Outpost Caretakers Week 12 - A Night Visitor

November 20, 2012

Things that go bump in the night as of late have been attributed to a shy nocturnal creature with a nose for garbage. We don't think it's Slick, our social bear from last year. I can't even offer a picture he is so stealth. Mike did catch a glimpse of him padding along the beach but took to the cover of low foliage when he sensed he had been spied. Most of his night manoeuvres are only evident in the light of day.

This garbage can sits at the back door and only contained an old empty plastic bag but must obviously retain an enticing aroma of meals past. A game of hide and seek has been played out this week – he the hider, I the seeker. The first round was easy as I could spot it from the back door although the lid was rather well hidden. The next 2 nights he put a bit more effort into it. Why don't I just put the can in the basement? I could but what fun would that be?

Moving on to bigger and better things his travels have taken him to sorting through the scrap pile (all the large items that get put on the barge in the spring) and striking out on finding any edible morsels of food his endeavours focused on what I call the burning barrel. Our incinerator bit the dust on the day the summer crew left so I have improvised with an old tank of some sort that Mike and I dug out of the scrap heap. It does the trick since our amount of burnables is pretty small and only requires me to fire it up once a month. Lucky for Mr. bear most of the bottom has rotted out so his prize was easily had.

Last week I commented on how I always feel so fortunate to be at the right place at the right time to witness the beauty of nature or a battle for survival. I was riding my bike, going nowhere fast as it is stationary, listening to the radio and gazing out our big picture windows when an eagle caught my attention. We don't see eagles as often as one might think living where we do so I tend to follow them with interest as they soar overhead.

These bikes were brought in this summer for those who had any extra energy that they might need to work off after a 14 hour day. Mike and I totally enjoy them, pedalling several times a day. I really should start keeping track of my kms to see how far across Canada I get or even better... head south!

Sorry for the rear view but I wanted you to see what I see.

I watched for several minutes as this eagle continually swooped down on a bird, who would dive beneath the surface only seconds before lethal talons skimmed the water.

Poised for attack.

The final approach.

Did the target get away?

Mike and I, passing the binoculars between us, kept watch as the scene played out. As the eagle floundered around for several minutes we speculated that he must have hurt himself and could not take to the air. It saddened us to watch as he appeared to struggle trying to stay afloat and than to our amazement he began propelling himself towards one of the islands. A distant of at least 200 yards didn't take him all that long and we rejoiced when solid ground was beneath his deadly claws. I wouldn't like to have seen an eagle die right out front in our bay.

Mike headed back to his computer but I kept vigil to witness the outcome. “There's feathers flying through the air” I stated with a tone of disbelieve. This was confirmed by Mike, cause really he didn't take my word for it. What we had thought was a struggle of live and death was actually a predator dragging his victim ashore to savour the spoils. We felt bad about the smaller feathered fellow but after all...he was a sitting duck.

Till next week,

Heather & Mike



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JOHN BAKER
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