nature undetected

I live in an area which used to be rural but now with more and more houses being built and more people moving in to the area , I think we could call it suburbia.

We are lucky in that we are  close enough to walk to the nearby shopping centre or can wander  at whim through the local wild park.

This park’s trees that line the roadway also line a pretty little creek/river(this time of year it’s a creek but in winter, it’s definitely in the river categories )

The other day, we stopped to look over the bridge(bridges somehow compel one to pause and look over) and saw,

scrambling over the rocks a tidy little mink!

Meanwhile the morning traffic was thundering by on the nearby road, all passengers totally oblivious to this little creature.

A pleasant sight to begin the day with…..

elk calf kicks up heels

Australia wildfires

We have been continuing to watch with sadness the out of control wild fires in Australia. The  resulting damage to  houses, people and wildlife is shocking.

Apparently there is no doubt that the majority of the fires were set by arsonists.

It is so horrible to consider that they will never be brought to justice because there is no way to find any evidence, as it has all been consumed by the fires.

I cannot begin to  imagine the thought process which results in such heinous actions. Are they proud to see the damage, and the innocent people and animals killed?

I wonder.

Some say that the fires were set because the arsonists were jealous of the upscale houses and comfortable lifestyles of those affected.

Totally lazy day

We went for a long walk this morning quite early. The rains had stopped earlier in the morning and although damp, it was very mild.

We walked by the river which was pretty impressive; so overflowing with real rapids in some areas, the water the colour of strong tea.

Every where we could hear birds calling; robins, juncos and wrens, all sounding as if they thought spring could not be far off!

Meanwhile, in the water, lots of ducks were enjoying themselves. As soon as they saw us they immediately made for the closest bank. They clearly are being well fed by other walkers, but we were not supplied with food so they disappointedly watched us continue by.

It was lovely out, and we were lucky that we started when we did as on the way back we could see fog coming in, and the air immediately started to get chilly.Our ears were like ice cubes from the dampness but we still felt warm!

The fog surrounded the house once we were inside, and we could only see the tips of the fir trees and it was apparent that no neighbours felt it necessary to venture forth because the streets were quiet.

I did NOTHING the rest of the day except a bit of laundry and then played on the computer.

It was decadent but relaxing; need days like this!

Cougar sighting!!

There has been a cougar sighting here; and actually quite close to our neighbourhood. This is a bit alarming as we have been taking early morning walks in the parks near us. We may have to change our route until it has been either tranquilized and relocated or else have been told via the media that it has been sighted somewhere FAR from here..

“The cougar, also called mountain lion or panther, is Canada’s largest cat. Cougars have long tails which may be one third of their total body length. An adult male cougar weighs between 63 and 90 kg (140-220 lbs) and a female adult cougar weighs between 40 and 50 kg ( 90-120 lbs).

What Cougars Eat:

The cougar’s primary prey is deer. It will also feed on wild sheep, elk, moose, rabbits, beaver, raccoons, grouse, and livestock.

When Are You Most Likely To See A Cougar:

Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn. However, they will roam and hunt at any time of the day or night and in all seasons. During late spring and early summer, one to two year old cougars become independent of their mothers. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars may roam widely in search of unoccupied territory. This is when cougars are most likely to conflict with humans.

If You Meet A Cougar:

- Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.

- Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.

- Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.

- Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.

- Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.

- Do not turn your back on a cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.

- Do all you can to enlarge your image. Do not crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If A Cougar Behaves Aggressively:

- Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat not prey.

- If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.

Remember:

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with you and the cougar coming away unharmed. Most British Columbians will live all their lives without ever seeing a glimpse of a cougar. Conflict between cougars and humans is extremely rare.