Amazing Eagle Cam

Best eagle cam I have ever seen. Two chicks just hatched and Mom and Dad caring for them!


                                              http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/  

Busy Times and Good News!

Whew! it has been busy days here on the island. In February we had our first real snow of any amount and boy did it snow! For three days it came down and all we did was shovel! The nice thing about snow here is that every one helps every one else. So we had lots of company on the sidewalk and the driveway and then we moved around the neighborhood helping other people shovel theirs. Community ! I love it! 

We also saw our first herring run and was it something to see! The run lasts only for a week or so, but it brings with it hundreds of birds, sea lions, seals, blue herons  and of course my favorite...eagles. 

I had never seen so many sea gulls and eagles in one spot in my entire life! I was mesmerized by them.

To see so many of these huge birds in the air at one time all scouring the water for fish was just beautiful. It also made me realize just how many fish must be out there as these big birds need a lot of food to survive and to have so many in one spot means there is a lot of food around. 

We also had some really good news at the end of January. As most of you know I have been struggling with metastatic breast cancer for the last four years.  In the late fall of 2013 I was having some problems with my lungs and so my oncologist decided it was time to do a full CT scan of my body and look for signs of metastasis. I am very happy to say that they can find  no  visible indication of any cancerous tumors anywhere in my body at this time and I am hopeful they never will.  I have another eight months of cancer treatment and then I should be able to have only once yearly check ups. The problem with my lungs turned out to be some damage done with the radiation which has increased my sensitivity to my environment. Here in the valley many people burn wood fireplaces and stoves including ourselves. However we have now installed a heat pump and new gas furnace along with an air purifier and that seems to have taken care of the problem. 

Spring is arriving and signs of that are everywhere here on the island. the flowers are popping up and the grass is getting greener and longer. Unfortunately so are the weeds!! I have been spending some time out in the flower beds this week plucking weeds and there does not seem to be any end to them. 

We have had a lot of company since January and in fact have company coming every month till the end of June. People love to get a tour of the island one of their favorite places is the barge with the sea lions in Fanny Bay. Their barking can be heard long before you get out of your car and make your way down the dock. For some reason every one , including myself, love to watch the antics of these  clowns of the ocean. Fanny Bay is famous for it's oysters and I always try to get a large carton and have an oyster fry for people. Nothing like the taste of fresh oysters. 

Fred and I have also done some exploring on our own and discovered a beautiful gem just outside of Bowser. It is a place called Deep Bay and the view of the mountains and water is just lovely. 

And if all of this is not enough to keep us happy and busy there is always deer watching.

Trumpeter Swans in the Fog

Two weeks ago the Valley was covered in sea fog for about three days. It was lovely, but difficult to take photos . A friend of ours came from the mainland to stay with us for the weekend and as he and I love to take photos we spent almost all our time trying to get some clear shots. I think he did much better than I, but here are the Trumpeter swans on the estuary.

Camera Shy Merganser

Salmon Point

Salmon Point

We have had several days of hard rain here on the island. It is the most I have seen since I arrived here July 24th. Finally the ski hill on Mt. Washington, a half hour away,  has enough snow to open for the season, but I don't ski so that is not a comfort for me.  
On Saturday I was tired of puttering around the house waiting for the rain to let up and decided to just go to the beach anyhow. After all Miss Lucy loves the beach rain, snow or wind and she was missing her beach time. We usually go to Point Holmes, but I decided that I would leave early and drive about 25 minutes farther north  to a place called  Salmon Point. It is a very exposed stretch of beach with few people around at this time of year. By the time we got there the rain and wind had ceased and the temperature was fairly warm. As we started down the beach I was shocked by how much driftwood had piled up from the storms that had gone through during the last few days. Then as I looked around I was delighted to find that those strong currents had also brought heaps and I do mean HEAPS of the shells that I love to collect and polish. Where the usual shell collection on a normal day is a couple of handfuls this is what we collected on this beach walk!

A basket full!!
 It turned out to be a great walk and a beautiful night there.

The more time I spend on this island the more I realize it is a little piece of paradise and I thank the universe for placing me in this lovely spot.

Seven Sacred Virtues

   Trumpeter Swan on the Estuary

Well it is another year again. Every year I am amazed how fast the previous year seems to have gone and I always ask myself what I have learned from the year or what I contributed to the year.
This past  year I learned that I need to have a great deal more patience with things. I tend to want to see change quickly and get frustrated when I do not. This year I plan to try and enjoy the waiting as much as the accomplishing... tall order.
As for my contribution....really not sure that I contributed a whole lot this year other than elbow grease, but sometimes that is what is needed.
This past week we attended a talk at the I-Hos native band hall in Comox. Here in the valley, I sense that  the Komoks band contributes and influences a great deal that happens in the Valley. I had met a few people who work at the gallery and was impressed so when the opportunity arose hear about The Seven Sacred Virtues Anishnabe Bimaadiziwin - The Good Life  from an elder  I was delighted and I was not disappointed.
It was a nice to start the year thinking about these virtues and I thought that it was something of value to share with you  for the beginning of the new year. It sparked for me some reflection on my life and how I would like to live it. I hope that it sparks some inner reflection for you as well.

We begin in the East- Humility - Dibaadeniaowin Eagle Migisi 

Look to the Rising Sun each day and feel the power of Creation and the Great Mystery. Accept that you are part of this circle and be of service to humanity and all of creation.

In the South we have Honesty- Gwekowaadiziwin Deer Wawashkeshshii

Look at yourself and accept the gifts that have been placed within you. Understand that this life is but one part of your journey

In the West we have Respect - Manaaditowanim Bear Makawa

When we awaken each morning we practice respect by acknowledging our safe passage through the night and that our life is a gift. We are grateful to all living things for the sacrifices they make to give us our life.

In the North we have Wisdom Nibwaakaawin Buffalo Muskadayn Bishikee 

We practice courage by learning from the many teachers that come into our lives. As we learn we arrive at a place of inner courage to heal all that is within us. 

We journey to Father Sky Courage Aakodewim Hummingbird Nenookaasi 

As we look to the stars we can begin to practice wisdom when we accept that our ancestors have come before us and that they walk with us in every way. 

We look to Mother Earth Truth Debwewin Turtle Mikwaadesii 

We look to Mother Earth and she represents truth. Through her purity of being and the endless energy and renewal she provides to us. 

We look to the centre and we find Love Zaagidiwin Wolf Maeegun 

When we love ourselves we find the good life. Then we can extend that love outwards like a golden thread that brings together all of the sacred teachings into a sacred circle to guide our life. 

 Trumpeter Swan on the Estuary

Comox Harbour

Just for you Lorelei!

Blogging... what's it all about?

Really.... can not believe that it has been two years since I last posted on my blog. I can not say that I have missed nor can I say I have not missed it. It is something that I would think about now and then and realize that I liked keep up this blog, but never found a spare hour that I wanted to spend creating a post for it. Then again after two years ... who really cares what is up here or not right?

So this past fall and winter I suddenly began to think that I missed it and I really needed to figure out why I missed it. I still keep in touch in other ways with many of the people I kept up with on here. I post on Facebook and pin on Pinterest .. so what was it I was missing about. I soon realized that my blog was not about keeping in touch or doing some thing for other people it was about keeping in touch with myself and doing some thing that I enjoy just for me. That is why I originally started the postings  so.... here I am back to writing posts. I won't promise myself that I will post every day or every week, but I will keep in touch with myself and do something I like every now and then through out 2014.

A few changes have occurred in my life since I last blogged. We, Fred and I moved to Courtenay BC on Vancouver Island officially in July, but unfortunately Fred still had work to complete so was unable to move till 2014. I spent most of the summer, along with my eldest daughter who spent six weeks with me, learning  my way around the Comox Valley  and cleaning up a house that was left in very bad condition by our tenants.   I put in many hours scrubbing and repairing things as well as cleaning up the garden in front.  By October I had a pretty good handle on things till I started on the weed and bramble jungle in the back yard.... that is still on going despite eight weeks of hauling 7-9 large bins of garden waste to the curbside for the garbage men.
In spite of the work I found time to discover and explore many beaches trails, rivers and lakes in the area and became a devout islander. I can not imagine living anywhere else. It is so beautiful and peaceful and we have some of the most friendly helpful neighbors I have ever met in my life! 

It is some of that beauty and island living that I hope to be able to record here on this blog for me once again.

Auld Lang Syne by Sissel

Like you have never heard before!

Happy New Year to all! 

I found this video and thought it the most beautiful New Year video I have ever seen. I wanted to share it so everyone could start the new year with a little beauty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x91rBzNKvlci

Maya Angelou

Some days everyone just needs a little inspiration to make the day go just a little better. Today I found inspiration in these things that Maya Angelou had to say and I added a little of my own inspiration at the bottom. 

Hope  this brightens your day - it did mine!

 'I've learned that no matter what  happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on,  and it will be better tomorrow.' 

  'I've  learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the  way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day,  lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree  lights.' 

  'I've learned that regardless of  your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them  when they're gone from your  life.' 

  'I've  learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing  as making a life.' 

  'I've learned that  life sometimes gives you a second  chance.' 

  'I've learned that you shouldn't  go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands;  you need to be able to throw some things  back...' 

'I've learned that whenever I  decide something with an open heart, I usually make  the right decision.' 

  'I've learned that  even when I have pains, I don't have to be  one.' 

'I've learned that every day you  should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm  hug, or just a friendly pat on the  back....' 

 'I've learned that I still have  a lot to learn..' 

 'I've learned that  people will forget what you said, people will forget  what you did, but people will never forget how you  made them feel.' 

Saying Goodbye to a Great Human Being

Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, the official opposition passed away early Monday morning from cancer.

Few times in my life have I felt great sadness at the loss of a public figure.  JFK, Martin Luther King are among those I have mourned.  Now Jack Layton joins that list. All these people were robbed of their lives before their time. Two of them taken by human hands and one of them robbed of life by a terrible disease that does not discriminate between rich or poor, good or bad.

I met Jack on several occasions. The most memorable for me was the year I was a photographer for the NDP at the Vancouver Pride Parade.  When Jack arrived in the area everyone got excited. Jack would walk through the line up of waiting parade participants chatting with everyone and having his picture taken over and over again with many of them. He treated everyone equally. No matter if you were the prime minister or an ordinary 'Joe' . He took the time to listen and get to know you.He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. His optimism was infectious. As Jack's car drove the parade route people called his name, clapped and ran up to the car to hug him. He had a charisma that the crowd sensed. Every one  felt that Jack was one of them. And indeed he was.

The news papers tell us the Prime Minister has agreed to have a state funeral for Jack. This is rarely done except for sitting or past  Prime Ministers and royalty.  It is a sign of greatness, but Jack does not need a state funeral to tell Canadians that fact. Anyone who ever met Jack or was in his presence for any length of time knew they were in the presence of a great human being. A great Canadian and a good man. A man who never tired of fighting for social justice and a better life for all Canadians.

Jack penned a letter that included words of wisdom to  everyone just days before his death.  He urged Canadians for remember that Canada is a great country, but also said we can be a better one.  However I was especially moved by his words to fellow cancer survivors such as myself.   He urged us to not be discouraged because treatment had not worked for him. Instead he urged usto remain "optimistic, determined, and focused on the future".  He also advised us to "cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey".

Finally he had this to say:

"My friend, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic.  And we'll change the world."

Thank you Jack for all that you have given to this country.
 

May your spirit be eternally at peace.

 

The entire letter can be read here Jack Layton letter.

Don't Laugh....

you should see what YOU look like to me!!!

Sharing this Planet with the Wild Life

We live in one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada. We are famous for our wilderness and wild life. We have set aside thousands of acres of land to preserve this wilderness and the animals that live in them.

This weekend a man, his wife and dog took a walk at a residential area that borders  Buntzen Lake . A wonderful area that I have been hiking for many years with Miss Lucy. The hiker encountered a mother bear and her three cubs. According to news paper accounts the man, in his panic to get away,  ran inadvertently in the direction of the cubs which were up a tree. The bear doing what mother nature intended her to do charged after the man to protect her cubs. She smacked him in warning, the man fell striking his head on a rock. When the man thought it was safe he grabbed his dog to leave, but his dog went after the bear again. A truck came along and the driver seeing what was happening honked his horn scaring the bear off.

The man was taken to hospital and treated for superficial wounds. In other words the bear was only warning him and not intent to kill him. The RCMP were called to the scene. They decided that the mother bear should be shot leaving three orphaned cubs.  The cubs have been taken to a wildlife center to be raised and released sometime next spring.

Many people are angry that this bear was shot and for just reasons. While the conservation officers justify the killing by  saying  that the bear was known to them. That the bear had been getting into garbage and the bear had been relocated once before, but had returned.

To my knowledge bears have been frequent visitors to Buntzen Lake trails forever. I know personally that every year I have hiked there I have seen signs warning of the bears in the area and I have seen bear scat on the trails.  In my opinion this bear was no different than any of the others. The fact that it got into garbage is the fault of people in the area not using bear secure garbage containers not the fault of the bears that eat the garbage. Maybe we should shoot the residents in the area? It would seem more justified to me.

Bears have taken a beating this year. There have been over thirty bears shot in the province and I don't think the flimsy reasons we have been given justify it. I think maybe we should examine the fact that the government has cut back so far on funding that there are few wild life conservation officers left in the province to help educate  people about living peaceably with the other residents of this planet. 

In my opinion the bears are not the problem. People are the problem.

Lazy Summer Days

Finally we have some sunshine and warm summer days here in the lower mainland. I have been taking advantage of them by spending a lot of time out doors playing with Miss Lucy and snapping pictures of other creatures out enjoying the sunshine as well.
I captured this guy, on a late morning walk at Deer Lake  just dozing in the sunshine.

In Honour of Pride Week - Why Can't You Own A Canadian?

 HAPPY PRIDE WEEK

Show your colors Vancouver! 

This is Pride Week in Vancouver and in my opinion this is one of the best celebrations that we have here.  Not only is it a lot of fun, but it brings together such a diverse group of people all co-operating and having a lot of fun without a lot of trouble.
Every year my partner and I participate in the parade. I take lots of pictures and usually post them on here and my flickr page so everyone can share  a bit of the fun. Unfortunately this year we are unable to go to the parade. We have a wedding for a close friend to attend.  However, this piece was sent to me the other day.I have no idea where the original post came from but "thank you " to whoever posted this.  It gave me a chuckle. In honor of Pride Week and because listening to Dr. Laura makes me retch I have reprinted this for your amusement.

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a US man, and posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative: Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of that debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. 4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? 7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan. James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia PS: It would be a @#$% shame if we couldn't own a Canadian

Hayward Lake

We have given up on Kilby this year. The bad weather, high tide and mosquitoes  have forced us to check out some of the other lakes and possible swimming holes for our dear Miss Lucy.  We decided to check out Stave Lake  and stumbled upon Hayward Lake instead. It was a gem of  a find.
There are lots of trails for hiking, nicely kept picnicking area and sandy beach for swimming, but best of all was the dog off leash swimming area. Miss Lucy thought she was in heaven. The water was clean and clear and there were few other dogs around to crowd her style.

For me it was time to take out the new lens that I got for my birthday and try it out. While snapping pictures at the dog park I heard that very familiar cry of my favorite bird, the eagle,  and managed to get some really nice shots before he took off for the the other side of the lake.

It was  a really nice day and I got very lucky to get these shots of this magnificent bird. I am always awed by the beautiful kings of the sky!

A Walk Among the Tree Tops

My daughter Alana (she has forbidden me to publish her picture)  is on holidays right now and as it was my birthday on Friday she decided that we should do some vacationy type things.  I agreed to the plan and the first place we went was to Capilano Suspension Bridge in West Vancouver.

This was a place that we had been to when she was a child, but has really evolved. When we were last there all there was were trails through the woods and the suspension bridge. Now there is a cliff walk, and tree top walks and seven suspension bridges. It was a lot of fun and a very enjoyable day.

Later we drove to the Cleveland Dam and sat for awhile at this very beautiful spot as well.

We finished the day with dinner at the Boat House.

What a treat!! 

Unusual Summer

It is hard to tell if it is summer here on the west coast or early spring. We have had very little sunshine and lots of cold rain. 

This week we drove to Kilby where we always take Lucy to swim in the summer.  Although it looks like a lake Kilby is actually where the Fraser River and the Harrision River meet.   Usually at this time of year we take our beach chairs and sit out there for the whole day  letting her play all she wants, but this year is a very different matter. 

This is a picture of what Kilby usually looks like at this time of year.
Here is what we encountered this week.

The wind was blowing and the water was much higher than I had seen it. I am wearing two hoodies and I was still cold.

While I do not want it to be really hot I would like it to be at least short sleeve weather!

To My Friends South of the Border

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Belated (not my fault) Canada Day!

Yes - Happy Canada Day one day late. I had this wonderful creative post with all kinds of links and fun things for the day and you would have loved it!! (Really, honestly I know you don't believe me but would I lie about a thing like that?)But alas - Like many people in the lower mainland our Canada Day gift from Telus was no internet!

We did not let it stop us from celebrating and of course we celebrated it with our beloved Canadians Baseball team. I went prepared to give my full attention to every minute of the game so that I could be properly let down when they lost as they seem to do every year on Canada Day. 

I ask myself why they cannot win a home game on Canada Day - to me it is the patriotic thing to do. We sang our national anthem loudly. We cheered like they were the world's greatest heroes. We did the chicken dance and sang Take Me Out To the Ball Game with gusto... but still they lost miserably.

Maybe they can use these pictures to practice up for next year.

Keep your eye on the ball...here it comes - get ready to swing!

 I said SWING!!!