Goldeneye duck carving

The Common Goldeneye duck calls the Yukon Territory its home, at least during the summer. Gaetan carved one and it looks so real, I had a very hard time seeing it go.

More information about this particular duck can be found at:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/common_goldeneye/id

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/buce_clan_AllAm_map.gif

Common Goldeneye duck carving (by Gaetan Beaudet), May 2014

Common Goldeneye duck carving (by Gaetan Beaudet), May 2014

Passing on a cultural tradition: Birch Syrup

Gaetan is from Quebec, Canada. And the cultural tradition is about maple syrup, but since we do not have maple trees, we used a birch tree. The principle is the same: one drills a small hole, about one inch deep into the tree, then a spigot is put in place and a bucked affixed to catch the water. Our birch was drawing about one liter of water in less than three hours. The water tastes faintly sweet and it is clear, something we cannot say about the water from the creek this time of the year.

Sampling birch water, 6.5.2014

Drilling a hole, 6.5.2014

Putting in a spigot, 6.5.2014

Affixing the bucket, 6.5.2014

Our birch, 6.5.2014

Yukon River Breakup

Over the past weeks, with temperatures above freezing (during the days), the snow has been melting, the ice has been getting soft an porous and finally, the river-ice broke here yesterday.

We had been watching and waiting all day, but nothing much had happened until about 7pm when Anya and I were sitting at the dining-table and I half heard and half felt a rumble. I looked out the window when the solid sheet of ice started to drift by slowly. I grabbed Anya and called to Gaetan, and we all headed to the river.

Here are some images from the time right before, during and after breakup.

Before: Ice cover is still largely intact and anchored to the shore, overflow along the sides, the water level is rising slowly, 29.4.2014 - 1pm

During: Ice sheets are moving and grinding against each other, the water level is coming up quickly,
water moving slowly, seemingly with effort, 1.5.2014 - 8pm

After: Ice "parked" along the shoreline, water moving freely, 2.5.2014 - 7.30am

Ready for the next winter

In time for spring, Gaetan has finished collecting firewood for the 2014/2015 heating season. We will stack it once the ground is thawed and all the snow is gone.

Firewood for winter 2015, 27.4.2014

The child who loves water puddles

No matter if it is clear water or a muddy puddle, Anya loves it all. She is still in the process of coming to terms with the consequences (wet pants and dirty hands). But we are working on a healthy attitude toward that.

Great water puddle!... What could I do about that? 19.4.2014

Nice! 19.4.2014

Pouring water! 19.4.2014

Looking for the Easter Bunny

When I prepared lettuce, Anya wanted to eat the dry leaves I had pulled off. I told her that we do not eat those but that she could put them outside and maybe a rabbit would come and get them. I made the mistake of mentioning the Easter Bunny as another potential visitor. Now, Anya keeps checking the site for signs of the furry creature.

Putting out some salad leaves, 16.4.2014

Spring - finally!

We have been experiencing temperatures above freezing for the past three days. Finally, it seems that spring is just around the corner. Still, it will take weeks at best, before all the snow is melted and the river ice is ready to break.

Anya and I had our first spring picnic a short way up the creek, in the sun. On the way back I was the target for Anya's snowball-practice.