PS Whimsy - Behind the Brush

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Cariboo 3

Hi everyone, I have a few more pictures of the Cariboo to show you today, but first of all I must apologize about the fellow below. I asked for assistance in identifying the Marmot below because I couldn't find any that quite matched this little fellow.

Well I now think that is because this is not a Marmot, instead I now think it is a Ground Squirrel. Compare my images below..

to this Ground Squirrel picture I found on the internet:

There are definitely Marmots is the Cariboo this just isn't one of them. That gives me a mission for my next visit!

Now this is definitely a horse:

My sister Dorothy with the horse, I am sure about that too.

Canada Goose sitting on nest, and not too pleased about company, the mate chased me away shortly after taking this picture.

This egg shell (goose sized) was nearby, must be an egg thief nearby.

Here is a fawn grazing happily, until a door opened and someone let a dog out,

then both mother and fawn scooted away. They still have their shaggy winter coats.

Here is a doe and two fawns taken by my brother in law last summer.

Now we get to the new (to me) birds for today:

I think a Canvasback, above and below.

A Hawk, no sure want kind. It was heading for a marshy area where I had just seen a brood of goslings being escorted by protective parents.

An American Kestrel:

A Meadow Lark

A Ruddy Duck, and yes, that beak is bright blue.

White Crowned Sparrows:

I think this a Yellow Rumped Warbler:

Yellow Warbler?:

A tractor, just slightly past its' best before date:

There were lots of great fences too, this one decorated with a bark wreath.

Well that is the last of my Cariboo pictures and all the pictures for today.

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I have a couple of paintings to share with you. The first is a painting of an Arbutus Tree on a rocky shore, not sure this one worked, may need to start again.

Second is is an ink and watercolour painting called "Pear Duet":

It is the latest of my Food cards, which include a recipe card using the pictured ingredient. What is the recipe for this card, take a look:

View at:http://www.pswhimsy.com/food-cards-series-22.html

or all the food cards at: http://www.pswhimsy.com/food.html

Until next time...

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.

Thanks for stopping by,

happy Whimsy Wednesday

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

Cariboo Encore

As promised last week I am sharing a few more pictures from my recent trip to the Cariboo region of BC.

In 100 Mile House we saw this Stage Coach.
This original B. C. Express Stage Coach (No. 14) is the only surviving Coach of the Barnard Express and Stage Line which travelled between Ashcroft and Prince George as late as 1917.

Falls on Bridge Creek

Bridge Creek Falls from above.

The Stevenson sawmill was built near the turn of the 20th century by brothers Frank and Sydney, who also owned the historic roadhouse and adjoining ranch land. Bridge Creek was diverted upstream to the power mil, through a series of wooden flumes to a drive-pipe, and ultimately to a water driven turbine. All that remains is the stack (drive pipe) at the falls (below).

....and now for the wildlife............

There are wetland areas throughout the area, the one below was located right beside a large grocery store, so rather than shopping I went to see what bird life I could find.

I think this is a Brewer's Blackbird, at first I thought maybe a Grackle but I don't think the tail is long enough.

This one is easy, a Red-winged Blackbird:

This is a new one for me, a Yellow-headed Blackbird (male)

and a YH Blackbird (female):

Also in 100 Mile House we stopped by a play ground that was covered in holes,

and soon spotted this Marmot.

As we looked around a few more Marmots appeared, the one below seemed as interested in me as I was in it. Much bigger than a squirrel, but I would estimate less than a foot tall with tiny ears and mole like front paws for digging. I don't know what kind of a Marmot it is, any ideas?