Writing about June, July and Aug all in one post is not what I expected but the summer of 2010, tho quieter then normal, has been just as demanding, and computer 'play' time was at a high premium. So here are a few thoughts from over the summer months all in one, very late post.
June -- New parents are fun to watch. Most seem to be as befuddled as Elmer Fudd. Going one way, then another, not really knowing where to turn, what to do... but all of a sudden instinct kickes in and they seem to get the gist of what is what. Our new mother (and father) started out just like that. At first they couldn't seem to get their 'bird-brains' together. They worked on three separate mud-daubber homes before finally deciding which one to complete. They build their one - and two half - nests under the eve of our balcony, right outside the restaurant windows where they entertained dinners for weeks. At first we thought they weren't ever going to get around to 'sitting'... but finally they did... and what a brood they hatched!!
At first all we could see were two harried parents continually foraging and poking food into the top of the nest. Within days, wide yellow beaks began reaching out to grab the food before the parents even got stopped. Then before we knew it there were bodies hanging out every which way. Six fat, fuzzy, downy balls all crammed into one tiny nest. Beaks and butts circled around the edge hanging on for dear life. Every once in a while one would go into 'Copter' mode, wildly flapping its tiny wings, strengthening them for what instinct dictated was about to come. Meanwhile the rest couched, squaked, slipped and grabbed to prevent themselves from being flung out. After weeks of gut-giggling antics the time finally arrived. One at a time they began falling out of the nest. Some fell to the ground and flapped wildly beating the head high grass, before getting air. Others flapped from the onset and found themselves flying... then crash landing into the nearest bush. Mom and dad chirped crazily, swooping to coach the new aviators. Too soon, the nest was empty... the family grown and gone... and the window at last, was clear of 'bird smear'... for this year.
July -- busy, busy, busy -- all I remember is the continual flow of people, old friends, new acquaintances and busy days.
Aug -- Fire month!! If you listened to the Weather Channel, they reported that B.C. was burning up. Unfortunately that stopped alot of visitors from coming into the Cariboo area -- and more unfortunately it was a prime time to come because the area was very so nice and quiet. A real rarity in the heart of the summer season!! In most places the elevations were so high that the smoke didn't effect them much. In the valley though, we did have about 10 to 14 days were the Bowron lakes were 'smoked' in. There were big fires around Nazko and Williams Lake and add to this a small fire iat the south end of the park, resulted in views that were definately not at their best. Although small, the fire in the south part of Bowron Park did get somewhat close to a few camping areas, so B.C. Parks closed the area to all Paddling traffic for a while. I can't blame those who cancelled their paddling trips during that unfortunate event, even I would not want to paddle all the way to the bottom of Isaac Lake, just to have to turn back and face those three portages again!! No way, Jose!!
