Thursday, June 30, 2011

Canada Day at The Vermilon River. A Post to Sky Watch Friday

Clouds

I think the weather here has been similar to everywhere else, a mixture of rain and some sun. I've hiked in between the weather because that's what you do if you want to get out. When I've been in the forest the bugs are heavy and as I said before, you don't get as far in netting, gloves, and heavy clothing. But the birds feed on the insects and migrate here for the protein rich diet. And I spend my time photographing them, the four legged creatures and the wildflowers so I'm dependent on the bugs too. I think it's called the balance of nature or in more up to date terms, biodiversity.

Cotton Candy Clouds


Northern Loon.



I wanted to do a post that was essentially Canadian as I'm very ambivalent to Canada Day, which here is a day for posting plastic flags made in China, getting drunk, and driving, and having a BBQ, which since you're toasted is usually a waste of expensive meat.

The kids follow the parents example, and there will be some traffic, and water deaths this weekend.

Northern Loon.


Great Blue Heron In Flight.





I can think of nothing more Canadian than the Northern Loon, a Great Blue Heron in flight over a wetland or lake , beaver in a pond or lake; and wild as opposed to urbanized Canada Geese.

Beaver


Beaver.


Beaver.


Canada Geese.



Blue Flags, or wild iris, if you will, dot the wetlands. This particular grouping are in a boggy stretch just in front of the area where the loon was. Step in to get some, and I will probably need Boomer's help and a rope to get you out.
A Wetland of Blue Flags


Close Up Blue Flag.


Wild Lupin




The lupin grow in dryer areas in clearings, but are as prolific as the the Blue Flags. I've only put a few of the wildflowers in this post as some I've shown earlier and some I'll post later.

Patch of Wild Lupin.


Tree Swallow.


I just put the Tree Swallow in because I like him, I don't think he is especially Canadian.

My idea of Canada then is an open wilderness that is fascinating in its complexity, and is the major part of our national character. This I think is a disappearing idea at a time that our people need it the most.

I'll bet you thought that I was working up to something else. Well you're right.

The Vermilon which has been in flood because of heavy rains claimed the life of a teenager this week. He went in and drowned, and the police rescue divers recovered his body yesterday.

It's tragic and there is a hue and cry for schools here to teach as part of the curriculum survival in flowing water. I've pointed out in this blog several times that this is not a park, but is a wilderness, and is a dangerous wildness where care is to be used at all times.
 But I think this is about responsible parenting. Home is the place to teach about the dangers of the river and the forest, with the schools possibly supporting it. And not just a quick talk, but with hikes, canoe trips, not ATV rides through the forest.
The Vermilon, and Junction Creek, the Vermilon's alter ego, in the City of Valley of Death have accounted for about 22 such deaths over a short period. If you want the schools to teach wilderness and flowing water safety then you're going to have to extend the school day,as well as the year, and have the parents pay for it directly. After all the reason the parents are not doing it, is they're not home, but working to buy more luxury items like ATVs, boats and snowmobiles.



A Post to Sky Watch Friday @ http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to Camera Critters @ http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/ and to Scenic Sunday @ http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/  

46 comments:

  1. Gary, you have, as usual, posted lots of beautiful pictures of places that most of us can only dream about. And, I think your are very right that kids today need to be taught about how to get along in the natural world. You can't learn it in front of a computer, or a video game. And, you're right again that you can't even learn from the back of an ATV. But, how to teach these things, when the parents, themselves, don't even know how to get along in wild areas? How do we begin the re-education process?

    ReplyDelete
  2. i'm sorry to hear about the tragedy. as you said, many holidays like your Canada Day and our 4th of July celebrations can become dangerous times on the lakes as folks mix partying with boating, swimming, etc.

    love those beavers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh so sorry to hear that someone lost his life.

    Americans celebrate the 4th the same way you do the 1st of July.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amen to all that. There is just not enough respect for the land and water.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the loon and beaver. You described our 4th of July as well. Someone usually gets hurt. Sad story.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful shots. Love the colorful birds and flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Gary,

    A great tribute to Canadian wildlife. It's unfortunate but true as to "how" so many Canadians "celebrate" Canada Day. I think a lot of the problems arise because so many of us have to live the urban lifestyle. It's hard to be in touch with nature when the municipalities are destroying it all.

    Although our family is urban, we take time on Canada Day,(as well as many other days), to help clean up our local ponds and wetland areas. They support the urbanized geese and other wildlife that may not otherwise be even see by kids in the city.

    Any loss of a young life is a tragedy, whether it be in the waters of Canadian wilderness or the streets of an urban centre. Education by parents and schools is paramount for the survival of our future generation. I often wonder who is going to step up to the plate and take that responsibility.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Northern Loon is extremely beautiful and the Beaver is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such lovely flowers - so lush. And I like that dramatic cloud shot.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gary, you got some beautiful views of the beavers, the flying heron and the loon. The flowers are spectecular!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love those clouds!!! Great shot of the blue heron in flight, and the lupine are always so pretty. Have a lovely weekend. Mickie :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your pictures beautifully illustrate the natural appeal of Canada. Celebrating in nature is a wonderful thing if it is respected and the dangers fully understood.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think that I'll answer all that in a blog post. Louise.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the beaver comment texwisgirl.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I read the term respect as twofold-the danger and the need to conserve it, Lesley.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Agreed Dina, but it goes on and that is the problem.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ultimately Karen you and I. Not the politicos or the rednecks, or even the civil servants.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes the weather is similar over here, sun and 19°C yesterday and rain and 9°C today... Changing all the time... Wow your common loon shots are wonderful!!! and the ebavers my! I'd love to see one... It seems that we have a small population of them in the Rhone river in France but I've never seen them there!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great critters and photos. It is a shame that the teenagers now a days think that nothing will ever happen to them. Some of them learn the hard way. Great post and Happy Canada Day.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great photos as always!
    Love them all.
    I think the Northern Loon is a beauty too.
    Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful photos. My first time to see Northern Loon. I also love the clouds. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Just beautiful post! Lovely nature and birds.
    Happy weekend and Canada Day:-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. the Loon is very beautiful. Great shots.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a collection of wildlife shots! Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My favorite is the second picture of the beaver! You really captured his face well and everything!

    Living So Abundantly: New meme coming this Thursday, July 7, 2011, Give Back Thursday--come join the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  26. oh my! phenomenal shots...thanks for dropping by my entry @ http://www.explorerminded.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a lovely group of images. So very nice! :)) Happy Canada Day a little late. I haven't been able to see blogs until today when I get enough band width on a shore connection.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think European beavers are smaller Chris.

    ReplyDelete
  29. All the wildlife was in the one body of water Hilke. Lucky eh?

    ReplyDelete