Gibsons Bed and Breakfast ChitChat

Whoosh of Wings

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Sounds. What remarkable powers they have. To hear the 'whoosh of wings' perhaps of Ravens racing directly above your head is unforgettable and revered, in particular, if there are no other sounds in competition. Nature sounds catch you off guard, they ground you, they grab your attention, they remind you that there is more to life than the bustle of our busy lives. My photographs are captured because I notice small nuance differences in my landscape, like a tiny mouse or a salamander that blends in. Sounds are, at times, difficult to track, but oh, so rewarding!

This summer, like all other summers, I walk barefoot in the house and outside. This too grounds me, I feel anchored and at peace with the seasons. We are all so busy with this and that, remember to find your anchor, and give your anchor a hug.

Speaking of the 'whoosh of wings', two of these Turkey Vultures were flying and then to my pleasure, landing on the beach below us. It was the sound of their wings that drew my attention to their presence. Come-on they are beautiful and huge, the size of an eagle.

Maintain What You Have

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:28:00 +0000

In between guests, housekeeping and gardening there was time to wander through one of the local garden shops. I stumbled into the 'pond/water' feature area. Words written explained; 'Only takes a minute to install' or 'minimal cleaning involved'. For a very loooong minute, I actually flirted with the idea to purchase a water feature. Are you flippin' mad? I have been taught to 'Maintain what you have then move on to the new'. With an acre of property, plants waiting to be fed/watered, ivy growing faster than I can remove it, pruning etc. What are you thinking! With a click of my heals, I whirled around and vanished. Honestly, the idea of a frog spewing water is not the kind of yard-art I wish to maintain anyhow.

This is a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. They frequent us often and they are the biggest and showiest of all. It has taken me 8 years to snap a photo like this. They don't often rest long enough for me to dash for the the camera.

Familiar Strangers

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

This has been the most wonderful spring, cloudy, rainy with sun splash. Nature abounds with massive green, upright ferns and trees thick with new foliage. Having planted hundreds of ferns, this is their year to shine. Playing in the garden is a joy now as years past have always been a struggle, always disappointed with natures progress. I understand now; ' it is what it is'.

All gardeners will tell you that our minds wander through the day. Flirting with one subject and on to the next. In one flirt of thought I was remembering when I was a postie, delivering mail door to door. For a while, an old Chinese man would greet me every day and walk with me, just for a few blocks. Every day he would teach me a new word in Cantonese. Every day, he would go over the few words I had mastered. One day, he did not show up, he had the audacity to move. Just like that, he didn't give me any warning. I was attached to my familiar stranger and missed him. For months I watched for him, hoping he would come back, if only to say good-bye. I knew his name as I delivered mail to him, he did not know mine. I have since forgotten all of my words except 'good morning' and ' thank-you'. Good words to remember, they serve me well with new Cantonese familiar strangers.

In the 20+ years I have live on the Sunshine Coast, this is only the 3rd Northwestern Salamander I have seen. (There is a one inch pine cone in the upper left so you can sense size) My new familiar stranger will move on with no notice, I am sure of that. I have said my good-byes and maybe see ya' later. Then again, maybe not.

Careful What You Wish For

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:48:00 +0000

We have been the stewards of this acreage for well over a decade. It came with a remarkable stalwart lady called Ivy, she is attractive and striking. Always there for you, always perky and alive, reaching out in every direction, making sure that where ever you look, she spreads her joy of fresh green. Akin to a faithful dog, riding on your heals, except she is inexorable, an inescapable stalker. It is now that I decide to remove Ivy, 5 months in, 6 months left to go, I will win and it is not easy, it is the biggest project I have ever taken on. Ivy has a second life, she gets composted and then burned as hog fuel at the local mill. Win-win for everyone!

Come visit Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast of Canada

"Where you will find adventure and sweet romance."

Hell's Gate

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Slugs have an amazing and never-ending appetite, plowing through tender greenery faster than my beloved deer. It is very difficult for me to smoosh a slug, so I have succumb to beer. Having purchased a slug trap that uses beer as a lure the next step is to find beer. What do I see in the local liquor store. A beer made in British Columbia called "Hell's Gate". How appropriate is that!! Indeed, they pass through hell's gate, a one way trip. Happy slugs, happy innkeeper. FYI: slugs creep into the entrance, find one of the three drinking pools and voila, drown my sorrows.

Can you believe this tiny little field mouse? Sleeping so soundly and almost smooshed under my foot. The cedar leaves it rests on are no bigger than your eyebrows, the pine cone about 5cm (2"). My camera lens not less than 2.5cm (1") away at times.

Come visit Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast of Canada

"Where you will find adventure and sweet romance."

Chocolate Slugs

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:49:00 +0000

This spring in Gibsons has been unusually damp with 10cm (4") of rainfall in one month. Deer Fern's garden are lush and magnificent. We have seen an influx of slugs this year as well. I have spent a few mornings, with my nose to the ground, scouring the grounds for slugs, almost all of them are brown, very large, about 8cm (3").

I don't consider myself a gardener, I am 'one who keeps the forest floor tidy'. And with that thought, I know my forest floor intimately. When something is out of place, it catches my eye for investigation. I credit this talent to my friend Ann. She has taught me to be observant, cherish and appreciate the small things in life, especially nature, in all forms.

No bigger than basketball, this one day old Mule Deer fawn sits on our slopped bank, hidden amongst New Zealand grass and Heavenly bamboo. The chances of seeing this are once in a lifetime. This is our second chance, two years in a row. If it wasn't for Ann and chocolate slugs, I may have never had this pleasure.

Cat-Tail Moss

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:18:00 +0000

Storms are an amazing experience. They spin you through an array of emotions. The storms that drive through the night are even more mysterious, your imagination uses the storms violent sounds to draw images that may or may not exist. The storm that plowed through Gibsons, BC, this week (over 100km hour) happened during the daylight. With the power out, we nestled into the house and watched. The ocean taking deep breaths and exhaling rapidly, the trees dancing like ballerinas, shedding new growth on the forest floor. A matte of cushion, soft to the foot. After the storm we ventured for a walk, to see what damage had been done. On a trail, not far from here, a cedar tree lay horizontal, blocking the trail. The trail, seemingly, looked impassible, other hikers skirting around. We, saw an opportunity. How often can a person climb a tree? Perhaps as a child, or a lumberjack. This is 'The Path Less Traveled", climb this grand cedar with our feet firmly planted on the earth. The scent of cedar thick as smoke, branches gnarly and flexible, bouncing with our touch. Am sure that tree has been bucked up by now, but we had the chance to say hello and good-bye .

Branches that have fallen, will house much life in the years to come. This beautiful Cat-Tail Moss has taken residence on such a piece of debris.

Come Visit the Sunshine Coast of Canada, stay with us, get in touch with nature.

Bird Seed

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:48:00 +0000

My Grandparents pioneered the Sunshine Coast in the 30's, the family history goes a long ways back. We have lived here, on and off, for 20+ years and full time for 7 of those. There is a peacefulness, a stillness, a West Coast blanket of comfort. This 'blanket of cozy' has taken a long time to embrace.

Everyday life-chores used to be the focus, now the chores are the 'coffee break' in time.

There has been much 'action-in-the-air' these days. Two eagles have been soaring through our forest. Yesterday a Sharp Shinned Hawk did the same, then perched on a branch. Having seen this bird a few times, I know that he has his own fly-through-diner and has been here on many occasions. You see, I toss a cup of bird seed down every day as the bird feeders get tossed down by the deer and bears. The cup of seed gets eaten every day, no waste. So far as I know, hawks do not eat bird seed. Hawks like other birds. Fat, healthy, plump, seed filled birds.
Explains all the feathers strewn about this winter.

One Wish

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:26:00 +0000

I have looked forward to this day for quite some time now. Wishing, (like a child with my fingers crossed), that I could have been this woman holding the Olympic Torch; high and with Canadian pride, I will share her 2010 Olympic moment in Gibsons and, partially share her memories. With passion, focus and fortitude, she steadily held this torch singing our national anthem. The flame that has travelled the earth, now rests in her hands. Our moment in time has been recorded.

My one wish? I wish what you wish for. What we all wish for. Harmony with family, friends and neighbours. Concord throughout the world. This is what the 2010 Olympic Flame has brought to me, even if it is a transient flash in time.

Grasshopper

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:00 +0000

The sweet sound of rain on the roof and the gurgling of water. This is our glorious West Coast. As much as we like the sun, we love our rain. It's a never ending battle of 'weather wants'. Today, it is raining.

Our last 'road trip' was to Earls Cove. If you were to visit the Sunshine Coast, this is the end of the highway and a ferry to Powell River would be the next leg of your journey and I must say, the most picturesque ferry in BC.

On the way back we stopped at the Grasshopper Pub for lunch. A venue just off the two-lane highway, in the forest and overlooking the ocean. Cars coming and going, people walking about and this little lady, Ruffed Grouse, walking the parking lot with us. I thought to myself, 'the bird must be here all the time'. No one paid any attention to her. In the 20 years I have been on the Coast I have seen a grouse only once, and that was high up in a tree. They are not in abundance. Asking the waitress about this she asked if maybe it was a rooster. Having re-assured her it was not a rooster, she dashed outside to see.

Yes, this was not a common event. As we get older, we realize that these fleeting moments, are indeed worth taking the time to absorb, if you recognize them. Don't be in such a hurry, you might just see something that gives you copiousness amounts of gratification.

The Anchor

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:25:00 +0000

At first glance, this is a 'delete' photo. Really, trash the darn thing. Let me explain what makes it so unique.

This time of year the spiders 'go all out' with their webs. Every step you take outside, a tickle of web crosses your path. Break the thread and one hour later, they re-build hoping to snag a little lunch.

Focus on the spider and web, a little up-left of centre. At the bottom of this photo, you will see a white curved 'C'. This is a broken branch that fell during the last winds, it is about 60cm (24") long. To anchor the web the spider used a section of the house, a branch attached to a cedar tree and to keep the symmetry of the web, the final 2 anchors are attached to the broken branch. The branch was lifted off the ground as she tightened the tension.

I have seen this construction many times. A small pebble or small twigs, never a large, heavy weighted branch. It is built in a good location. That being, away from my path to the garden. This will be fun to see how long it lasts.

Pretty cool stuff.

Wandering

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:08:00 +0000

It's been somewhat of a dream-world this summer. Snippets of events that, individually, are beguiling. Then, when pulled together, a fanciful fable that can be told and re-told. The summer has been a whirlwind, still blowing through.

I have taken to meandering through the garden. Not only to look for creatures and see vines reaching for the clouds, but to cherish family and friends. To appreciate the global network that make our hibernacula* of life so comforting.

How appropriate that I find this Western Terrestrial Garter Snake. Also known as the Wandering Garter Snake. Yes, you guessed it, another first at Deer Fern BB. Lying on my belly for quite sometime, we looked intently at each other. As the evening sun shifted, we both slithered away. I thank this snake for being part of my network.

*underground dens shared with other snakes, even other species of snakes

New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 02:03:00 +0000

Deer Fern Bed and Breakfast

"Where you will find adventure

and sweet romance."

Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing a new born fawn in your garden. All 'the things' you had to do that day, are now OK to do tomorrow. Then tomorrow, the fawn is still in your garden, in a new location. This goes on for 4 days. Then you think to yourself, thank-goodness for digital photography. Not only do you have 300 photographs, there is no need to leave the house and have them developed or do grocery shopping. Grocery shopping? At some point, an Innkeeper has to say to herself, "Guests? Breakfast?, you want breakfast, with all of this happening?" All my guests, that have stayed this week, have been to Deer Fern BB before. They know that this is a unique and once in a lifetime moment. Yes, I served breakfast, I'm just kidding you. Bet you didn't know that Tim Hortons delivers.

The Sweet Sound of Outdoor Bickering

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Cocoa the cat has taken to sitting in front of the computer screen, whilst we are using it. This is entirely my own doing. I thought, "Wouldn't it be cute to show her hummingbirds on You Tube". Not so. Don't try this at home. She is at one with the computer screen. She is addicted. I may have to send her to an addictions counsellor. On the other hand, our little hummers are back this spring. At the moment, 3 Rufus, darting around and bickering amongst themselves. They seem competitive, nattering for a particular feeding spot. I have found a trick to keep cocoa away from my screen, I set up you tube at my husbands computer while he is away. He can't figure out why she stands in front of his screen and I am left to type away. This just might cause some indoor bickering when he finds out.

The Other Lady in Our Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:57:00 +0000

This is an extremely unusual scene at Deer Fern Bed and Breakfast. What you are seeing is the 'Queen of Surrey', our transportation to and from the peninsula. She has been away for quite some time now, about 2 months, for an engine retro-fit. What makes this so unique is that she had been performing maneuvers for the past hour, moments before she starts her watch. The Langdale terminal and her route is not close to us and to see her come home is most certainly a treat.

The land mass behind her is Vancouver Island. We do watch the ferries go to and from the mainland (Horseshoe Bay, Tsawwassen) to Vancouver Island (Departure Bay and Duke Point).

When you come to visit the Sunshine Coast, the Queen of Surrey waits for you.

All that is Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:18:00 +0000

The sun sets on just about everything, except itself. We have so many phrases about the sun setting: our golden years, chapters in a life or a day and of new beginnings.

Lying at the foot of our property, a sharp-shinned hawk nestled beside the ferns. No life, no warmth in his body. There were no apparent signs of trauma, I do not know why he died. My tears for our creatures that perrish are only dried up with hopes that his offspring are in flight. May their lives be as rich as ours.

The Positive of Negatives

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:10:00 +0000

We know not enough about this life of ours. Even if we try to comprehend, it is a modest understanding. Are we obligated to unite, to touch, to experience and learn? There are no obligations. This life is a short one, it is not a re-run, it is a one time deal and it slips by terribly fast. Be yourself, not what you think you should be. That, my friends, is the hardest thing to do. That, is freedom and takes a lifetime to accomplish. It's not the clothes that makes the person, its the person who wears the clothes.

This coyote knows who she is. She was born with savvy. She is also very photogenic, now I am truly jealous. And that dress, oh how you wear it with sophistication and ease.

Presence

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:04:00 +0000

In early December, one journey took us to Vancouver for a Stewart McLean concert. Can you call it a concert? No, not really. It is a gathering of Steward McLean's radio family. Today CBC played that concert. The temperature is warming up and with a window ajar, and we also listened to the songs of the Varied Thrush. Dozens of voices singing their hauntingly beautiful music. Listen Here. Now, imagine listening to this 30 fold, all day. Two concerts today, one inside and one outside. Take a moment to listen. This is truly a gift, the best gift I can ever give you.

The Clean-up Crew

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

With this 'Coast to Coast' blizzard, we are fortunate that we can stay on the property, no need to travel. We can enjoy everything that comes with snow and the cold. I focus on the shear beauty with my camera. The tracks of birds and animals that appear by morning are plentiful.

The night-shift workers have discovered the day shift benefits. We knew the boulder was being licked clean of bird seed each night, now we know who has a taste for granola. This mom and her two fawns have stayed for the day.

Our birds have been displaced, they come back to polish off the remnants. Role reversal.

It is Christmas day. Everyone at Deer Fern will have a hearty meal. Especially our out-door guests.

Metric

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:21:00 +0000

Another 15cm of snow fell last night, bringing the total to a gazillion cm's. Note: For those who think in imperial measurements, a gazillion cm is equivalent to inches once it reaches zero. The moment the sun comes around and makes it possible to see outside in the morning, Kathi's Kafé is open. A path is carved to the boulder and the table is set. Today, yes, you got it, another giddy moment. Here, right here, the picture above, a Downy Woodpecker. This little lady has discovered breakfast and I have discovered her.

She has made a clean sweep of the exterior of the house. Any spiders that made it through the winter are now in her tummy. This nature writing gig just gets better and better. Yes, I do have a picture of the thrush. Wait for it.........

Shelleys' Jay

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:20:00 +0000

With temperatures in the negative Celsius, the mantle of snow gradually evaporates, and now, another 10cm of snow expected tonight. We have comforts of great joy spreading seed in the winter. Not only does it fuel the birds, the raccoons and deer polish off the remnants during the night. This boulder will be licked clean by morning. In previous years we had a bird feeder, italicize 'had '. Why not spread the seed on the ground. Seems a feeder swinging in the air was a nuisance. Not to me, to the creatures who needed a snack. They seemed to think that it belonged on the ground, so.....on the ground it is, without the box.

This Stellers Jay (British Columbia's provincial bird) is camera shy. I have a 'hide' to take photos. If he even catches a slight bit of movement, he is in flight. Same with this Northern Flicker. I am giddy when I can say 'gotcha'. Today was a double giddy day.

Tomorrow, a varied thrush. Wait for it.

Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:48:00 +0000

This is a grand December afternoon at Deer Fern Bed and Breakfast. The sun is low, the air cool and a waft of warmth tickles the skin. The grass is wet and my shoes, well, they are wet and cold too. Oh, my fingers are cold from pulling weeds as well. Standing in the centre of our property, I look straight up into the sky. My 360° peripheral vision is studded with dark green of the towering cedars and firs. A bubble of blue fills the sky and in the centre, 2 bald eagles fly in tandem, flying in wreck less play. Their bodies tilt and their feet dangle as if their feet and relaxed talons are rudders. I hear the bald eagles just about every day as they talk back and forth. I hear them because I care to listen. It was their idle chit chat that caught my attention, and today, a show for me.

OK, here's the thing. It wasn't a show for me, I think they are after the neighbours chickens. With any luck they got the damn rooster.

The Life of Pellets

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:05:00 +0000

A shiny and glistening 6" globule of alien substance lay glued to a rubble of rocks dedicated for our garden snakes. For the longest time I thought this was snake poop. I have never seen snake poop. I was sure I could see the outline of a mouse with its tiny ears sheathed in slime. As the days pass; the sun, rain and bugs have, very slowly, decomposed this dead mass even more. 30 days later the bones of the mouse still lay huddled undisturbed.

November is typically a month of rain on the West Coast. When it clears we take the opportunity to go outside. Such a day presented itself and this gift, a Barred Owl. Big brown eyes, half asleep, just aware of my presence but not concerned, s/he allowed me to watch. I stayed outside until dusk, no longer being able to take pictures without a flash.

Time to pull this together. Owls swallow their food whole. They cannot digest all of the proteins and then regurgitate what has not been digested, about 20 hours later. Owl pellets are masses of hair, bone, teeth, feathers and exoskeletons.
What I saw one month earlier was not snake poop, it was an owl pellet.

The lessons learned here: Once again, there is more to life than what meets the eye. Never assume you know anyone or anything until all the facts are presented.

The Love of Poop

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:26:00 +0000

In Canada, 'the weather' is consistently the choice of small talk. In Gibsons, this autumn, we have the honour of a new conversation; "Have you seen the bears, there are so many this year." I did see one in the spring, yet they have not graced this property with their visual presence since. I have seen poop. I am very proud to have seen poop and lots of it. Mounds of undigested green apples, some sort of red berries and other items I am not familiar with. When I meet with neighbours they say how the bears have sat in their yard or how they go through a certain spot every morning. I say with with dignity, I have seen poop. The neighbours think I am mad. I have told their grand children about poop and they should get a stick and dig through it, parents alike are not impressed with me. I have asked the neighbours to phone me when they see a bear so I can come rushing over to see too. It's just not fair. I am outside all the time, I have the camera all the time, I look out the windows all the time and I wait to see the all the bears that people are talking about and all I see is poop.

I have a respectful fear of bears, they have a greater fear of us. I wish for this fearful community to embrace the knowledge that the bears are here for such a short period of time. Perhaps one day, they will not be around to be fearful of, that is a very sad thought. Maybe I will go take a picture of poop, green poop and a beautiful poop it is.

In Other Words...

noreply@blogger.com (Deer Fern Ocean View Bed and Breakfast) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Walking trails made of sand, dry from the summer sun, repel the autumn rains. Flows of sand gush downward, followed by streams of orange cedar leaves carving diminutive alluvial fans over the Kentucky rye grass.

Storms have replenished the forest floor to the colour orange. Perhaps a fall colour associated with deciduous trees of the Maritimes, yet it is the colour of red cedar, a conifer. Leaves change with the seasons. Not all, some. An earthy hue so comforting, so warm, it wraps a blanket of calm to all that care to see. Trees absorb a dark tone on their easterly side. Drenched, yet a satisfied thirst quenched from the summer past. Surprisingly, the humid air is warm for this season. The bird bath blackens with algae, birds don't care. Mushrooms blossom in secret places, and only the slugs have knowledge of their whereabouts. Big leaf maple trees are at the outset of autumn, leaves of saffron in colour and fragile. It is my favourite season. In other words;

'Iv'e gotta lotta sweepin' and raken' to do and it's time to scrub the bird bath again.'