In Fort Ware the horses wander around town. They are looked after by the entire community and wear large bells around their necks. This was one of the first warm days of spring and the new grass must have tasted so nice after the lean winter months.




Of course wildlife is always just around the corner up here...






And the stunning scenery just keeps coming...

Although at times it can be a challenge living up here this place sure makes an effort to balance things out. There is so much to explore and so little time left to do it...only one more year to take in a lifetime of northern sights and experiences. I can't wait to get our new kayaks which will open up the door to some river-based adventure...