Winter!

For almost a week it snowed on and off until we had eight new inches on the ground.

snow at Ginty Creek

I tramped my trails with snowshoes again to break them open.

fence at Ginty Creek

I was already having some difficulty getting my van out to Highway 20 so there was nothing for it but to have my 4 kms of road ploughed.  The operator’s dogs were running free behind the tractor so there was all sorts of canine excitement when they arrived.

ploughing my road at Ginty Creek

There had been quite a lot of bare ground beneath the trees, but now the birds could not find food and they were very busy at the feeder.  I still have about 15 redpolls (only some have the red breast.)

Periodically, I have found clumps of small feathers on the snow, and the other day, the perpetrator of the murders also visited the feeder: the northern shrike.  Note the distinctive hooked bill.  Otherwise, they don’t look much like a predator.

northern shrike

Then the snow quit and the temperature dropped to -27C.  For these last 2 days, it has not climbed above -10C, even in the afternoon.  For one day, the sky cleared.  A gleam of sun spotlighted the cottonwoods in front of Finger Peak.

finger peak, morning sun

The fresh snow made the world glorious.

sun and fresh snow at Ginty Creek

On a sadder note, one of our small community’s residents has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  He is the pilot that has most often flown me to Nuk Tessli these recent years.  He and his wife and son have gone to the States as Canada does not have the technology to help them.  Sid and Cora Blackwell both grew up in this country.  The tourist season is short and intense.  It makes a living, but only with hard work, and these people do not have a lot of spare money.  Sid’s long-time friend Nick Hawes has started a fundraising programme to which we all are of course contributing.  Some of you out there might have flown with Sid.  He has to be the best and safest bush-pilot most of us have ever known.  If you feel like contributing, please click this link. http://www.gofundme.com/fdf6o?utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Emails

4 thoughts on “Winter!”

  1. just came across your blog, Chris –

    very inspiring to one who dreams of a life as yours in Nature –
    photos, words, and pendulum (my girlfriend will love to read of your experiences) –

    we live in Ontario, but her work will move to Vancouver in autumn –
    we may attempt an excursion into your mountain-kingdom to experience the possibilities …

    with good wishes for plenty of fine pictures and cozy warmth up there

    peter
    http://www.crimsonbamboo.zenfolio.com http://petervquenter.wordpress.com/

  2. oopss – Chris –
    sorry
    just now notice my mistake in reading the image-/name on this page –
    forgive –

    also, I note your dowsing interest …. my girlfriend will be excited –

    ciao
    peter

  3. Hello Pauline

    just came across your blog …
    what a nice find ! photographs, words, and living a dream you are, too … !!!
    am in Ontario, currently, but we are likely to move to Vancouver in autumn (girlfriend’s work) –
    aspiring to a life in Nature, too, I feel urged to noted your contact info – maybe finding our way into your kingdom could be a possibility in the future –

    with good wishes, lots of fine pictures, and comfy warmth

    peter

  4. Talking about a late start of winter…

    Here in the middle of Sweden, over the past six days, we have been enjoying lots of sunshine and temperatures of well over the freezing point.

    I really like the picture of the redpolls, it’s beautiful!

    I’m sorry to hear the sad news about Sid. Let’s hope and pray he’ll make it.

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