The Free Radical

In the complexity of the ecosystem we frequent, there is always a mystery or two… outstanding.

Mystery Skull

This is the latest skull that Toby found. I placed it atop a fencepost for proper photo-documentation.

Another View

I’ll freely admit that I don’t have a clue what kind of skull this is!

Definitely Hollow

It’s only because of its hollowness that I’m pretty sure it’s a skull. I mean, what else could it be?

Save It For Later

Anyway, I gave it back to Toby, who gnawed on it for a minute before deciding to bury it for later.

Mystery Poop 1

Again, I honestly have no clue! This very long, thin vegetable poo was left in the middle of the path going down from the Mesa. The longest bit is about six inches, while the diameter is only a quarter of an inch… A weasel with a very long and straight colon?

Mystery Poop 2

C’mon ye armchair scatologists, help a brother out! This one’s the right size and shape for Coyote, but if so, what the heck has he been eating?

False Solomon’s Seal

A week or two ago, the cut stalks of the first shoots of these were left conspicuously on the trail by the river. I thought right away that perhaps it was another message from Bigsquatch– only, I didn’t know what it meant. Ever since then, Sitka has been pausing each day at this place in order to enthusiastically dine on these very same plants. Lately, she eats more of this young Solomon’s Seal than anything else on our route. Perhaps the message is as simple as “Hey, try these!”

The young stalks, before flowering, are likened to asparagus. The young leaves are edible too. Fairly soon they will begin flowering which produces a very strong lemon scent in the whole area– something I’ve noticed from years passed. The berries too are edible and reportedly quite good once they ripen to bright red at the end of summer. In the meantime, Sitka can’t seem to get enough of this herb.

Dead For No Reason

So far this year there has been a serious lack of precipitation. We’re quite used to the dryness in the hottest summer months, but spring is usually reasonably wet and very green.

Accumulations

The clouds build up enticingly… but only a few drops here and there ever seem to fall.

Misty Ravine

Some wetness finds its way to a few remote places…

Calling For Rain

…and it seems to always be raining just north of us, as we all grow somewhat thirsty.

Blossom Time!

The timing of things has been odd the last few years. Every species appears to be on its own time schedule. Years ago, the flowers and the leaves of the early-waking species would all come out at roughly the same time. Now, however, it’s as though the ‘old programs’ have been discarded, and each individual species is experimenting for itself what the new optimal timing might be. For instance, the wild rose bushes are barely setting out their first leaves now, while the gooseberry bushes along with the saskatoons are pretty much finished with their flowering cycle. Trust me; it’s odd.

I formally request that all the pollinators come hither quickly, because there has been a serious lack of activity among the profusion of flowers. Without adequate pollinators, they won’t set much fruit… and that would be a shame!

In the meantime though, I’ve been gorging myself on all the delicious flowers.

Waitin’ For Dad

And here’s some gratuitous pictures of the dogs…

Toby & Lhasa

…just cuz.

Porcupine Stump

There’s always something new and startling to see. Here, the red ‘quills’ growing out of this stump appear to be the new shoots of some kind of grass? lichen? moss? fungus? Who knows. It looked like a sunburned porcupine to me!

That was on the way to the Gorge again… where I went last week to check on the prospect of harvesting some fresh Devil’s Club shoots. Last week the Gorge was still slumbering with the last moments of winter’s long sleep; the buds hadn’t burst yet. This time it was Darren’s idea to revisit that place… but with the very same result. We were still at least a week early. (Darren’s pretty crazy about the new-growth devil’s club– his new favourite treat. He was passing through the valley, and he is never one to pass up a possible harvesting opportunity.)

I’m always appreciative of good company, whether fellow human compatriots or the Forest critters.

Holding Still

In the tangled underbrush of the Gorge, this grouse flew up from underfoot and then stood stock still on this branch, presumably with the idea that we perhaps hadn’t noticed its frenzied flight, or maybe that we’d promptly forgotten that it was right there. Both Grouse and Snake mistakenly believe in their own invisibility. Good thing they’re fecund breeders!

Bear Poop

Then on the way back down into more familiar territory we encountered the first sure bear sign of the season. This deposit was relatively fresh and was fairly close to the area around the swamp where I typically see bears… and the odd Bigsquatch footprint.

And speaking of Bigsquatch, a friend of mine who channels this shape-shifting Forest magician relayed a message to me: that Piudi (bigsquatch’s name) found me amusing and entertaining, and that he rather liked the epithet ‘bigsquatch,’ even referring to himself now as such. I was also reminded that the Sasquatch People are actually shape-shifters, and that my recent encounters with Master Red-Tail (Red-Tailed Hawk) were in fact interactions with Piudi himself. And the final bit of the message was that my friend Angie wasn’t into being our go-between anymore, and that I’d have to cultivate my own relationship and communications with Piudi.

Indeed, there have been many ‘messages’ lately left for me along the trail… mostly cut and broken branches left in places along our regular route where only I would find them. I must admit, though, that I’m at a bit of a loss as to what the messages might mean.

Egg of Mystery

Here, we came across an egg right in the middle of the path. A few minutes later, a hawk (not Red-Tail) flew over us, pausing a moment to hover directly above Darren and me. If this was another message from Bigsquatch, its significance eludes me. (We determined that it was Hawk by its voice; Hawk almost always speaks to me at these encounters.)

Anyway, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always know exactly what’s going on in the Forest, but I’m in good company… and I always enjoy a good mystery.

In the past few days, Eagle has been spotted everywhere.

Two mornings ago, as I loaded the dogs into the truck for our walk, a very large bald eagle was circling above the neighbourhood grocery store– the view from my deck looks onto their roof. I always think that Eagle is there just for me… mostly because I seem to be the only one who ever notices his presence.

And then, later that evening, as I was out on a bike ride beside Columbia Lake, I was overflown by another (perhaps the same) very large bald eagle as I biked along the lakeshore path. I assumed this to be the mate of the one in the nest I had passed a while earlier.

Eagle’s Nest

Please bear with me as I make the case that this is indeed a young bald eagle in transition from its dark youthful plumage to the lighter mature colourings which develop over a four-year period. As this individual appears now, it could be easily mistaken for an osprey.

Osprey Lookalike

Between Eagle and Osprey, Eagle is by far the more common bird in these parts. The calls from this individual as I approached the nesting area were distinctly Eagle. (I actually do a fairly accurate imitation of Osprey’s whistle.) The fact that a much larger and definitively mature bald eagle was seen in the immediate vicinity suggests a mated pair, rather than interspecies competitors.

Although the dark mask on an otherwise white head is indicative of Osprey, there is also a brief period where a young bald eagle will exhibit the very same markings. The beak as well will slowly transition from black to bright yellow. I maintain that this is an eagle precisely at that transition point.

Straight On

One feature which sets Eagle apart from other raptors is that their eyes are set more forward-looking for proper binocular vision; they tend to look at things straight on, rather than sideways through one eye only, like other birds.

Peeking Out

As I made my way past on my bike, this parent hunkered down protectively within the nest. I’m not sure what danger I might pose, as I haven’t quite perfected my ability to fly… yet.

Garter Snake

The remainder of my case advocating Eagle is the sudden prevalence of Eagle’s favourite food: Snake. In a twenty-four-hour span I encountered Snake on 3 separate occasions. In animal symbolism, predators and their preferred prey are always considered together, especially when both are encountered in close proximity.

Alert!

Each of the snakes was lucky to remain alive through our encounters. The one pictured above was nearly stepped on as it basked in the sunlight on the road where I park my truck. I had to poke it in the tail with my toe before it even considered moving along. The other two were encountered on my mountain bike, and I just managed to swerve at the last instant to spare each of their lives. Snake has never well understood the true function of human roadways… much to their somewhat flattened detriment.

Anyway, Eagle is considered one of the most powerful and fortuitous of animal totems. Eagle is well connected to the Earth (ground) through its reliance on mainly terrestrial prey (snakes and gophers). Eagle is also known as the inspired Spirit, liaison to the Sun and absolute master of the sky. Interestingly, Eagle has also been strongly associated with various imperialistic empires throughout the ages. The fact of my encountering this individual in transition is rather telling of the transition currently underway among our modern imperialistic forces.

On a personal level, Eagle reminds me to remain grounded even while ‘losing myself’ in more Spiritual endeavours. I can also report here that we’ve still been encountering Goose at the river daily– only recently though, it is now again a pair of Canada Geese whom Sitka chases, instead of just the lone one we’d been encountering the previous weeks. (Sitka too hasn’t quite perfected her ability to fly– but it’s not for lack of trying!) Mother Goose is an obvious totem for writers, and I’m taking their presence here as encouragement and approval. Indeed, I feel very good about all that I’ve been writing in recent months!

Columbia Ground Squirrel

Sometimes we move beyond the familiar territory, into the wilds where our neighbours refuse to go.

North Swamp

Usually, once we’ve crossed the swamp, we immediately turn north toward the Mesa, but this day we were determined to go deeper… into the western backcountry… for adventure, and a rare culinary treat.

Frog Eggs

First, however, we noted the fresh clutch of frog’s eggs– an excellent Forest omen!

Vistas

We were headed into the untrammelled backcountry, into the gorge where I’d built a tiny cabin more than a decade ago.

Horseshoe Fungus on Larch

The very feel of the place is quite different, overgrown and remote…

Scary Monster!

… and we know well that scary monsters lurk around every corner, beyond every hillock!

Cougar Poop

But seriously, I knew for certain that we were moving directly into known cougar territory. I had discovered that the dramatically hard way a dozen years earlier whilst I was living in the gorge in my tiny cabin. (You can read about my up-close cougar encounter HERE.)

More Cougar Poop

On the way to the gorge, we encountered roughly fifty to sixty deposits from resident cougars. The dogs, this day, were very good at sticking real close!

Sasquatch Scratching Tree

At the very same tree that intrigued the dogs so last year, I found more long blonde hairs embedded in its bark. You tell me who those hairs belong to. The dogs insisted once again that the scent surrounding this tree was unusual and unique– though I myself couldn’t smell it.

Budding Larch

We were on a quest for the buds of Devil’s Club– a nasty shrub that grows in wet and shady areas. The area within the gorge, up above my cabin, is the only place I know of Devil’s Club’s presence. The new shoots make a tasty snack when they’re gathered at just the right stage of early development. It usually coincides with the budding of the leaves on the surrounding trees.

Oregon Grape Flowers

The flowering of the oregon grape on the way was an encouraging sign.

Oregon Grape

Some had already begun to set berries which would ripen to a bluish purple throughout the hot summer.

Mouth of the Gorge

At the mouth of the gorge, however, the lack of low-lying new growth suggested that perhaps we were still a bit too early.

Dogs at the Stream

The dogs though couldn’t have cared less.

My Cabin in the Woods

Upon arrival, I was happy to see that the cabin was still standing fully intact, just like the day I built it some twelve years ago.

My Old Hot Tub

A little farther up, we promptly encountered the skeletal remains of the hot tub I’d built for the months I lived in the gorge during winter. I had with me a submersible wood stove to heat the water in the tub, filled from the stream beside. In many ways, I lived almost luxuriously for my stays in the deep woods.

The Devil Himself

And just up from there, we encountered exactly what I was looking for– except that we were indeed just a few days too early. The buds hadn’t quite begun to burst yet.

We shall return.

Mountain Yoga

After the brief claustrophobia within the gorge, it was good to be able to stretch our eyes once again…

It’s all home… everywhere you look… at least it is to me!

Deceptive Fertility

When I first moved to this area, decades ago, I looked upon this place as being ruggedly beautiful, but also rather barren and desolate– just grasses and shrubs and more trees than you can shake a stick at. (Why you’d want to shake a stick at the trees is anyone’s guess!) I certainly didn’t think of the Forest out here as someplace you’d go to grab a bite to eat!

Whiskey Jack

But there were plenty of characters around who kept urging me to “Look closer!”

Mule Deer

Indeed, it was plain to see that there were these large mobile protein caches everywhere!

Through the Trees

And they, in turn, were always very vigilant toward all the other large bags of meat strutting through the Forest.

Oh Deer!

Curious & Vigilant

Beyond the usual trespassers and hunters, they were ever alert to the presence of Cougar, Bear, Wolf, Coyote and the competition for forage among the other ungulates like Elk and Moose. Over the years, I had seen them all here, in startling numbers, really. Clearly, there was a whole heck of a lot more food available here than meets the untrained, jaundiced human eye. None of these creatures looked thin, frail or unhealthy in any way. They all thrived!

Saskatoonberry Flowers!

Now I forage for myself every day, sharing in the ‘secret’ bounty. It was especially Black Bear– that remorseless eating machine– who convinced me that there’s so much food here that the the concept of lack has no rightful place.

The View!

Before the endless bounty of berries comes ripe– strawberries, raspberries, saskatoonberries, gooseberries, juniper berries, rose hips– there’s always a variety of flowers on which to whet a seasoned appetite. Flowers provide very delicate, yet interesting flavours, as well as providing superlative nutrition. All flowers produce pollen. When you pick dandelions– and you should– it is the abundant pollen which often stains your fingers yellow. In order to understand the nutritional magic of flower pollen, research ‘bee pollen’ in general. Just ask the bees how remarkable this food really is!

Flowers are also well known for their vibratory medicine. Quite simply, they impart ‘good vibes.’ I love the saskatoonberry flowers, which are in full bloom right now. Saskatoon bushes always seem to select the places with the most spectacular views… and their flavour is astonishing! They taste strongly of almond with a hint of vanilla– most exotic!

Strawberry Flower

Yesterday, I wasn’t immediately in my exceptionally good mood at the beginning of my walk. I was feeling sluggish, in a bit of a funk. That’s when flowers best reveal their magic. A few dandelions and saskatoon flowers later and I was again my joyous exuberant self… giving the dogs a run for their money on who was in a better mood!

Sitka in the Moss

After chasing Deer for a minute or two, Sitka enjoys nothing more than stretching out on a bed of forest moss. She revels in the vibrancy of this place!

Froggy!

There are ample signs of the health of this place…

Waiting on the Sun

I had noticed that Frog had returned to the swamp a few years ago. They are somewhat delicate creatures, but once the sun lifts the last threat of ice from these ponds, Frog will lay her clutch of eggs– a celebration of teeming Life!

Silly Goose!

Goose is still lending daily encouragement for my very busy ‘ink-dipped quill.’ She approves generously of all that I write.

Unicorn Farts

No, it’s not all unicorns farting rainbows out here– oh wait, yes it is! I can’t stress it enough; this relationship with the Living Spirit of Earth is everything an earthling ever wanted!