Spring in the Comox Valley

So Canadian ... eh?

Back to the Valley for almost a month now and we are still fighting coughs, and Marc with a cold that came back for some reason.  Both of us are feeling the damp and cold more than previous years.  (Scary - getting wimpy!)

Okay - have to admit - Marc has actually been wearing his toque and winter gear - thinking I might purchase some ear muffs and dig out his winter skiing gear!

We are back to wet, wet and humidity.   But, the positive side is, it is so lush and green everywhere.    I am anxious to get out to take waterfall photos as I haven't seen those for a long time.

Back to oysters .... 

Tazz is happy to see squirrels that climb trees (versus those that dig their dens and trails underground).    

She watches and hangs out on the dirt mounds in Arizona - and can hear them scurrying around underground.

Seeing as we left the RV down south and all the kitchen gear and who knows what, I am thankful to have remembered to bring the rubber boots.     We still have a bare bones house as we have had to start all over with the kitchen tools and miscellaneous.   Little things, like a slotted spoon, a casserole dish (haven't had an oven for 12 years), oven mitts.... etc. 

   But, I love it - starting all over and not having a ton of 'stuff.'   And now ---- new technology!   Loving the Instant Pot (function machine - pressure cooker/rice cooker/slow cooker .....etc).   Not to mention - a full sized barbecue (natural gas), front loading washer and a natural gas stove.    Learning curve happening here!

Fiddleheads are out!    The stores sell a small package of young fiddleheads for about $6.00 a package.

They are edible shoots of the ostrich fern and considered a delicacy in many parts of Canada.    They can cause food poisoning if they have not been stored, prepared or cooked properly.  

Love, love the fawn lilies when we get back this time of year.   Also known as trout lily, glacier lily, or dog-tooth violet (depending on your location).

Below, same lilly - different color.

With all the rainfall, comes the lush foliage.     The forested parks are so lush and beautiful this time of year.   This is the time of year that the deer are giving birth to fawns.    Dogs are required to be on leashes (this photo was not taken during that season), and there are people monitoring the pathways to ensure that people abide by the law.

Spring brings the young plants, flowers and of course, wildlife.

Ducklings are out and about .     .       .         .        .

We have snakes too . . ... No threatening species though, on Vancouver Island.   

The garter snakes can get fairly long but you can not think to compare them to . .. . .

this one we cycled by on our mt bikes in California 

(probably 10 ft long and the width of my arm).

Love seeing the Pileated Woodpeckers and obviously, this one doesn't like my presence.

Second largest woodpecker in North America, the pileated woodpecker.   They usually excavate their nests in cavities of dead trees.

They do not use the same nesting area each year.   Other birds utilize the space.   Sometimes raccoons use the nest.

The pileated woodpecker pair stays together on its territory all year round and is not migratory.    They have been known to live as long as 12 years old.

We are back to different birds in the Comox Valley.

(from Arizona, we see the Quail, Grackles and Mourning Doves) 

The Bald Eagle is a common sight around here and always regal.

and the Blue Heron

In this Northwest coastal region, we have some of the largest slugs around.   The Banana Slug.   The garter snake will actually feast on the banana slug.   Can not imagine anything finding this appetizing.   This slug can grow up to almost 10 inches (28cm) long.

Raccoons, garter snakes, ducks, geese and salamanders sometimes eat them - they roll them in soil to bind the slime.   The slime they build around their bodies is to combat dehydration but also to insulate themselves and also the attract the opposite sex.

This slug is feeding on a mushroom.   They process leaves, animal droppings, moss and dead plant materials.  

When the tide goes out ..... you see rocks covered in seaweed and tiny crabs scrambling.

Tent caterpillars - not great news as they destroy plants.   Every few years we get infested by these critters and they are climbing up our outside walls of the house and on the ground, on our cars . . . nasty.

Dogs are happy to be back to water.   They are so adaptable to the dry climate and cactus but also love the ocean and creeks and forest when we return.   Great travelers.

My new water mark for photos when posting on FB.

Leaving at 4:30 AM tomorrow morning to travel two days to go and see my Mom for her birthday (90th) and Mother's Day.   Excited to see her in person.