Rain

Coyotes and Bears 

Mon Aug 13 - Wed Aug 15

Looking across to what we think is Mt Windsor

There is a saying in Manchester if you can't see the Pennines it's raining, if you can see them it's going to rain.  It is about to get like that here.  

Small falls on Roberts Creek in Cliff Gilker Park
This morning's red sky sunrise proceeded the rain alert from Gov.Ca for Thursday through to Friday and should have been sufficient warning.  It was the most vivid red sky I think I've ever seen.  In fact the incoming frontal system is bringing rain through to Tuesday.  We'll know if we can't see the mainland mountains it's raining, and if we can it's going to rain.

The good news is that it will give the parched forests a much needed drenching. More importantly it is forecast to fall as snow above 1400m in Whistler.  I wonder if the mountain opposite us (Mt Windsor?)  will see snow before the residual patch from last winter final melts.  It's been holding out for much longer than I predicted.

We've noticed while out on our local walks that the creeks are beginning to run higher than at the end of the long dry period.  All this water and there is still a dire shortage on the Coast.  Gibsons, which is well fed from aquifers is now supplying water to Sechelt whose main supply from Chapman Lake is due to last only until November without substantial rain.  I am unclear why water remains the responsibility of local town councils, rather than the Sunshine Coast Regional District.  Sechelt is much criticized for years of water mismanagement and not least a focus on installing meters, rather than attending to leaks and increasing water sources.  It's not as if they don't have enough.  Underinvestment, lack of clear strategy and political volley ball is variously blamed for the problems the central Coast has.

I have done a couple of walks around Cliff Gilker Park this week, exploring new trails and extending the walk.  I had a surprise one morning as I turned a corner and saw a bear standing on its hind legs looking at me, until I realized it was a tree stump with a mossy bear's head!  Heart skipped a beat for a moment!

Driving the 101 Highway to Sechelt, I nearly ran down a very healthy looking Coyote trying to cross the road.  He disappeared into the undergrowth before I could get a picture.  

There are notices up around Cliff Gilker to be aware of Coyotes as a pack are known to be in the area.  In Stanley Park, they have started a cull of coyotes because they have attacked walkers.  It's reported that problem has arisen because a few locals have taken to feeding them.  

I also missed getting a picture of the Black Bear that has been down on Hopkins Landing Beach.

There was no doubt one had been there.  I caught up with a local acquaintance while walking down to the beach with his huge Rhodesian Ridgeback which disappeared under the pier clearly having picked up the scent.  I only realized what it was when I saw the prints on the way back.  Today Fred spotted bear prints in the sand too, but this time with large and small bear prints alongside, so the mother bear is still around with her cub... distinct paw prints with elongated claw toes at the front.

The other unusual sight on Hopkins Landing this week was the rear quarter of a seal.  Perhaps breakfast for the local Orca which are in the area.  I'll spare you the picture!

The Coast has numerous small holdings that sell seasonable fruit, vegetables, eggs and other produce
either from the farm gate or at local markets.  We swung by a Wednesday afternoon market at Roberts Creek today that also had one stall selling 'Shrub' and another foraged mushrooms.   We bought both, plus some New Zealand Spinach (which isn't a spinach).

The Shrub, in this case is a drinking vinegar which is a mix of vinegar and fruit syrup, rather than something you plant in the garden.   Good health properties apparently ranging from digestive to blood cleansing to weight loss - the name originates from the word Sharbah in ancient North Africa. 

It is rather tasty.  As for the NZ Spinach, we'll keep you posted.


Since we arrived on the Coast I've acquired video of one of falls on Roberts Creek in Ciff Gilker Park.

It's interesting how water levels have changed from May when there was a lot of water, to mid summer when it had dropped to a trickle today.


May



August





September



 



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