Frozen Lake

-8°C and sunny this morning

Eagle's Nest

Seasonal Changes

skim of ice on the water
reflection of bare branches

A Chance Sighting

It happened that, one day, when I was at the bridge an otter came out of the water onto the ice a safe distance away.  The otter was instantly alert, but he remained there for several minutes before slipping back into the water.  I waited for a bit and then out he came again into the sunshine.   

A Beautiful Springlike Day in the Central Interior of British Columbia

An immature Bald Eagle perches in a tall poplar tree.

It takes four or five years before a Bald Eagle acquires the characteristic adult plumage.

The lake is slowly opening up...sunlight sparkles on the water.

Sky Watch Friday

Foamy Windrows

It's not sudsy detergent, but a natural phenomenon that occurs when the water is churned up in windy conditions. And we've certainly had some terrific winds lately, a prelude to October weather. The airy foam deposits consist of oxygenated water and organic matter. There was no real smell to it that we noticed so we're assuming it isn't pollution.

Watery Wednesday

Central Interior Lake

Viewpoint at Stuart Lake, Fort St. James, B.C. - 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Prince George, B.C. on Highway 27.

This is the site of the Frank Russell Baker Memorial.

Russ Baker (1910-1958) was a well known and respected bush pilot.

"Baker flew his Fox Moths and ancient Junkers through the angry ocean of peaks that sprawl across the midriff of British Columbia."

He went on to form his own company, Central B.C. Airways (Fort St. James) which later became Pacific Western Airlines (PWA). PWA was one of the original four airlines that amalgamated in 1987 to become Canadian Airlines International Ltd. (Canada's second major airline at that time).

The Lake

One week ago, Sunday

It was overcast when I stopped at the public access road to take a picture of the lake which had turned milky white from the freezing action. I noticed that someone else had been here testing the ice by throwing a couple of small rocks onto it. They didn't break the surface, but it is by no means safe to go out onto the ice yet.

This photo was taken from the bridge at the river channel. It is always the last bit of the lake to freeze.

There are still a few floating waterlily leaves in the water by the bridge. This stream stays open well into the winter, and it is where we can usually find the Bald Eagle perched looking for his or her supper.

Since taking these photos we have had some milder weather and rain as well. When we drove past the lake yesterday, there were puddles of water everywhere on the surface of the now glassy thin ice.

Lake Scene

This picture was taken in the early afternoon of a cloudy day. It was eerie and beautiful when I arrived at the lake, the island and distant hills shrouded in mist.

My World - British Columbia, Canada

My World Tuesday (Mondays, 8 pm GMT) is a wonderful new meme created by Klaus in Florida and hosted by Klaus, Tom, Sandy, Imac, Ivar, Wren and Fishing Guy. Thank you for all your efforts in helping to bring the world closer together.

Both my husband and I grew up and lived in large cities, but about thirty-two years ago we had an opportunity to move to a rural area in the interior of B.C. At first we lived conveniently in the town, but eventually we purchased a small property in the country 15km (9 miles) away, cleared some land, built our house and raised two children. The children have grown up, we have become grandparents, and we still live quite happily here with one friendly dog.

Today I thought I would take you to the access road for the public boat launch and show you the view of the lake. It's not far from us, just down the road a piece. The days are much cooler now, and we are beginning to use the fireplace again to make it cozier in the house. On this particular morning, it is about 7C (44.6F), somewhat cloudy and very quiet on the lake.

It's nice to see the Trumpeter Swans again. The last time I saw them was in the spring when they were on their way north. Unfortunately, these swans are way off in the distance today, and all we see of them are their white shapes.

Although it's not a very big lake, it supports two or more Bald Eagles, year round, as well as Osprey and several other bird species which are here during the summer.

You can just see the roof and chimney of our house at the top of the hill. (you may have to click on the image to see it)

Oh look! Over there near the opposite shore are two more swans feeding in the shallow water.

The beavers have been hard at work along the access road recently.

I would love to see them hauling away the timber they cut.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the lake, and I look forward to stopping by your place very soon.

Sky Watch - Clouds and Lake Reflections

"The sky is the daily bread of the eyes."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sky Watch participants
Hosted by Tom, Sandy, Klaus and Imac

Pelicans

(please click on pictures for better viewing)

American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
on a submerged log

This is the large white bird we saw on Sunday. It was such a nice surprise, so unexpected, to come upon these wonderful, sedate birds on a calm interior lake - no one else around, just us and the birds. Well, the black flies were here also, but they couldn't spoil the moment.

Unlike the Brown Pelican, which dives for fish, the White Pelican scoops up the fish from a shallow part of the lake. Their breeding territories range from central to western North America.

Bald Eagle

I think this week my posts are going to be mainly about birds. Yesterday, we were very fortunate to observe some large raptors, as well as the Ospreys and also what I'm referring to now as "the surprise bird", just because my husband and I were astounded at finding such an unlikely bird here. But, the first sighting was the Bald Eagle.

This Bald Eagle was looking a bit bedraggled perched in his usual high spot that overlooks the lake. The only explanation I can think of is that he had grazed the water with his wings when he was fishing and got a little too wet. And here he sat drying off.

Apparently, if an eagle has gotten hold of a larger fish and won't let go, he can be pulled down into the water. Although the eagle will use his large wings to swim should he get into trouble, he could easily drown if he can't get back to land quickly. In cold waters, he would soon perish from hypothermia. Source: American Bald Eagle Information

He must have been all right because when we returned this way, he was gone.

Spring Melt

Rivers and Lakes are high
at this time of year.

Nechako River

Another view of the Nechako

A small lake near our home

has become very muddy looking.
It has spilled over and caused
some flooding in low lying areas.

Wooded Island

Interior Lake

The Lake Isle of Innisfree

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all aglimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

~William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), The Rose 1893

Photo Credit: Mindaugas Urbonas
granted me permission to use his Linnet photo

A Very Pleasant Afternoon

We couldn't have asked for a nicer May 1st. So sunny and warm yesterday. Afternoon Temperature: 14C

This small interior lake has opened up considerably. We've had some cool temperatures recently and also another dusting of snow, but the warmer days and a strong sun have really melted the ice. I saw my first Common Loon of the year in a narrow stretch of water between the shore and the existing ice layer. However, just as I focused my camera, the wary Loon dove underwater, and all I have for a picture is a few bubbles. Later, I enjoyed hearing his haunting call.

The sap is risingAnd this poor Poplar tree

is weeping from all its wounds.
Several more poplars in the same vicinity
were similarly affected.

So many nicks and gashes

~~~~

As I walked I caught a tiny movement at the side of the road in the ditch area where there were some shallow pools from the snow melt. A nice sun-sparkled spot. The sparrow became aware of me and hid behind a bush staying very still at first. Minutes later, instead of flying away the sparrow darted away into the grass. This is one of the characteristics of this species - they are "able runners".

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

(yellow eyebrow, pale yellow crown stripe)

~~~~

I'm fairly certain that this is a Red-breasted Sapsucker. If it is - Wow! Summer breeding range extends a little into B.C.'s interior, but this bird is more common along the coast. From my National Geographic Society Field Guide to The Birds of North America: "These woodpeckers drill evenly spaced rows of holes in trees, then visit these wells for sap and the insects it attracts." Our beautiful *Rufous Hummingbird is closely connected to this Sapsucker, as one of the hummingbird's food sources is sap, and they will nest near the holes that the Sapsucker has made. (please click on picture to enlarge)

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus ruber

(red head, nape and breast, white stripe across bill)

*The hummingbird feeders will be hung up today as they'll be here any time now.

~~~~

Sweet and Small

Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus

Smallest of the mergansers in North America

(please click on pictures to enlarge)

Male, in his breeding plumage
with his white crest raised.

The Hooded Mergansers are a fish-eating duck
and find the fish by sight when they dive
underwater. They also eat frogs, newts, tadpoles
and aquatic insects.

They will most likely remain
here for the summer preferring
small, calm wooded lakes
or beaver ponds for breeding.

Mr. and Mrs. Merganser

They have a wonderful courtship ritual,
primarily performed by the male,
which includes crest raising, head-shaking,
head-pumping and short flight displays.
In the northern latitudes,
they begin nesting in early April to early May
and make their nests in tree hollows or nest boxes
lined with downy feathers from the
belly of the female.