WE'RE OUT OF HERE ON WED EARLY.... IF ALL GOES WELL

OUR TRAPPER FRIEND IN HIS MAUL IS GOING TO PICK US UP.  THE BEAVER IS HAVING A NEW ENGINE PUT IN IT AND WON'T BE FINISHED BEFORE WE NEED OUT.  IT HAS BEEN HECTIC TRYING TO GET READY TO LEAVE.  THE POTATOES ARE COMING UP AND THE TOMATOES ARE 1 1/2 FEET TALL IN THE GREENHOUSE.  THE CHICKENS WILL ONLY HAVE THEIR HEN HOUSE AND THE OUTSIDE ROOFED , FENCED PEN.  THERE IS A GRAVITY FEED WATER HOSE THAT FLOWS THRU THE OUTSIDE PEN AND THERE WILL ALSO BE LARGE WATER FEEDERS AND LOTS OF FOOD.   VIKKI WILL FLY IN WITH A LOAD OF SUPPLIES IN 7 DAYS TO MAKE SURE ALL IS WELL AND COLLECT EGGS AND WATER GARDEN.  BRYAN IS FLYING  TO CALGARY AND GRANDE PRAIRIE TO SEE HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN FOR 10 DAYS. 
DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEXT POST WILL BE.......   HAVE A GREAT START OF THE SUMMER.  SURE ENJOYED KNOWING YOU WERE OUT THERE AND HOPEFULLY HAVE GOTTEN A FEEL FOR HOW WE LIVE.   THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS..... IT ADDED ONE MORE THING TO MADE THE WINTER PASS ENJOYABLE. 

TRUMPETER TRUMPS RIVAL

 WHAT YOU ARE NOT SEEING IN THIS PEACEFUL PICTURE IS THE LONE TRUMPETER ABOUT 1 KM DOWN THE LAKE.  THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PAIR HAS TRIED TO CHASE THE NEW COMER OFF. 

THE TWO MALES

THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

 THIS IS THE FIRST PAIR WE HAVE EVER SEEN.  THESE ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST FLYING DUCKS.....  CLOCKED FLYING AT 160 KM/HR. (100 MILES/HR)

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER & SPOTTED SANDPIPER

 THIS LITTLE SEMIPALMATED PLOVER WINTERS DOWN IN MEXICO AND FLORIDA AND TRAVELS UP NORTH OF SIXTY FOR THE SUMMER.  THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WE HAVE EVER SEEN. 

THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER IS THE MOST OFTEN SEEN SANDPIPER

BRYAN'S BACK SAFE BUT EXHAUSTED...

 BRYAN WAS SO HAPPY TO GET BACK TO THE LAKE, AND ALL OF US WERE REAL HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK....   WE TOOK HANNAH AND BEE ALONG FOR A CRUISE AROUND THE LAKE TO SEE HOW IT HAD FARED OVER THE WINTER. 

JAPANESE BOBTAILS ARE GREAT TRAVELERS

DEFINITELY FREE RANGE CHICKENS

SWALLOW TAIL BUTTERFLIES CHECKING OUT THE MUD FLATS

AT LEAST 4 SWALLOW TAILS IN THIS PIC

BARROW'S GOLDENEYE TROUBLES

 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE ARE MONOGAMOUS ...... BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE EIGHT TIMES OR MORE MALES THAN FEMALES....  THERE IS ALWAYS TROUBLE.  SOME MALE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO GET AT THE MATED FEMALE.   IN THIS SERIES OF PHOTO'S THE MATED PAIR ARE DISPLAYING THEIR TOGETHERNESS..... HEADS RISING, DIPPING AND SWIMMING CLOSE.....  BUT THERE'S A MALE DOING THE SNEAK...   ALMOST LIKE A SUBMARINE.  FINALLY THE MALE CHASED OFF THE UNWANTED ONE.

FREE RANGE CHICKENS

 THESE ROAD ISLAND REDS HAVE A GREAT LIFE..... EACH DAY AT ABOUT 1 PM YOU CAN FIND THEM ROLLING AND ROLLING AND DIGGING AND DIGGING.  THEY ARE HILARIOUS TO WATCH.  GOES ON FOR HALF AN HOUR AT THE LEAST.  THE REST OF THE DAYLIGHT HOURS THEY JUST GO ABOUT THEIR WAY.... SOMETIMES DOWN TO THE LAKE, SOMETIMES OUT BACK IN THE BUSH.  THE ELECTRIC SOLAR FENCE DOESN'T STOP THEM.  THEY SURE KEEP THE AREA FREE OF BUGS.  EACH NIGHT AT 9 PM YOU CAN FIND THEM BACK IN THE HEN HOUSE UP ON THEIR PERCH.  WHEN WE GO OUT FOR THE THREE WEEKS THEY WILL BE LOCKED UP IN THE HEN HOUSE WHICH HAS A LARGE OUTSIDE AREA ALSO.  WE'LL PUT IN LOTS OF SAWDUST SO THAT THEY CAN STILL HAVE THEIR DAILY BATH IN THE DUST.

GREENING UP AND BAY DUCKS

 THE HILLS ARE STARTING TO GREEN UP.   THE POPLAR ARE BUDDING OUT AND THE GREEN IS SHOUTING UP. 

A VISIT FROM OUR TRAPPER FRIENDS

 THEIR LAKE GOES OFF 3 OR 4 DAYS AFTER OUR LAKE DOES.  THEY ARE HEADING OUT TO WORK ON "SALMON ENHANCEMENT".  STOPPED FOR AN HOUR AND VISITED..... LEFT A COUPLE OF HEADS OF LETTUCE, A CUCUMBER AND SOME RED PEPPERS. 

MAKING YOUR OWN BOTTLED BEER

 NOW THEN YOU ADD 90 CENTS TO EACH POUND OF WEIGHT TO FLY THINGS OUT HERE AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER WE HAVE FRESH MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER..... MAKING YOUR OWN BEER MAKES IT WORTH YOUR WHILE.  
TAKES ABOUT 2.5 HOURS OF WORK TIME FROM START TO FINISH.  MAKES 47- 473 ML BOTTLES AT A COST OF .35 CENTS EACH.

 VIKKI CLEANS EACH BOTTLE TOP AGAIN BEFORE CLOSING SEALER.

YOU CAN PICK UP THESE HOLLAND GROLSCH BEER CONTAINERS AT RECYCLING PLACES.  YOU HAVE TO PAY THE RECYCLING FEE.  
THE BEER KITS ARE AT SUPER STORE AND OTHER PLACES AND SELL AROUND 15.00 CDN AND MAKE 60-375 ML BOTTLES

KEEP THE BOTTLES BEER IN A DARK PLACE.  THIS BATCH WILL LAST WELL INTO THE WINTER.  WE STILL HAVE 10 BOTTLES FROM LAST YEARS BREW.

CANNING. HAM BALLS, CHILI CHOPS AND GARLIC SAUSAGES WITH CABBAGE

IT'S BEEN RAINING THE LAST FEW DAYS AND SO THE INDOOR JOBS ARE GETTING DONE.  WE STILL HAD HALF A HAM SHANK AND SOME PORK CHOPS IN THE FREEZER AND SO VIKKI IS CANNING THEM UP ..... WE CAN USE THESE FOR MEALS ON THE TRAIL THIS SUMMER.  
GRINDER IS 1 HORSE. 
THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS WHEN YOU CAN.  DO IT RIGHT OR NOT AT ALL.

 COOKED HAM BALLS ARE PUT INTO MARSON CANNING JAR.  THEN VIKKI HEATED UP CANNED TOMATOES AND ADDED TO JAR.  USE A PLASTIC (NOT METAL) BLADE AND GET ALL THE AIR BUBBLES OUT OF THE FOOD.  VIKKI USED THE SPATULA HANDLE END.  GO DOWN EVERY INCH AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND THE AIR BUBBLES COME UP.  JAR BELOW IS WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.  HAVE FLUID COME ONLY TO 1/2 INCH OF TOP.  USE A PAPER TOWEL TO CLEAN THE EDGE OF THE RIM AND

 THEN ADD THE WARMED UP LIDS AND PUT THE RING ON.


HAM BALLS
4 LBS GROUND HAM
2 LBS GROUND MOOSE MEAT
4 EGGS
3 CUPS GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS
1 1/2 MILK (MAKE WITH POWDERED)
SAUCE
2 CANS TOMATO SOUP
3/4 CUP MOLASSIS
1/4 CUP VINEGAR, 1 TLB DRY MUSTARD.

COMBINE ALL THE STUFF AND MAKE UP THE 1 1/2 " BALLS.  BRUSH OR SPOON ON SAUCE....  COOK IN 350. OVEN FOR 60 MIN.   PUT IN JARS AND COVER WITH TOMATOES AND JUICE.  CAN FOR 1 1/4 HOUR IN PRESSURE COOKER.  
THE NEXT DAY I TAKE OFF THE RINGS AND WASH THE JAR AND AFTER IT IS DRY PUT THE RING BACK ON.

 CHILI CHOPS  (this used up the last of the carrots, & turnip)
CUT BONE AWAY FROM PORK CHOPS
CUT INTO PIECES AND BROWN ON WOOD STOVE.
ADD CUT UP CARROTS, TURNIP ONION
1 CAN TOMATO SOUP UNDILUTED
1 TABLESPOON CHILI POWDER
1/2 TEASPOON GARLIC OR WHOLE GARLIC
1 LARGE RED PEPPER IF YOU HAVE ONE.   COOK AND CAN.

VIKKI HAD THE PORK CHOP BONES FOR SUPPER.  THE DEEP FREEZE IS JUST ABOUT EMPTY.  WE DON'T PLUG IT IN TIL FALL AGAIN.  
VIKKI ALSO CUT UP THE GARLIC SAUSAGE AND COOKED SOME CABBAGE AND ONIONS AND CANNED THAT UP ALSO.

NORTHERN SHOVELER...QUITE THE CARTOON DUCK

 NO DUCK IN N. AMERICA HAS A BIGGER BILL.  THE LARGE SPATULATE BILL IS LONGER THAN THE HEAD.  IT FEEDS WITH IT'S BILL PARTLY SUBMERGED, STRAINING WATER FOR SMALL AQUATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS THROUGH THE COMB LIKE TEETH ALONG SIDES OF BILL..... 1/3 OF DIET IS ANIMAL. 

NOW WHAT IN SAM-HILL IS THAT!!!!!

IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING THE SMALL DEEP FREEZE OFF THE BACK PORCH.  IT WAS 6:30 AM AND VIKKI JUMPED UP..... CLOSED THE TWO WINDOWS, LOOKED OUT..... COULDN'T DECIDE WHETHER TO GO PEE FIRST OR GRAB THE GUN.  HOLLY SMOKES!!!!!
PUT THEN SUDDENLY THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT PORCH.  THIS ISN'T RIGHT....    AFTER A MINUTE IT BECAME CLEAR IT WAS THE FLICKER HAMMERING AWAY ON THE TIN ROOF.

TRUMPETER SWANS

 THESE MAGNIFICANT TRUMPETER SWANS WHERE BROUGHT BACK FOR THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION BACK IN THE 1920'S MOSTLY BY THE HARD DETERMINATION AND WILL POWER OF RALPH EDWARDS AND HIS DAUGHTER TRUDY AT LONESOME LAKE, BC.  THEY LIVED, TRAPPED AND HUNTED ON A REMOTE LAKE THEY CALLED "LONESOME LAKE"  IN THE CHILCOTIN AREA OF BC COASTAL MOUNTAIN RANGE IN 1915.    WHEN RALPH AND TRUDY STARTED TO HAUL IN GRAIN TO FEED THE 14 SWANS THAT WINTERED THERE.... IT IS CREDITED WITH SAVING THE TRUMPETER SWAN FROM EXTINCTION.   THE GRAIN WAS HAULED IN OVER THE ARDUOUS TRAIL ON THE BACK OF MAN OR BEAST.  DURING THE COLDEST WINTER MONTH EACH SWAN GOT 1/2 LB DAILY.    THE EDWARDS DIDN'T GET HELP FROM THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FOR MANY YEARS, BUT IN THE END HE WAS HONORED BY THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND AND DECORATED WITH CANADA'S HIGHEST AWARD BY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL.
REAL GOOD READS....."CRUSOE OF LONESOME LAKE" BY LELAND STOWE.
                                            "FOG SWAMP"  BY TRUDY TURNER AND RUTH M.MCVEIGH
                                             "RALPH EDWARDS OF LONESOME LAKE" BY ED GOULD

CHECKING THE SOLAR ELECTRIC FENCE

 VIKKI GOES FOR A WALK EACH DAY TO THE POINT TO CHECK THE LEVEL OF THE CREEK RISING AND ALSO WALKS AROUND THE FENCE TO MAKE SURE NO BEAR HAS PULLED THE ELECTRIC FENCE DOWN. 

BRYAN GOT THE SBX-11 UP AND RUNNING

HEARD FROM BRYAN LAST NIGHT....  HE SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN REAL BUSY, WORKING FROM MORNING TIL LATE AT NIGHT. 
HE TOLD ME A SCARY STORY.  BOTH BRYAN AND BOB S. HAD HAD TO CROSS A WILD MOUNTAIN CREEK THAT WAS A ROARING.  BOB HAD GOTTEN TWO POLES FOR THEM AND AS THEY CROSSED THE WATER WAS RUNNING OVER THE TOPS OF THEIR BOOTS.  NOW NOT MUCH SCARES BRYAN.  .....   BUT HE SAID IT WAS REALLY SCARY.  ONE WRONG STEP AND IF YOU WENT DOWN THERE WOULD BE NO COMING BACK.  THE GOOD THING IS THEY DON'T NEED TO GO THAT WAY AGAIN.
BRYAN, BOB S AND BOB G ARE ALL MILLING WITH THE THREE ALASKAN MILLS.  MOST MINING CAMPS ARE FLOWN IN AND BUILT WITH BOUGHT LUMBER BUT THIS IS A REALLY REMOTE SPOT AND SO THEY ARE DOING MOST OF IT FROM SCRATCH.  HE'S TAKEN THE CAMERA.

JUST LIKE THAT THE LAKE IS OPEN...6:30 PM MAY 16

MAY 16 IS THE DAY FOR THIS LAKE TO GO OFF.  IN THE FOUR YEARS WE HAVE SEEN IT GO IT HAS HAPPENED ON THIS DAY THREE TIMES.  LAST YEAR MAY 11.  TODAY THE ICE IS ONLY 1 TO 3" THICK
BY 6:30 THERE WAS NO MORE ICE AND THE WIND BECAME INSTANTLY WARMER. 

LESSOR YELLOWLEGS

AMERICAN WIGEON

ARTIC LOON

NORTHERN PINTAIL

DUCK SAVES IT'S PARTNER

Canning, Lake Candling, and Cow Moose

THE FREEZERS HAVE TO BE EMPTY WHEN WE FLY OUT AND SO VIKKI IS CANNING MEAT BALLS AND WILL ADD GRAVY.  WE'LL USE THESE UP IN THE SUMMER WHEN WE ARE OUT WALL TENTING IT.  

 AMERICAN PIPIT..... HUNDREDS OF THEM STILL OUT ON THE ICE EATTING ALL THE BUGS.

 LAKE ICE IS STARTING TO CANDLE......THE CANDLES CAN BE 2 FEET DOWN AND 1 INCH WIDE.

AMERICAN WIDEON...  MALE HAS A BRIGHT TEAL FEATHER STRIP ON HEAD.

BARROW'S GOLDENEYE..... MALE HAS PURPLE HEAD

NOTICE THE STRIP OF FUR OFF THIS YOUNG COW'S SHOULDER

THE BARROW'S GOLDENEYE AND THE MOOSE