Take time to explore the outdoors
It’s the May long weekend of 2003. We are heading up the Connector in the truck and camper with the boat trailer in tow. The temperature is registering 5 C. The forecast calls for showers, snow flurries, a few sunny breaks in the higher altitudes and generally unsettled weather. We are not too concerned as it is our first fishing trip of the year and we are meeting my son at the staff cabin on Hatheume Lake. By the time we reach the cabin on Hatheume Lake it is a “balmy” minus one degree.
We unhook the boat trailer, level out the camper and prepare the boat for fishing. It is now zero degrees with a slight breeze. A game of crib is in order before we venture forth onto the lake. When the wind calmed down somewhat we decide to go fishing.
After donning two pair of sweatpants, a T-shirt, sweat shirt, fleece vest, scarf, ear muffs, hat, gum boots, and the rain suit (with gloves in the pockets) pulled on over all of this, the “Rock” is ready to set out in the boat. With all of this on a lifejacket is a must — here comes the “Rock” ready to brave the elements.
Considering the temperature, the rain suit is mostly to keep the wind from penetrating through the other clothing. With only a slight breeze it really wasn’t uncomfortable on the lake.
Shortly after we got out on the lake, we had a short-lived hailstorm. We had been fishing for about a half-hour when Doug leans forward and says, “Are we having fun yet?”
By the time we came in off the lake my son Greg, his wife Penny and my young thirteen year old grandson Mikey and his friend Cameron had arrived at the cabin.
Over the weekend we did have some fiveto 10-minute hail showers but it never stayed on the ground for long. All of us did manage to go fishing as the weather wasn’t all that bad. If it is raining we don’t go out on the lake but if it starts after we go out we usually stick it out — generally they are just showers. The wind did die down, the sun did shine, we did go out fishing and the company was wonderful.
Fishing — well we left the fish in the lake for others to catch.
Why the “Rock” loves to go fishing! Being outdoors is a great way to communicate with nature. While on the lakes one has the opportunity to watch wildlife in its natural habitat.
The first most noticeable creatures are the very large black and white loons with their lonesome distinctive call to their mate. It is interesting to watch them as they put their jet-black heads into the water and then dive as they go after a fish — hopefully not one attached to your line. If they catch a fish they will surface and with great dexterity turn the fish, without losing it, so they can swallow the fish head first — yes, swallow the whole fish head first. These beautiful birds preen themselves everyday and this procedure is extremely interesting to watch. When their chicks are very young the parents sometimes carry them on their backs (I guess their young get tired like our youngsters do).
Another majestic birds to watch are the grey and white osprey as they circle high overhead. From high up, they are able to spot the fish. They dive just to the top of the water and with their claws extended to pick up their prey.
They will then fly to a high tree or if the nest is close by to it to eat their catch. Their distinctive V-shaped wing makes it easy to detect these majestic birds.
The bald eagle is another beautiful very large bird found around the waters edge. These pure white headed black bodied birds rest quietly on a high tree branch watching for their prey to surface. As these birds with their wide wing span fly over you can notice the white tail markings.
The blue or grey heron are not so easy to see along the shoreline. These long necked, long legged birds blend into the grey driftwood logs very well. Many times it is only when they move that one realizes their presence. They fish with their long narrow beaks along the shoreline for small fry.
Not to be missed among these birds is the elusive yellow-headed black bird. These birds are slightly larger than their cousins the red winged black bird. They have a jetblack body and a very distinctive yellow head. But it is their beautiful song that you hear so often among the reeds that lets you know that they are present.
Mother Nature is a beauty, unto itself. While on the lakes or in the woods one can only marvel at her creations.
There are so many more beautiful, and wonderful things to see in the way of plants and wildlife in our grand forests.
Take the time to explore our great outdoors, look for and listen to the birds, watch for wildlife and smell the flowers of our great valley.
Alice de Pfyffer, Lundy was born and raised in Kelowna. She was a member of the first kindergarten class of the Immaculate Catholic Church. She attended elementary and high school in Kelowna and graduated from (KHS) Kelowna High School in 1953.
She is a life member of both the Okanagan Historical Society and the Kelowna Branch. This article is part of a series, submitted by the Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Historical Society.