MORE OF OUR "EXTENDED" FAMILY

ANIMALS WE HAVE KNOWN

DAISIE BEAR
As a first year abandoned cub, Daisy was very shy racing to the top of the closest tree, as she had been taught, whenever a vehicle or person came into view. Knowing that in order to survive the winter cubs must weigh at least 40 lbs, we made a decision to feed her. We chose a spot at the top of a ravine at the edge of our garden, between 30 and 35 m from the house. We would fill a bucket with kitchen and veggie scraps and were able to observe her from the house in safety. She would emerge cautiously from the ravine and gently turn over the bucket and stretch out savouring every mouthful. Bucket empty, she would head down into the ravine and disappear again. We didn't fill the bucket every day and if she happened to arrive to an empty bucket, she would walk across the front of the house along the edge of the forest about 25 m away. If there was no response from the house she would cautiously approach until we stepped out onto the deck and said," No Daisy. Not a good idea." At that point she would groan, slowly turn around and go back to her route, eventually disappearing into the bush. Ron would then take food to the bucket with the tractor  and return to the house. Within a few minutes Daisie would be enjoying her meal.

We were always fascinated by her apparent sweet non-aggressive behavior and the dainty way she handled her food. Occasionally I'd be working in the garden, 6m away from her bucket and turn to find her quietly eating, comfortable with my proximity. For four seasons she would arrive in May and we'd see little of her from mid July until the following spring. We didn't see her the fifth year but last year we exchanged greetings as she passed through. Twice this summer Ron thought that the bears who came to the house were Daisy. One, with two tiny cubs displayed the same sweetness and non-aggressive characteristics of our Daisie. Another was alone and did the slow walk in front of the house, responding to our "Daisie" call as did Momma Bear. We enjoy sharing the property with our animal friends and although we have had the occasional persistent type, we've not had any frightening experiences. Their presence assures us that "all is well with the world".   PRICELESS!!


LYNX

On one of our first winter walks on the trails I noticed large paw prints on top of the fresh, deep snow. That was my first introduction to the lynx and its ability to 'float' on top of deep snow. Since then we have had several sightings and visits from these fellows. Sitting they look like any cuddly marmalade cat. When they stand the length, size and strength in those legs erases any thought of domesticity.
When we first arrived they were fairly prolific but then we didn't see one for a few years. Now they're back, thanks to the rise in the rabbit population. Last year we had one persistent chap sitting outside the entrance to our groundhog den for days. He was totally unconcerned about us as we went about our daily business chatting with him as we passed by. They do not appear to be a threat to humans from the several accounts to which we've been privy.

WOLVES

On a beautiful, cold, late November morning in 2014, we were blessed with a visit from a wolf family. I noticed what appeared to be a strange stump in the garden. Closer inspection revealed an alpha male sitting proudly with his face to the morning sun. Within a few moments the alpha female joined him. Shortly there were seven of them enjoying the sun and each other. Ron stepped out on the deck, photographing the family and chatting with them. They observed us in an unconcerned way and continued their family time for at least half an hour. We felt very much a part of the family. We know that they share the property with us, having seen the occasional individuals and pairs over the years. Being very curious, they would have been observing us and knew our scents, accepting us as space sharing partners........a symbiotic relationship.    PRICELESS!!

MOOSE MARION

When we first moved into our new home in 2000, moose were frequent visitors. Moose Marion was a regular who would come into estrus every two years in December, much later than her contemporaries. Every two years, towards the end of hunting season. she would head down to the highway to wait for Mr. Right and to tease the hunters. Hunters would park at the end of our driveway waiting to get a good shot, an illegal one. We and our neighbour would take turns shooing the hunters away and letting them know that we were watching them. Moose Marion had a good long run here producing a calf every two years and twins once. she was a good mom.

For several years there has not been a moose in this area until this year. We are happy to see their return but sorry that it will mean a decline in the number of deer who graze on our lawn with their beautiful spotted fawns. Mother Nature works to keep balance in the natural world.   PRICELESS!! 

CHEE CHEE

Chee Chee came into our lives on a hot summer day as she foraged on the gravel driveway for food and ended up in Ron's hand. She was a baby red squirrel who had lost her mom and her way. Fortunately, we keep cans of puppy milk formula for just such occasions. Using an eye dropper, Ron fed her till sated, she fell asleep in the palm of his hand.  He covered her gently with his other hand and the two of them slept for a while. We started her off in a sizeable transport cage and later moved her and the smaller cage into a large flight cage that we equipped with a small tree. As she grew, it took both of us to feed her until she could feed herself with sunflower seeds. To take her out of the cage, Ron would simply put his hand in and Chee Chee would race up his arm and do several quick haphazard runs around his head, shoulders, arms, chattering gleefully the whole time. She shared our lives for two months until she was ready to be released. Our red squirrel population had been decimated that summer, probably by a fox (not Freddie). So we took her to a place where she would meet other squirrels and have enough seeds for the winter. She leapt joyfully into the trees and we never saw her again. We left a huge pile of seeds for her under the tree and spent a tearful journey home. She was a lively,happy presence in our lives and we miss her yet.   PRICELESS!!