A Chip Off The Old Block

Another haul on the Greyhound again today, the only difference from the last 3 or 4 is this will be undertaken in daylight. After the great experience of Prince Rupert it was a return trip to Prince George and onward to Dawson Creek, back to familiar territory as this is the track taken on the 2007 trip. Once again I was able to ride in Pole Position, front seat on the starboard side, ideal for watching the scenery and wildlife go by and taking the occasional photo. The first Moose was seen today as were 2 Black Bears but 'fleeting; from the coach window.

In the town of Mackenzie stands the World's Largest Tree Crusher or so the saying goes.

However, a lady passenger on the Greyhound told me that the claim is not strictly true! Another larger vehicle was also employed on this project but ended up at the bottom of the lake created by the clearance.

The plaque tells you a little more.

Just a 'flash' of the endless and seemingly unspoiled country that is Canada, and this is the town of

Chetwynd, home of the Canadian National Chainsaw Carving Competition.

Each contestant is allowed just a single block of wood, a chainsaw and 36 hours to create a masterpiece.

The 'entrance fee', if you can call it that, is the Top Ten placements have to donate their sculpture to the town.

To date, Chetwynd is strewn with 80 carvings, and I can tell you the overall impression is amassing.

In the last 3 competitions a Japanese 'sculptor' has swept the board.

Unfortunately, the best examples of this extremely skilled art-form are in the center of town, and the Greyhound Station is a mile or so away.

With only a 10 minutes 'stop over' it was not possible to get a close and prolonged look at last years winning entry, but we did at least get a look as our driver slowed down on passing.

The subject was a Preying Mantis standing some 6 feet tall, its antenna as thin, proportionately, as the real thing - what a beauty! Only after the event are the contestant allowed to apply a coat of preservative and, even in just a few rare cases, paint them.

Here's one for the boys and girls on the Buchan Alpha, a Talisman (Canadian owners of the BA) office in 'small town' Canada.

Our driver George Leask a Shetland Islander who tells me he is extremely happy to be here in Canada with his wife and 8 year old daughter. Have to say Thank You again George for the drive and the craic!

A fine view as we crossed a river about 20 miles south of Dawson Creek, with the plateau in the distance looking interesting albeit short lived.

Savannah Sparrow

Plenty of song but not a lot of show!

Chipping Sparrow

Luckily the black stripe through the eye and the rufous cap can be seen. The song of this bird it notable as being very like Grasshopper Warbler.

The Eagle Has Landed

Prince Rupert has a very good feel about it and as far as towns in general are concerned, this really is 'The Wilderness! With a few birds in the bag yesterday and quite a lot of interest in other directions it was well worth spending a second day here, even if only for the Eagles.

The first addition to the Trip List this morning was this Wilson's Warbler, not a pristine adult male but a little beauty for all that.

It's plainly obvious that Seaplanes play a huge part in this communities life, buzzing around like taxis would at home.

The Seaplane has also Landed

Not sure about this one, I want to say Veery again but could use some help, drop me a line!

Orange-crowned Warbler again not at its best but good to see.

House Wren

More success with the Bald Eagles today (as if you could fail)

but I wasn't quite ready for this adult bird to

land on a lamp-post just above my head!

and talking of 'heads', what about this one?

Also on all the lamp-posts through the town were these very attractive banners, but as far as both the Walrus and the

Wolf are concerned, I would much rather have seen the real thing.

Something a little more familiar, Common Starling.

Continuing along the sea-wall, up ahead I could see what looked like an Auk bobbing about among the flotsam. Wanting to get closer I first took a long look at it through the bins and recognised it as

a Rhinoceros Auklet but needed to get a good deal closer to secure a decent photograph. Now, those who have found scarce Auks before will know that once they dive, that is usually IT! This encounter was to be no exception as I raised the camera the little blighter dived and despite a full 30 minute search was never seen again - have I said B*s*a*d's today? An addition to both Trip and World Life Lists.

Mew Gull also joins the company with many dozens, all but one sub-adult, visible but at great distance. I feel sure we'll get closer later in the trip as there was a very healthy breeding colony at Whitehorse last time we visited.

The 'Port Authority' Cutter keeping a watchful eye on shipping plying the Inlet.

Returning to the Bus Station via the redundant railway sidings, this Killdeer, one of a pair, were being attacked by American Crows.

At my approach it put on this distraction pose, obviously wanting to distract me from either its nest or, as it was,

their 2 Chicks, I beat a hasty retreat.

This Cedar Waxwing perched in a tree briefly as I neared the end of yet another brilliant walk, but it's now time to leave so will be heading back to Prince George later in the day.

The 'long' detour had been well worth it!

and finally, fellow traveller and Wildlife fanatic Alan Armbruster has sent me these excellent photographs

of a Great Grey Owl which he found close to his home.

I feel sure the readership will enjoy them as much as me!

Timber, Salmon & Eagles

Another 12 hour overnight Greyhound run from Prince George to Prince Rupert, maybe this time for couple of days, let's see how the 'birding' goes!

Daylight appeared to coincide with our meeting the sea at the landward end of the Rupert Inlet, and quite a sight it was.

There follows a pictorial of snapshots of everyday life in a small Canadian coastal town which survives, by and large, on fishing, logging and some mining.

Of the latter, there is a large Zinc Ore mine not far outside of the town with much of the product being transported overland, while the rest is taken away in these medium size 'bulk freighters'.

The Inner Harbour

Seems the White-tailed Deer are used to human presence, they are all over the place.

'Mother Whale & Calf' the town emblem carved in stone.

Bald Eagles are very confiding also, I counted 31 during the 6 hours out today. This adult sat in this tree quite unconcerned that I was directly below,

while juvenile

only took to the wing

when hassled by another that wasn't content finding its own perch.

There are 3 or 4 fish processing units in town, mainly dealing with Salmon and Halibut. I thought it a good idea to bring the readership some images of the process, so simply bowled in and asked to see the Manager. My contact directed me to the Secretary who in turn introduced me to the Wet Fish Manager who seemed delighted with my intent. Unfortunately, all of today's catch had been dealt with as it was small, commercial fishing not starting until this Sunday, missed the moment by a few hours. Undeterred I was give the freedom to wander where I liked and did get a few shots of the external workings of the industry.

2 small Voith Shneider propelled Tugs used both in the industry and on a commercial basis for visiting shipping.

Repairing nets in preperation for the start of the season.

Only a very small part of the dedicated fleet of fishers, add to these the other companies boats and privateers you have a good number of hulls!

One of the more traditional vessels now being superseded by light aluminium vessels.

The Office Block and Processing Facility overlooking the inlet.

These 3 lovely people from the Wildlife Rehab Shelter heard me talking about publishing these photos and drew my attention to the back of their van.

Inside was this young Black Bear cub which they had just rescued after the parent bear was murdered by humans.

They will nurture it until it can be released back to the wild. I had been told by a passer by of an

overgrown redundant railway track that was in fact off-limits due to falling rocks, but everyone uses it. Seemed like an ideal place to notch up a few birds, so in I went. Most of the plant life was untouched

and there were several small natural grotto's, adding a good feel to the place.

While the photos are not overly impressive they do tell the story, with this Golden-crowned Kinglet being added to the Trip List.

A Townsend's Warbler put in a fleeting appearance, giving some idea of what they look like, while

another Belted Kingfisher was far more obliging.

At the end of the track was Seal Cove

complete with Seaplane terminal,

Heli-pad plus Helicopter Flying Doctor.

There was also a wedding, a little nontraditional with The Blues Brothers,

Bride in white, Bridesmaids in lime green and almost everything else

decked in those 3 colours - novel to say the least!

The logging ship was swinging to her anchor, while the Stevedores

balanced precariously on the rafts of timber either side,

while it was most comforting to see this sign, one of many scattered through the town.

The Coast Guard were also in attendance,

as was this Beetle and

the Sea Cadet Unit reminded me of many memorable 'runs ashore' in the Medwey Towns.