Hunting / Finding

 I knew that I had to write a post after beginning the hunt.  Monday was the first day of early Elk.  I went on my own because my hunting partner needed to rest.  

When I got to the area, more people than I was comfortable with were already hunting.  So I spent the majority of my hunt going from area to area and confirming who owns what property still, and exploring where which animals were spending their time.

I started on the Gardners property north of 532, but there was 6-8 trucks of people in at 8am when I arrived.  I moved up to the Gardners north property but there was 4-5 trucks there.  So I drove to the east side of the north area to scope the land.  I watched two groups of hunters walking back to their trucks but didn't see many animals.

After that I drove up to the Joworskis, talked to Jim for a bit.  He told me that Larry's property has elk on it right now.  So over to Larry I went.  He had already given all permission out but he carved out a day for me to work his north property on friday.

Here are some photos of driving out to the hunting area at sun up.

After that, for a short while I was appreciating the cattle being moved out of the one section.  The farm hands were pushing the herd down the road towards a loading area.

Then I drove past these fence posts half a douzen times trying to get this murder while they were sitting.  But I didn't catch the photos when I had the opportunity.  I only got two action photos of them flying away and one shot of a single crow moving up to the top of a power pole to get away from me.

Lastly, as always, i drove past the McPhersens and there were mulie on the east face of this hill.  Without fail I find deer on this side of the hill on the highway.

So now to the sad part.  On the last ten minutes of the drive home I started thinking about Arta's reactions / feelings when I would be hunting.  It was a different pride that I didn't always see from her.  It made me cry pretty hard for the last ten minutes of the drive trying to deconstruct this idea.  I loved that she loved that I hunted.  It's a difficult thing to express.  It was a bit like a piece of her that I got to keep to myself.  I hunted, she beamed when I would tell her stories like the one above.  She was like a hunting partner to me in many ways.  

That's enough sharing for now.

Thanksgiving weekend at the lake (with rainbows to boot)

It was a whirlwind visit for me: two days (three nights) at the lake.  I am accustomed to the palette of summer, of spring, and even of winter.  But I so seldom have the chance to be there in the fall.   Autumn is beautiful.   

I didn't know ferns were anything but green!

Larch and thimbleberry leaves turning yellow

A vibrant pop of red and purple

On Saturday morning, a low cloud was sitting on top of Bastion Mountain.  And when it lifted up, it left a hat of snow sitting on top!

A sweep of white across the top of the mountain

a closer shot of the snow at the top

While the snow was amazing to see, it was gone by evening time.  Still, it was a wonderful reminder that the season of rest is nearly upon us!

On Sunday evening, we all converged on Moiya's house for an astonishing thanksgiving dinner.  All I can say is, "Wow!"  

 

This was a feast for the belly and the heart

There was much laughter and conversation as people sat down to eat, when (with her own inimitable style), Moiya used her 'outdoor voice', commanding us all to stop talking and to look out the window.  And this is what we saw! 

 

As you might imagine, there was a rush to the deck, as those of us with phones tried to capture this thanksgiving gift.   The yellow colour spread across the hill does not come from the trees, but from one mighty and targeted burst of sunshine breaking through all the dark clouds in the sky.  Breathtaking.

Because I can't decide which of my three photo angles I like best, I will just include them all. 

 

The rainbow is landing precisely at "Johnson's Point", which I took as a good omen for the upcoming road ahead.  We did wonder where the rainbow showed up for the (unrelated to us) Johnson's who live there.   Did it head towards Sicamous, or did they see the end landing overtop of Moiya's house?   It certainly felt like we hit the jackpot with the meal she had prepared!  :-)

Monday morning, there was just enough time to take a walk around, letting the smell of the forest seep into my lungs.  No matter which way you turn, it is a place of beauty.

The view from Marcia and Art's lot

Also, a glance at the roof on Doral's house is a reminder that life bursts forth on built-structures too.   I know it needs replacing, but I think the moss-covered roof looks rather spectacular!

Seriously... isn't it beautiful?!

And the grapevines add a lace-like ruffle.

Moiya stopped to say goodbye, and put several bunches of green concorde grapes in my hands for the drive back to the Kelowna airport.

Yep, they were every bit as tasty as they look!

I am hoping to get out there again in November.  We will see!

Haikus - Reflections after 500+ days in a pandemic

 

Our Department at McGill is having a STORY CONTEST on the theme of Moving Forward Together.

I submitted the following hiakus that summarize some of the things that have been on my heart related to the idea of moving forward.  

September at the Lake

An eagle looking for dinner

Steve and Alex have spent September at the lake!

Steve has been texting photos to me while on his morning or evening walks.  

As I have looked at them, I have been reminded that so many of my visual images of the lake are rooted in Summer, with a bit of Spring, and a spattering of Winter.   But Autumn?   I have not got many images of that season.

I thought the rest of you 'summer folk' out there might also want to watch along: different times of day, different angles, different sunrises and sunsets.   I do like imagining myself sitting down on the beach, looking out at these views. [he has also sent me lots of photos of bear scat on the paths, but I have chosen not to share those here!  :-)]

It is like a stacked tower of cloud

I love the hill reflected into the lake

Penny wondering if she should take a dip...

There is so much beach!

The sun being selective in where it sends its rays?

Just a small touch of pink in the distance?

Are those clouds bringing rain?

Steve calls this a "cloud train"

Clear skies whether looking towards the Salmon Arm way...

...or looking towards Sicamous

This is NOT where the sun sets in the summer