A Sunday reflection

What a year so far! Sadly, the planet has so far experienced many massive earthquakes, horrible devastation that is till overtaking the small island nation of Haiti and the several other absurd occurrences that have occurred already this year. What possibly could the rest of this year hold?

At the desk of Okanagan Wildlife, despite all the bad news that has been the center of much attention lately the year has been so far, so good. I am looking forward very much to the upcoming year as this will be the first summer in many that I plan to finally experience and enjoy a real Okanagan summer. After working and living most of my life in this little summer town that is known to double in size during the warm months of the year, this is usually a time of busy work. But this year I plan to be spending a lot more time on this work… As my online career continues to take shape, I hope to use this year to indulge my imagination and continue on with this adventure!

Remember to keep checking back for new additions as every week seems to bring out something new around the pages of Okanagan Wildlife and Nature.

Best wishes,
Jessica

Spring time in your garden

Tips for spring cleaning in the garden - by Jessica A. Tucker - Helium:

"Spring is a wonderful time of year to catch up on chores like cleaning up the garden and readying planting areas for the fresh year of planting and growing that lies ahead. The mornings begin to slowly warm with the sun, fresh buds arrive on the trees and a lively color of green can be seen erupting from plant boxes, gardens and lawns everywhere. As most gardeners are not yet busy tending to tomato plants, peppers, peas, melons and pumpkins that can inhabit a garden this is a great time to catch up on things like repairs, upgrades, soil preparation, weeding and general cleanup..." Read more!

by Jessica Tucker

Tips for expanding your living space this spring - by Jessica A. Tucker - Helium

As strange weather continues on through January this year in British Columbia, many households are already seeing bulbs popping up in window boxes and gardens. In regards to water levels and snow pack, sadly it is feeling a lot like early spring around here.  My writing has once again found another topic to branch out to, this time taking form in a 'Do It Yourself' article entitled Tips for expanding your living space this spring.

Tips for expanding your living space this spring - by Jessica A. Tucker - Helium:

"When looking to expand your living space this spring there are many steps that you can take before spring even arrives. Generally termed as spring cleaning, a good removal of junk in living space, closets, storage, garages and outdoor areas can often reveal spaces you may have forgot you even had. When time allows, a few simple projects can completed with minimal effort and a bit of extra time and can create great little projects through the dreary months of winter."

Hopefully this spring, with these simple tips provided you will be able to expand your living spaces to new and undiscovered places.  Continue reading...

British Columbia, a province divided

British Columbia, a province divided:

"A land portrayed as vast hectares of untouched, plentiful forests, moose drinking from still mountain lakes and bears catching wild salmon in the rivers, British Columbia was once just like it is promoted to be. In some areas, one can still find parts of B.C. where this theme still holds true. Sadly, if one were to venture into the wilds of B.C. and Canada’s north one might also come across some ugly surprises.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when explorers, fur traders and homesteaders looking to get away from the overpopulation and crowding of many overseas countries came to British Columbia to join the native inhabitants, they found a province rich with resources. Although money and success was a main factor for many of those who flocked to British Columbia at the turn of the century, people were generally in search of a better life.

In 2010, many activities and industries that once fed, sustained and employed large groups of Canadians and were maybe even considered part of the framework of Canada are now looked upon and proven as environmentally harmful or even hazardous. The thought raises many questions for society as a whole. Where do we draw the line? Save our environment or sustain our economy, there has to be a middle ground."

Read full story at Examiner.com

Strange winter weather for the Okanagan

Golf Tales From The Pro Shop Counter: Strange winter weather for Okanagan golf courses:

"The cause, unknown. Whatever reasoning you choose to believe for why the weather is taking such dramatic changes every year to that of the last, the fact of the matter is that these changes ARE occurring. In the upcoming years, major changes are going to have to take place as to how we manage our planet and our wasteful lifestyles or as we are all quite aware we may not have a planet to live on."

To read more please follow the link above.

Vancouver Headlines Examiner: Will there be snow for our Olympians?

As warm weather and rain continues to threaten the remaining snow pack of the Coastal Mountains work crews preparing for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games may be feeling pangs of worry.

With a lack of new snow and an extended period of warm weather and an extreme excess for the Whistler area, the fate of the Olympic Games hangs in the hands of the Gods. Of course, the Games will go on. However, the question is will a lack of snow make it that much harder on the athletes?

Read more at Vancouver Headlines Examiner.

Poems of Time, Stolen Dreams

Poems of Time: Stolen Dreams:

"Stolen dreams
A Haitian night
Countless souls
Taken, too late.
A world displaced,
An island upturned
Mouths hungry,
Faces lost, so sad.
Through the dust
Under the dark light
Of a Haitian moon
Hopeful voices rise
Still soulfully singing
A song of God bless in tune."

This latest poem added to Poems of Time has donated to the Helium Haiti Relief Fund.

Jessica Tucker, the newest addition to the Examiner.com

Yes, Jessica Tucker and Daily Headlinz are moving forwards towards the brightness of another new year.

We have recently (today) joined forces with the Examiner.com, “the insider source for everything local” as their Vancouver Headlines Examiner. As I am extremely excited with the new adventure, my first article is already posted and live on my new page at the Examiner.

Please take a look and book mark my new address at the Examiner  to check back and stay up to date on with the latest Vancouver and area News headlinz!

Jessica
http://www.examiner.com/x-36417-Vancouver-Headlines-Examiner

Avalanche warnings on HIGH for B.C. Interior

Areas including Revelstoke, Invermere and Nakusp of British Columbia's mountainous Interior region have had their avalanche warning raised to a "special" high rating by the Canadian Avalanche Center.

These three towns grow more and more popular ever year as word gets out about the great powder, back country sports and mountains of untouched snow the are hosts during the winter and the many new extreme summer sports that tempt young and old alike during the warm months of summer.  Locals and tourists tend to flock to this region to experience a little bit of British Columbia's beautiful back country.

The winter months are becoming a growing concern in the area as every winter a few more avalanche fatalities occur.  As more and people adventure out into the unfamiliar mountains of these areas, not always prepared or aware of what they are really getting themselves into, the chance of this type of fatality occurring riding immensely. 

Whether it be climate change or simply a warm from to hit British Columbia, the warm temperatures have not been helping.  Although the avalanche warning has been on high in the area for quite some time now, the Canadian Avalanche Center felt it appropriate to raise the warning to a "special" high due to this extreme warm front hitting the province.  The snow pack has become extremely unstable making the risk of avalanche even higher. 

This warning is expected to stay in effect until later next week when temperatures again drop and conditions improve.

"All backcountry users are asked to stay on low angle, simple terrain during the warning."

Source: calgary.ctv.ca        

NowPublic

Tags: Environment | Weather | Sports | Skiing | British Columbia | Warning | Snowboarding | Avalanche | special | REVELSTOKE | backcountry | TERRAIN | sledding | Invermere | Nakusp | snowmobiling | British Columbia interior | Canadian Avalanche Center | BC Interior

Daily News Headlinz: Earthquakes, as the belly rumbles

Daily News Headlinz: News with a Mountain View: Earthquakes, as the belly rumbles:

"May the world unite and pray, our hearts and hands outstretch for all those affected by this planetary state of emergency. Then in the form of angels, may those of us that can not be there to help come down from the heavens to assist you."

UPDATE: Like the belly of a dragon, Earthquakes all over the Pacific

In follow-up to Could our earthquakes be linked to Solomon Islands disaster?

Update January 11, 2010- 8:00 AM (PST): 

Well, as daylight rises here on the Western hemisphere, tweeters are busy twittering about small earthquakes from all over the place.  Significantly, overnight the planet experienced another two earthquakes nearing the 5 mark on the Richter scale, in the Indonesian and Fijian regions.

As reports come in from yesterday's devastation, one death has been reported while two others were injured in the aftermath of the 5.4 quake in Tasikmalaya and Garut, West Java.

Source: http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2010/01/11/brk,20100111-218534,uk.html

January 11, 2010- 12:00 am (PST)

As earthquake reports continue to roll in the latest reports from the latest rumble came in at quarter to eleven this evening, Pacific Standard Time again off the shores of Northern California.  Measuring 4.2

in Magnitude, Californians most likely felt a shake quite similar yesterday's earthquake. The epicenter was located,

• "59 km (37 miles) W (260°) from Ferndale, CA
• 59 km (37 miles) WNW (288°) from Petrolia, CA
• 69 km (43 miles) W (261°) from Fortuna, CA
• 74 km (46 miles) WSW (243°) from Eureka, CA
• 368 km (229 miles) NW (307°) from Sacramento, CA"

Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/nc71338851.php

Also reported yesterday were two other quakes, one in Tongo and one, Vanuatu, both recorded over a 5 on the Richter scale.

 
Original Story:
  

Current reports from the National Earthquake Center have established that the most recent earthquake occurred at 5:24 AM PST in Central Alaska.  This most recent quake was measured a only a 3.1 Magnitude, however hitting inland citizens in areas of Fairbanks, Cantwell, Hardin- Birch Lakes and Denali National Park, Alaska may either have slept right through it or felt a quiver as they got up to make their morning coffee.

  

Reported at 5:30 AM (PST), another earthquake has rocked the Pacific again.  This time a 5.0 Magnitude has been reported by the Earthquake Hazards Program, just off the shores of eastern Papua New Guinea.

"95 km (60 miles) NE of Lae, New Guinea, PNG
205 km (125 miles) ESE of Madang, New Guinea, PNG
380 km (235 miles) N of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea
2445 km (1520 miles) NNW of BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia"

Source: earthquake.usgs.gov

Reports of earthquakes have been coming in repeatedly over the night from areas of Mexico, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea varying in Magnitude from 4 to the 5.2 that was reported only hours ago, off the shores of Indonesia.

"A magnitude 6.5 earthquake rocked the Northern California city of Eureka on Saturday, snapping power lines, toppling chimneys, knocking down traffic signals, shattering windows and prompting the evacuation of at least one apartment building."

Source: fox43.com

News reports are expected to elaborate as to damage caused by the many earthquakes that have been ransacking many areas of the world over last night and few days.

NowPublic

Tags: California | Environment | Weather | Science | San Jose | Alaska | Earthquake | Indonesia | World | Climate Change | Oceans | Ferndale | Solomon Islands | eureka | Fairbanks | New Guinea

Could our earthquakes be linked to Solomon Islands disaster?

After revising yesterdays article entitled, Massive earthquake reported off shores of California, 09/01/10, too many changes were made to just update within the old article.  Within the changes a new thought was born...

Breaking News:

  

A massive earthquake has been reported to have hit off the shores of California this afternoon. CNN News and weather officials have said the quake of a "6.5 magnitude" hit just off the northern coast of California and many areas are reporting power outages,broken windows and disrupted phone lines.

"The quake, which ran about 10 miles deep, hit at 4:27 p.m. (7:27 p.m. ET) Saturday, about 25 miles from Eureka."

Source: cnn.com

Reports have not yet been established on the full extent of the damage however the US Coast Guard has had no reports of any injuries as of yet.  More reports are expected as the night wears on.  Sources are so far relaying that two of the largest power stations in the area are reported to be up and running and in normal working order.

  

The National Earthquake Information Center shows a myriad of small quakes that have been happening all day along the Pacific coast of North America.  After taking a look at the aerial view of where these quakes have been occurring, one might wonder if these Pacific quakes have any relations to the earlier Solomon Island earthquakes.

Massive earthquake reported off shores of California, 09/01/10

Breaking News:

  

A massive earthquake has been reported to have hit off the shores of California this afternoon. CNN News and weather officials have said the quake of a "6.5 magnitude" hit just off the northern coast of California and many areas are reporting power outages,broken windows and disrupted phone lines.

"The quake, which ran about 10 miles deep, hit at 4:27 p.m. (7:27 p.m. ET) Saturday, about 25 miles from Eureka."

Source: cnn.com

Reports have not yet been established on the full extent of the damage however the US Coast Guard has had no reports of any injuries as of yet.  More reports are expected as the night wears on.  Sources are so far relaying that two of the largest power stations in the area are reported to be up and running and in normal working order.

The National Earthquake Information Center shows a myriad of small quakes that have been happening all day along the Pacific coast of North America.  After taking a look at the aerial view of where these quakes have been occurring, one might wonder if these Pacific quakes have any relations to the earlier Solomon Island earthquakes.

NowPublic

Tags: California | Environment | Travel | Earthquake | coast | Jessica | windows | STRIKES | broken | GEOLOGICAL | tucker

Winter Forests, the newest addition to Poems of Time!

Beauty in light


Winter flickers and flecks


Sparkles in the cold night.


A charged world


All snowy white


Amidst the charm of a winter forest.


Crisp footsteps track


Break through the crust


A fresh path ahead.


Flakes fall from above


Green confined by white


Heavy bows droop high above


Animals chirp in delight.


A branch breaks


An arm freed


Sounds in the distance


Of my celestial winter forest.


Source: http://poemsoftime.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-forests.html 

Austin and Angel: Saved from BC cougar attack

The story is told by a greatful grandfather who now relieved, tells a vivid tale of how their family dog saved his grandson from a nearly fatal cougar attack. 

"The way Lloyd Forman sees it, his 11-year-old grandson was saved by an Angel...  That's the retriever who protected young Austin from a charging cougar during a bloody, against-all-odds confrontation Saturday in the tiny British Columbia community of Boston Bar, about 200 kilometres northeast of Vancouver."

Source: ca.news.yahoo.com

Austin and the lab, significantly named Angel, had reportedly been in the back yard of the house getting firewood when out of nowhere the cougar came after the 11 year old Austin.    Before the cougar could reach the boy, Angel intervened giving the boy time to run inside to safety and for help.  After a lengthy fight entailed between the cougar and dog, the family feared for the dogs life. 

A nearby RCMP officer arrived within minutes of receiving the call to maim the cougar.  Successfully, the cougar was shot by the officer and Angel miraculously survived with some wounds.  Thankfully for the Forman family Austin and Angel are both still safe all because of the braveness of their family dog.    

NowPublic

Tags: Canada | Family | British Columbia | RCMP | World | Angel | cougar | yellow labrador retriever | cougar attack | BC cougar attack | Boston Bar

Big leatherback turtle suddenly appears | NowPublic Photo Archives

Looking around this afternoon, I came across this photo of a gigantic Leatherback Turtle and felt it was share-worthy!

With an "approximate weight of 500 kilos" this highly endangered species was found on a beach in Cabo San Lucas. You have to check the picture out!

Photo source: Big leatherback turtle suddenly appears- NowPublic Photo Archives

Update: Mackenzie Valley pipeline project

After the release of the "long-awaited report" analyzing the feasibility of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline project set to run from Canada's Arctic to the border of Alberta, the future of the project is still unknown until the federal government agrees to chip in with funding, according to the Edmonton Sun on Saturday morning.

The "...report on the Mackenzie natural gas pipeline says the multibillion-dollar project could benefit Canada's North economically, especially during the construction phase of the 1,200-km pipeline...The project's corporate backers, including Imperial Oil, Shell Canada and Exxon Mobil, are still negotiating with Ottawa over a financial assistance package for the $16-billion pipeline... The Mackenzie project will continue its way through the federal regulatory process at least until September this year, at which time the National Energy Board expects to deliver its recommendation to the federal government..."


Source: http://www.edmontonsun.com/money/2010/01/02/12324096-sun.html

While work crews in Canada's north sit idle in hopes of a soon decision, many have had no choice but to move on to others areas of Canada and North America in search of work, seeing as, in the four years it took to complete the report new deposits of resources have been discovered all over the continent.    

"...This week should have been a moment of great celebration for... the thousands of business owners and workers who have spent the last decade preparing for the... pipeline, which would for the first time bring Canadian Arctic gas reserves to market..."

Source: theglobeandmail.com

 Instead, it is the the many in disagreement with the multi billion dollar project that are most likely feeling twangs of happiness over these recent developments.  Only time now, will tell...

NowPublic

Tags: Canada | Markets | Environment | Government | Energy | World | federal | fund | Natural Gas | Arctic | pipeline | NORTHWEST TERRITORIES | north | Mackenzie | Mackenzie Valley Pipeline | multibillion-dollar | ALBERTA CANADA