Thanks to Mrs. Ruoss, one of our Kindergarten teachers, for this shot of her class who collected garbage from a local back alley this morning and filled a Pitch In bag!!

Here we are catching up on the White Rock chick's progress right after our School Talent Show.

I had a great surprise when I went for a walk to Elizabeth Lake this afternoon. I discovered several Western painted turtles sunning themselves on logs in a sheltered bay close to shore and within earshot of the highway. After a careful search from the shoreline, I counted at least ten painted turtles. It's amazing what happens when the temperature rises to the mid teens for a few days. However, the forecast is for a return to cooler, damper weather with the possibility of snow or sleet.

While walking home, I spotted a Canada goose sitting on a nest among some cattails, as well as a mallard duck standing on a grassy slope under a ponderosa pine more than 30 meters from the outflow to the lake. The Columbia ground squirrels were out and about, and were constantly sending warning messages to one another as I approached along the trail.

Quote by: SMW

However, the forecast is for a return to cooler, damper weather with the possibility of snow or sleet.

I'm going to pretend you didn't say that.
I was enjoying the past few days and hoped it would last.

Yesterday I spotted several Western painted turtles in the same area as before at Elizabeth Lake. I was hoping to find some goslings or ducklings as we are going to the lake next Friday afternoon, but there were none visible. Maybe the cold weather has delayed things?

While returning from a walk to Idlewild Park this afternoon, I spotted an osprey circling overhead close to home. As I watched, it dived, climbed, then alighted on a nearby tree. Shortly after it took off, circled again before flying off. Just then a neighbour came out. When I described what I had witnessed, he explained that the osprey had already taken some of the fish from the pond in his backyard, so he had covered it with netting to protect them. Nature is full of surprises.

Today's trip to Elizabeth Lake was windy, but at least it was dry. We sat in the shelter of some shrubs watching two Canada geese feeding on grass on the other side of the ditch, where one of two storm drain outlets empties into the lake. As we inspected Columbia Ground Squirrel Mound near Troll Bridge, we were amazed at the number of tunnel entrances around the sides. Then we spotted a mallard duck waddling along the path towards a Columbia ground squirrel standing on guard. It quickly disappeared down a hole at the duck's approach.

The wind seemed more intense as we made our way round the lake to where we hoped to see turtles. However, it was overcast, windy, and on the cool side, and we wondered whether we would find any. But first we had to take a detour around the other side of the trail because the path was flooded near where the lake empties into Jim Smith Creek. Shortly after we spotted two killdeer, which were well camouflaged, walking on their long legs among the grasses. As we watched, a Canada goose flew silently overhead on its way to the lake, where it landed. This was quite a contrast to the loud honking that often accompanies their take off and landing. We sat down behind some low shrubs to shelter from the wind, and to observe the clouds overhead. But then someone alerted us that there was an ant hill right behind us. Everyone gathered round to have a good look at the hundreds of ants busy at work.

As we approached the far end of the lake close to the highway, we noticed a Canada goose standing on a dock, where we will dipnet for water insects and macro-invertebrates once the weather warms up. Everyone wanted to explore the dock after the goose dropped into the water and swam off. Here there was no shelter from the wind. However, we posed for a group picture against a backdrop of the lake with Cranbrook Mountain in the background, Then we continued our journey of exploration. And there ..... resting on a basking log, protected from the force of the wind, were at least ten Western painted turtles. We found a good vantage point about twenty meters from the turtles, where groups of three of four students could observe them for a few moments at a time.

Before leaving the lake every student was given a pencil and folded piece of plain card, and asked to find a quiet spot for some quiet reflection. Despite the windy conditions, everyone quickly settled down, and began drawing or writing about something they had experienced. We will share these reflections first thing on Monday morning because it was almost home time when we returned to school.

On the weekend I spotted this muskrat busy feeding on cattails close to shore. I don't think he was aware of me standing there. I was just sorry that the sun was behind him and, as most of his body was in shadow, it was difficult to get a clearer picture of him.

Not far away I caught sight of this garter snake carefully testing the air with his tongue. I was able to observe him for several minutes before he detected me and slithered into the shelter of some cattails.