Winter is Galloping

By Richard L. Provencher

Tue, 10 Dec 2013
  • 982 reads
5 comments
 

into the West Coast –

a clipboard of activity

BC bound

where grizzlies await winter-snooze.

In the meantime they’re filling

faces with Coho

on the rivers, crowding inland

in their annual rush

from the sea --

spawning is their game.

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Poetry - For All Reasons
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Brings a clear picture to mind of the winters out there, and the grizzlies busy making use of the spawning salmon to prepare for their sleep. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Thank you so much, Rhiannonw. Apparently in Houston, BC, ABOUT one and a half hour of flying time north of Vancouver, has much snow. My wife and I recently visited our daughter there. It is an awesome area, with the Hungry Hills on two sides of their 30 acre paradise with a view of a sunset which arrives in glory, between two ranges of hills. And several years ago two grizzlies munched on some private cattle and lost the battle with the owner. Both denizens are now mounted, one in Houston, and one in Smithers. We visited one of the major areas where salmon are counted, near Lake Babiche, and millions of them arrive through seven sluices where they are easily counted and nurtured. They lay their eggs, then die, and float back downstream to waiting birds and bears, black ones and grizzlies.

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for that extra info. I remember watching a film about some of it once. What a place to be able to visit, and nice to be able to share with those of us who can't! Rh

 

Submitted by Bee on

Very neatly put and as Rhiannon found, easy to picture.

Enjoyed.

Bee

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

Thank you both --- Rh and Bee. Traveling throughout Canada is so neat, and my wife and I, had the pleasure of visiting all provinces, except for Newfoundland, which we will do one day. This last trip to see our daughter was wonderful. In the past four trips both she and her husband worked in the oil industry. They left home at 7 am every day, returning at night around, then work their hobby farm with 65 cattle, 30 sheep, llamas, donkeys and two dogs. Each evening and all weekend they worked at their fulfilling hobby. They did this for 18 years --- buying and selling cattle on their 40 acres gave them a side income, but work-work-work was a must. Now they have decided to retire early in life before they collapse, so they sold their place in the Edmonton area and moved to BC buying a beautiful log cabin bungalow with outbuildings and 30 acres. They earned their retirement. So we were able to sit, eat, drink coffee, chat and recount tales of then and now. New neighbours came daily and never have I met such friendly people as in that part of BC.

Richard L. Provencher