This winter and spring, our personal lives was one of broken hearts. A slow process of healing. My blog pushed back. This blog not terribly imaginative, it is a start.
We have surfaced!
We have three fawns on our doorstep. One set of twins (we call Shelley and Cynthia) and the other we call Giddi Up. Giddi Up has a dance to s/he's step. So much so, one cannot help but to break out in a silly grin and laugh. Today, Giddi Up had a show for us. My banks have tiny-mini trails etched out between the plants. Am I upset? Not in the slightest!
Sun rise, sun set. All that is in between can be so incredibly beautiful, or so its seems. I strive to appreciate beauty in everything that passes my way. The morning light is the finest time for photography, my cameras are at the ready. Late afternoon sun is harsh, the photos never seem to be what I recall, I rarely try to see through the lens.
As you know, my followers who read this blog, my interest in our property and the creatures that pass through have put a perpetual grin on my face. I smile at everything that walks, crawls, slithers, runs and yes, eats my garden. We are one eco sysytem that live in harmony.
It was last night that changed my silly grin to one of deep laughter. The laughter of friends making a discovery that will be the heart of conversation for years to come. My friend asked to see my new veg garden. The evening garden walk lands us at the raised boxes. What do we see, a monster snail. My friend says; "That's an escargot, I've seen them in France". I cannot believe my eyes, this snail is mammoth, clearly the strongest of its species, apparently escaping from France. I don't think twice, grab my camera, take multitude of pics, then....remember the lighting, how lighting can change everything? The lighting was perfect, the shadows were perfect, the venue for escargot not so seamless. Should we move it, should we...now wait a minute....it hasn't moved. Yes my friends, the escargot is rubber. The placement of the snail was executed with skill, the lighting exquisite, the friend that discovered this with me was all too amused.
II do not feel duped at all. I adore the humour and the way my evening ended with a good friend. We have emailed each other through the day, all with cheery notes on our rubber snail.
The question is: How does a rubber snail escape from France and end up here?
All housekeepers, who clean for a living, have a pail with their essential tools of the trade. Glass cleaner, cloths, spot removers etc. Their pail is a 'catch all'. For 9 years, I have used the same pail, and to no surprise, I have never cleaned it. I suppose that would be like vacuuming the vacuum cleaner. The thought has never occurred to me, until yesterday. The reason being, there is spare change at the bottom of my bucket. For 9 years, I have tossed in the odd coin, left behind by guests, either on purpose or dropped on the floor.
Treasury Canada has announced there will no longer be a Canadian penny. I have noticed this transition at most shops now, the value is rounded off and no pennies exchange hands. Thinking, It's a good thing I don't collect jars of change. Yes, I am free from this financial burden. Whoa, what about the pail? Then occurred to me, I have a pail of change. I poured my bounty out and started to count. In 9 years I have collected $10.00 in small change. Ten dollars that I didn't have two days ago. I am now penniless.
These is my picture of a dung beetle, from Kenya. He can roll a ball 10 times his size. The eggs are layed inside the ball and the ball of dung feeds the larvae. How cool is that!
For those of you who know me, it it not unusual for me have a new injury. The way I see this, I am so active something is bound to get in my way, like a boulder grabbing my finger. Who knew boulders were so vicious and mean spirited? Injuries are a friend, I am Kalamity Kathi and proud of it. You know the scope of stories, you don't know this one. Yes, not in our backyard, yes..in Kenya. I have to travel across the world, I have run out of challenging disasters at home.
First were the Safari Ants. These carnivorous little buggers eat flesh. Me, standing still, too long, in the Savannahs, the ants hunt human flesh, this I am convinced of. They crawl up your pant legs and dine. The only way to rid them, is to kill them. Once they attach their jaws on your skin, one of you has to die and it isn't me, not today. I am proud to say I have invented the "Elephant Pepper Ant Dance". Quite amusing, especially with ones pants dropped at ankle level with 3 men watching.
Then there was the flash storm at 4am, our high caliber lodge leaked and I slipped rescuing our luggage. The details are not important, it's the power of denial that shines through here. I had to make a swift decision to either come home or continue our journey. My husband, now proficient in years of medical procedures, stitched me up and held my hand, in a bloody cold shower (no ice at 4am). I am in complete denial. There was no 'incident'. Repeat this Kath, there was no incident.
For the remainder of our journey he would ask me, once a day, and once a day only at my request, "Everything good?". I would stoically answer, "I'm, good". Strangely enough, being in denial has its merits. Our brains can concentrate on one major thought at a time. I focus on our journey. Game drives, sundowners and copious amounts drugs. Don't leave home without denial or superior pain killers, they make dandy companions.
Enjoy my video of this Marsh Pride, my name for these cats who really disliked crossing water. They were on a hunt for a warthog. The warthog lived to see another day.
I dedicated this blog to Donna, for teaching me the power of denial.
Lately, taking photos of my creatures has been near to impossible. They move with lightning speed, even though I ask them to wait just for a few seconds. Do I dash for the cameras or do I stop and soak up the moment? Yes, my eyes will remember.
This spring and summer we witnessed a river otter run through the property. 'What you say..a river otter!' Oh yes. I am almost certain someone around here has or rather had, a pond with fish. A belly full of lunch without much labour, other than walking half a kilometre on land then back to the sea. Seems like a lot of work to me. "How Cool Is That?"
Yesterday, a pod of 4 Orcas. 'What you say...Orcas?' Oh yes! 4 Killer Whales. We watched until the last dorsal fin blended in with the heat waves of the distance. These events simply take my breath away. "How Cool Is That?"
I have also see one Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. What you say...'a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly!Be still my beating heart.' Usually I see the Western Tiger Swallowtails. Oh goodness the Canadian is so large and gorgeous. "How Cool Is That?"
Lately, I have taken to stealing snippets of words from friends, using these little phrases then passing them along in my everyday conversations. All words of wisdom, at least in my little world. One such saying is: "How Cool Is That?" Now, I pass that on to you.
The chances of me finding this fallen hummingbird nest was extremely slim. It blended in with the moss on the forest floor. As you know, the nests are built largely of spider silk, they expand with the growth of the babies. A spider silk cap on top to keep the eggs warm as mom forages for food. This nest was never used. No eggs, no expansion. I think it was not strongly secured to the branch and when we had a mini storm, it was dislodged. It is my treasure now.
I spend hours at the window watching 3 species of hummers at the feeder, then this moment happened. A fledgling watching, now learning, at my feeder.
Sounds. What remarkable powers they have. To hear the 'whoosh of wings' perhaps of Ravens racing directly above your head is unforgettable and revered, in particular, if there are no other sounds in competition. Nature sounds catch you off guard, they ground you, they grab your attention, they remind you that there is more to life than the bustle of our busy lives. My photographs are captured because I notice small nuance differences in my landscape, like a tiny mouse or a salamander that blends in. Sounds are, at times, difficult to track, but oh, so rewarding!
This summer, like all other summers, I walk barefoot in the house and outside. This too grounds me, I feel anchored and at peace with the seasons. We are all so busy with this and that, remember to find your anchor, and give your anchor a hug.
Speaking of the 'whoosh of wings', two of these Turkey Vultures were flying and then to my pleasure, landing on the beach below us. It was the sound of their wings that drew my attention to their presence. Come-on they are beautiful and huge, the size of an eagle.
This spring in Gibsons has been unusually damp with 10cm (4") of rainfall in one month. Deer Fern's garden are lush and magnificent. We have seen an influx of slugs this year as well. I have spent a few mornings, with my nose to the ground, scouring the grounds for slugs, almost all of them are brown, very large, about 8cm (3").
I don't consider myself a gardener, I am 'one who keeps the forest floor tidy'. And with that thought, I know my forest floor intimately. When something is out of place, it catches my eye for investigation. I credit this talent to my friend Ann. She has taught me to be observant, cherish and appreciate the small things in life, especially nature, in all forms.
No bigger than basketball, this one day old Mule Deer fawn sits on our slopped bank, hidden amongst New Zealand grass and Heavenly bamboo. The chances of seeing this are once in a lifetime. This is our second chance, two years in a row. If it wasn't for Ann and chocolate slugs, I may have never had this pleasure.
Storms are an amazing experience. They spin you through an array of emotions. The storms that drive through the night are even more mysterious, your imagination uses the storms violent sounds to draw images that may or may not exist. The storm that plowed through Gibsons, BC, this week (over 100km hour) happened during the daylight. With the power out, we nestled into the house and watched. The ocean taking deep breaths and exhaling rapidly, the trees dancing like ballerinas, shedding new growth on the forest floor. A matte of cushion, soft to the foot. After the storm we ventured for a walk, to see what damage had been done. On a trail, not far from here, a cedar tree lay horizontal, blocking the trail. The trail, seemingly, looked impassible, other hikers skirting around. We, saw an opportunity. How often can a person climb a tree? Perhaps as a child, or a lumberjack. This is 'The Path Less Traveled", climb this grand cedar with our feet firmly planted on the earth. The scent of cedar thick as smoke, branches gnarly and flexible, bouncing with our touch. Am sure that tree has been bucked up by now, but we had the chance to say hello and good-bye .
Branches that have fallen, will house much life in the years to come. This beautiful Cat-Tail Moss has taken residence on such a piece of debris.
Come Visit the Sunshine Coast of Canada,stay with us,get in touch with nature.
My Grandparents pioneered the Sunshine Coast in the 30's, the family history goes a long ways back. We have lived here, on and off, for 20+ years and full time for 7 of those. There is a peacefulness, a stillness, a West Coast blanket of comfort. This 'blanket of cozy' has taken a long time to embrace.
Everyday life-chores used to be the focus, now the choresare the 'coffee break' in time.
There has been much 'action-in-the-air' these days. Two eagles have been soaring through our forest. Yesterday a Sharp Shinned Hawk did the same, then perched on a branch. Having seen this bird a few times, I know that he has his own fly-through-diner and has been here on many occasions. You see, I toss a cup of bird seed down every day as the bird feeders get tossed down by the deer and bears. The cup of seed gets eaten every day, no waste. So far as I know, hawks do not eat bird seed. Hawks like other birds. Fat, healthy, plump, seed filled birds. Explains all the feathers strewn about this winter.
The sweet sound of rain on the roof and the gurgling of water. This is our glorious West Coast. As much as we like the sun, we love our rain. It's a never ending battle of 'weather wants'. Today, it is raining.
Our last 'road trip' was to Earls Cove. If you were to visit the Sunshine Coast, this is the end of the highway and a ferry to Powell River would be the next leg of your journey and I must say, the most picturesque ferry in BC.
On the way back we stopped at the Grasshopper Pub for lunch. A venue just off the two-lane highway, in the forest and overlooking the ocean. Cars coming and going, people walking about and this little lady, Ruffed Grouse, walking the parking lot with us. I thought to myself, 'the bird must be here all the time'. No one paid any attention to her. In the 20 years I have been on the Coast I have seen a grouse only once, and that was high up in a tree. They are not in abundance. Asking the waitress about this she asked if maybe it was a rooster. Having re-assured her it was not a rooster, she dashed outside to see.
Yes, this was not a common event. As we get older, we realize that these fleeting moments, are indeed worth taking the time to absorb, if you recognize them. Don't be in such a hurry, you might just see something that gives you copiousness amounts of gratification.
At first glance, this is a 'delete' photo. Really, trash the darn thing. Let me explain what makes it so unique.
This time of year the spiders 'go all out' with their webs. Every step you take outside, a tickle of web crosses your path. Break the thread and one hour later, they re-build hoping to snag a little lunch.
Focus on the spider and web, a little up-left of centre. At the bottom of this photo, you will see a white curved 'C'. This is a broken branch that fell during the last winds, it is about 60cm (24") long. To anchor the web the spider used a section of the house, a branch attached to a cedar tree and to keep the symmetry of the web, the final 2 anchors are attached to the broken branch. The branch was lifted off the ground as she tightened the tension.
I have seen this construction many times. A small pebble or small twigs, never a large, heavy weighted branch. It is built in a good location. That being, away from my path to the garden. This will be fun to see how long it lasts.
It's been somewhat of a dream-world this summer. Snippets of events that, individually, are beguiling. Then, when pulled together, a fanciful fable that can be told and re-told. The summer has been a whirlwind, still blowing through.
I have taken to meandering through the garden. Not only to look for creatures and see vines reaching for the clouds, but to cherish family and friends. To appreciate the global network that make our hibernacula* of life so comforting.
How appropriate that I find this Western Terrestrial Garter Snake. Also known as the Wandering Garter Snake. Yes, you guessed it, another first at Deer Fern BB. Lying on my belly for quite sometime, we looked intently at each other. As the evening sun shifted, we both slithered away. I thank this snake for being part of my network.
*underground dens shared with other snakes, even other species of snakes
Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing a new born fawn in your garden. All 'the things' you had to do that day, are now OK to do tomorrow. Then tomorrow, the fawn is still in your garden, in a new location. This goes on for 4 days. Then you think to yourself, thank-goodness for digital photography. Not only do you have 300 photographs, there is no need to leave the house and have them developed or do grocery shopping. Grocery shopping? At some point, an Innkeeper has to say to herself, "Guests? Breakfast?, you want breakfast, with all of this happening?" All my guests, that have stayed this week, have been to Deer Fern BB before. They know that this is a unique and once in a lifetime moment. Yes, I served breakfast, I'm just kidding you. Bet you didn't know that Tim Hortons delivers.
Cocoa the cat has taken to sitting in front of the computer screen, whilst we are using it. This is entirely my own doing. I thought, "Wouldn't it be cute to show her hummingbirds on You Tube". Not so. Don't try this at home. She is at one with the computer screen. She is addicted. I may have to send her to an addictions counsellor. On the other hand, our little hummers are back this spring. At the moment, 3 Rufus, darting around and bickering amongst themselves. They seem competitive, nattering for a particular feeding spot. I have found a trick to keep cocoa away from my screen, I set up you tube at my husbands computer while he is away. He can't figure out why she stands in front of his screen and I am left to type away. This just might cause some indoor bickering when he finds out.
This is an extremely unusual scene at Deer Fern Bed and Breakfast. What you are seeing is the 'Queen of Surrey', our transportation to and from the peninsula. She has been away for quite some time now, about 2 months, for an engine retro-fit. What makes this so unique is that she had been performing maneuvers for the past hour, moments before she starts her watch. The Langdale terminal and her route is not close to us and to see her come home is most certainly a treat.
The land mass behind her is Vancouver Island. We do watch the ferries go to and from the mainland (Horseshoe Bay, Tsawwassen) to Vancouver Island (Departure Bay and Duke Point).
When you come to visit the Sunshine Coast, the Queen of Surrey waits for you.
The sun sets on just about everything, except itself. We have so many phrases about the sun setting: our golden years, chapters in a life or a day and of new beginnings.
Lying at the foot of our property, a sharp-shinned hawk nestled beside the ferns. No life, no warmth in his body. There were no apparent signs of trauma, I do not know why he died. My tears for our creatures that perrish are only dried up with hopes that his offspring are in flight. May their lives be as rich as ours.
We know not enough about this life of ours. Even if we try to comprehend, it is a modest understanding. Are we obligated to unite, to touch, to experience and learn? There are no obligations. This life is a short one, it is not a re-run, it is a one time deal and it slips by terribly fast. Be yourself, not what you think you should be. That, my friends, is the hardest thing to do. That, is freedom and takes a lifetime to accomplish. It's not the clothes that makes the person, its the person who wears the clothes.
This coyote knows who she is. She was born with savvy. She is also very photogenic, now I am truly jealous. And that dress, oh how you wear it with sophistication and ease.
In early December, one journey took us to Vancouver for a Stewart McLean concert. Can you call it a concert? No, not really. It is a gathering of Steward McLean's radio family. Today CBC played that concert. The temperature is warming up and with a window ajar, and we also listened to the songs of the VariedThrush. Dozens of voices singing their hauntingly beautiful music. Listen Here. Now, imagine listening to this 30 fold, all day. Two concerts today, one inside and one outside. Take a moment to listen. This is truly a gift, the best gift I can ever give you.
With this 'Coast to Coast' blizzard, we are fortunate that we can stay on the property, no need to travel. We can enjoy everything that comes with snow and the cold. I focus on the shear beauty with my camera. The tracks of birds and animals that appear by morning are plentiful.
The night-shift workers have discovered the day shift benefits. We knew the boulder was being licked clean of bird seed each night, now we know who has a taste for granola. This mom and her two fawns have stayed for the day.
Our birds have been displaced, they come back to polish off the remnants. Role reversal.
It is Christmas day. Everyone at Deer Fern will have a hearty meal. Especially our out-door guests.
She has made a clean sweep of the exterior of the house. Any spiders that made it through the winter are now in her tummy. This nature writing gig just gets better and better. Yes, I do have a picture of the thrush. Wait for it.........
The sun sets on just about everything, except itself. We have so many phrases about the sun setting: our golden years, chapters in a life or a day and of new beginnings. 
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