Another Day

Another Bear & Full-On Day

Fri Jun 18th 

Common Loon - backlit by morning sun
Well Nick is here!  

The Common Loon has evaded my camera until now and though 'common',  is an amazingly attractive bird.  Ideal for a Black and White TV test card of yesteryear (for those old enough to remember).  This was taken on my morning walk with Jack who stood on the dock, initially growling and then barking in frustration, unprepared to jump off and give chase!  Some gun dog!

Back at the house and about to start a cup of coffee, Nick surfaced and announced he was going for a swim (despite the dentist's advice not to do so until 3 days after all his wisdom teeth were removed), and was I coming.  Fellow dads will understand, when such a challenge is issued by a son, you don't decline!  So we went off for a 100m swim in Mixal. Quite refreshing after breathing returned and once the shock of the initial submersion wore off!

Nick finished work at one o'clock so in the afternoon we headed off for a hike and recommended the climb to the view-point above Ruby Lake, one of the best views on the Sunshine Coast, we are told.   For a 125m climb it is stunning.


On the way back down Nick piped up with 'can you see the bear up the slope'.  We paused, drew breath and looked up the mountain-side.  Another Black Bear this time about 75m up the slope.  Rather than keep a low profile, Nick 'whooped and clapped' assuring us it was better the bear knew where we were; it wasn't an advert for a late bear lunch.  It seemed to work as it remained focussed on foraging on the mountainside rather than head in our direction.  It was not fully gown, perhaps a couple of years old and with the smaller ears relative to the head size was probably a male. We will never know for sure as looking between the rear legs of a bear to check the sex is not recommended!  

This time the bear-banger was loaded and to hand should we have needed it.

A few pics below.





   
After the excitement of seeing a second bear within the space of a week, we headed back down to Ruby Lake where a rare Grey Dipper was spotted swimming with Jack - cooling off after the climb to the viewpoint!

Not content with the latest 'hill-climb' we headed back to Mixal Lake for more swimming and a chance for me to try standing on a paddle board.  The rare Grey Dipper was spotted again!  

A bit wobbly at first, not helped by Jack trying to get on board, but two circuits of the immediate area were completed.  To Nick's (and probably Zac Steel's) frustration,  I managed to do it without falling off!

It's rather fun!









As i sit on the deck finishing the blog for the day, glass of wine in hand, a Black Tailed deer wanders in to the garden, ten metres from where I am sitting.  Jack continues to slumber at my side!




 
  



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