The setting sun continues to shift to the south but the images from the south-facing lots on Lac des Roches are still as beautiful as ever! This was taken on the evening of September 18, 2014.
Moving sunset
Author: lacdesroches
Berries and bears
Wind storms and beetles have had a natural effect of thinning out the forest but the improved visibility in the woods as the Fall season strips the leaves off the trees is always a welcome change to those of us who enjoy adventure walks in the woods, particularly when there are nice ripe berries around to entice the bears. All around the lake, there are ripe rose hips and cranberries which are known to attract hungry bears. Although there has been little sign of these critters in our neighbourhoods this year, they are still foraging in preparation for winter’s hibernation and could be “out there”.
Mushrooms!
Throughout the summer, residents may have stumbled across many different mushrooms, particularly the giant puff balls that are so common in the grass fields around the lake. Cooler weather of Fall provides the ideal conditions for the growth spurt we are experiencing now. Many of the mushrooms that grow in our yards and nearby forest are edible, even considered “choice” for consumption, but extreme caution is always advised. While many residents admit to enjoying the pastime of “mushroom hunting”, it is the squirrels that live among us which seem to collect the most mushrooms. Squirrels will harvest mushrooms from both under and above the ground, lug them up a tree and leave them on a branch to dry for later consumption. Aha, that explains all those mushrooms in the trees! Still unexplained are the “fairy rings” of mushrooms that are growing on the neighbourhood’s groomed lawns. Even an internet search simply provides theories on the biology of why the circles are formed but …why not considered them good luck and be glad you have found them, like a four-leafed clover?
- Shaggy manes are easy to identify and grow all around the area.
Pearly everlasting – the name says it all
As the wild flower season comes to a close, there are still hidden gems out in the forest to be enjoyed. Among the autumn colours of the trees and brush, this clump of small delicate white flowers is still standing. Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis) is a hardy alternative to the more popular “baby’s breath” flower which is considered an invasive species to the area.
Fall brings bonus summer weather and hazards
After killer frost in September, the weather has been lovely at the lake. While the many walkers on Boultbee Road enjoy the changing colours of both natural fauna and less common plant species introduced to the area, the construction traffic continues to be a disruption to the normally quiet residential “street”. While not legally speeding, fast-moving heavy equipment and service trucks do pose an increased hazard to users of this hilly and windy road dotted with hidden driveways. Enjoy the walk but be careful out there!
Annual General Meeting Oct. 22
The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society will hold its annual General Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at the Lac des Roches Resort. beginning at 7 p,m. Most of the agenda items are routine business items to meet Society guidelines, however there is a planned agenda item, looking for a majority vote of members present, on a motion to change the name of the society to “Lac des Roches Watershed Society”. Athough only paid members may vote on any motions at the meeting, public input into the name change or welcome by the Society prior to the meeting date. Anyone may attend the general meeting and members are strongly encouraged to attend and show their support of the hard-working executive.
Lovely Phinetta Lake monitored
Volunteers have been monitoring water quality in the 4 lake chain of the Lac des Roches watershed. By the third week in September, only a few more tests will be conducted to meet the required minimum number of readings by the BC Lake Stewardship Society. For the last three years, Phinetta Lake, Birch Lake and Little Lac des Roches have received special attention, known as Level 2 testing, by the Ministry of Environment. At the end of this year’s test, the data is analyzed and trended to give a health update on water quality. The detailed reports will be accessible through the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society website, www.lacdesroches.org.
Torrential downpours
Extreme weather changes are occurring around the world and our little corner of the south Cariboo is not immune to these severe changes. Most noticeable since early spring are the extremely heavy rain showers we have experienced during the cloud bursts. Overflowing ditches along Boultbee Road are a concern as rain water has damaged the road and private driveways. Although there is a plan to change how drainage water flows through public and private properties, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has done remediation work as a temporary solution to the ongoing deluge we have experienced.
Cougar alert!
A large cougar was spotted walking eastward along the shore of a private residence about 1/2 way down Boultbee Road at 6:30 am on Saturday, September 20. Later that morning, cougar tracks were observed in the forest at the end of the road. This is the second sighting of a cougar on Boultbee Road this summer so it is likely our neighbourhood is within the territory of this roaming predator. Residents must always be mindful of their proximity to wildlife and ensure that their neighbours are informed of sightings so that extra precaution can be taken, particularly with the safety of vulnerable children and pets.
Boultbee ladies enjoy tea
A dozen ladies from Boultbee Road enjoyed an afternoon tea hosted by Marg Neill. Several seasonal residents remain at the lake, enjoying the fantastic summer weather that was so elusive during July and August.
