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/