Day #188 Cougars, Beautiful but Deadly

Yes, several sitings of a wild cougar were reported in the The County, in the Rednersville area recently.
Cougars are pretty shy as a rule, and so while they may be watching you, you rarely know it or see them. I cycle the wilderness trails almost exclusively.
There are cougars in the wild in Ontario now, so all cyclists should be careful.
Paul suggests one or more flags on the back of your bike, and tassles on the handlebars. They are easily confused, and do not like it so this is good protection according to him, Paul Malagerio, cougar expert.
I suggest an airhorn, such as I bought and mentioned a few blogs back, as well.
It sure spoils the fun of being able to take a grandson for a walk in the woods. We were going to try the Harry Smith, not a relative of mine, conservation area this week, but will have to stick to town for awhile.
A customer of mine from Alberta says they have been around her farm always, and never bothered any of them.
I will cycle as though the same applies to me.
'Here, Kitty, Kitty. Nice Kitty! I'm just going to take your pict...' Whoops.
Happy Trails to you and me.

Day #189 WaterLilies & Runaways

I cycled Hwy. #33 before noon, skirting Lake Ontario, until I got to Hubbs Creek Road, and then I was drawn to turn right. Up and over a hill, and I came upon this serenely beautiful pond. Then north to Greer Rd., and east to the Millenium Trail to home.
Unbeknowst to me, a 5 year old German boy visiting Canada had gotten lost the evening before in the huge corn fields just a short distance further on at the east end of Swamp College Road. He had run into the corn field after arguing with a parent. Dozens of local & non-local volunteers, helicopter, police, ambulances, TV trucks, national defense personal from Trenton - all these I had to pass slowly on my way to work. Their faces had such a tragic look to them that I was overwhelmed, and cried.
At 7 pm, he was found. Guten naght.

Day #190 Nicki is a Pet Cougar

"Hi Karen! Here are the pictures..i added a picture of the siberian tiger cub just because it was really cute. The guy holding the cub is Paul. the rest of the pictures are of Nicky...three pictures are of when he was a cub.. you can tell when you see the spots on his coat. I especially like the one where he's stretching out on the couch like a little prince. The rest (when he is sitting in the car) were taken when he was just over a year old. Hope you enjoy them!!! -Sarah"

Thank you, Sarah. I will add your pictures as soon as I learn how asap.
I am particularly interested in cougars because of the danger they will pose to me when I cycle the TransCanadaTrail, probably alone.
Paul called me last year to give me some of the characteristics of cougars, which I put in a previous blog 3 or 4 months ago.
A friend tells me that there have been recent sightings in southern Ontario, and an Albertan customer for my job told me they have long been near her farm, and never bother them. However, a cyclist alone may be another issue altogether.
Will get those photos on as soon as I can, folks.

from blog #359:
Not long ago, there was an article in the Picton paper about Paul Malagerio and his cat, Nicki. Nicki is a young, declawed, domesticated cougar. Paul has worked in various zoos, and has worked in Zimbabwe, too. Big cats are his passion. He takes Nicki with him in his truck, and they are often invited to schools to do a presentation. I wrote to Paul to ask for cougar information, and he called me today with these bits of info' and advice. Cougars, mountain lions, panthers - they are all the same animal but with colour and skin thickness variations according to their environment or location. Cougars have a 90% successful kill factor. Most animals have between 10% to 20%. Cougars see humans as another predator, particularly because we walk upright, so they are taught as cubs to avoid us. However, a cyclist's predictament is that since we are sitting smoothly on a bike, we look more like a racing gazelle or an escaping animal, in my opinion. When a cougar attacks, it gets you silently from behind by the back of the neck, and you are usually paralyzed within seconds so bear-spray may not be much help. I plan to carry it on my waist belt, or in the water-bottle carrier on the bike. Cougars are especially attracted by bright colours and movement, so, as you can see, a cyclist is so much temptation. Still, we rarely hear of cougars killing people. The closest I've heard last year was the person chased by one in Banff, and the cyclist in the hills behind San Francisco. Both escaped, as did the older couple last month on the west coast, U.S.A. but he was badly hurt. Still, it's like the fickle finger of fate - we don't want it to be us. I was told that we'll find them from Ontario to B.C. It's my belief that they were exterminated in N.B. and Quebec, and, of course, PEI doesn't seem to have anything for a cyclist to worry about other than what seafood platter to order. However, they may have been re-introduced in some areas so it looks like cougars will be an on-going worry. More cougars are killed by people than the other way round, however. People buy them as pets, (easy to buy - zoos etc. - $500-$1000), declaw them, and release them when they become trouble.
Ministeries of the Environment move a bunch into your area and release them. The cats aren't equipped to survive these kinds of changes and often perish. Farmers and hunters kill them. Growing human populations are removing the ability of most big animals to live in our areas these days, anyway. If fact, most of life is being mowed away or destroyed in one way or another. Cougars are easily confused or distracted. Things Paul suggested that I could use would be tassles on the handle bars, a flag, or perhaps some clicking thing on the spokes. My favourite solution was told to me by a gentleman from Vancouver me last month. 'Take a dog', he said. 'Dogs will usually keep wild animals at bay'. This is something else I have long contemplated, taking a dog, but have made no decision yet. Need more info' about breeds that could possibly do it.
Anyway, may all your cougar experiences be friendly ones.

Day #191 Why

Why I Love Cycling on Country Roads.
This road dipped down into a lowland with a wood swamp on the Chase Road.

Day #192 (Friday July 27) Ripples

Comment from Reader - Day #193:
"That is awesome Karen. Very inspiring. You go girl."

Trust me; there is still SOME cellulite left; some ripples; just not as thickly as they have been other years. You won't see ME in a bikini!
Diets have been a battle for many people for a long time.
My mother-in-law told me that when she was young, (1892 on) women were considered attactive when fat (ish), and she tried so hard to look fuller than she was. She was a tiny Dresden doll-like person, rarely weighing over 100 lbs. so it must have been quite a struggle. No french fries in those day, especially when living on the farm on Waupoos Island.
Fifty-five Plus magazine suggests heart-healthy foods such as:
almonds, broccoli, oranges, salmon, herring, sardines, spinach, sweet potatoes, kale, Swiss chard, and tomatoes.
I use a lot of hard-boiled eggs, soups, dried and fresh fruits, and juices.
Yogurt and frozen blue-berries for dessert.
But I cheat a lot, so am still a size 16. After all, this is the
corn-on-the-cob-with-gobs-of-butter season.
A good thick wide bicycle seat is a must for me, heehee.

Day #192 Chillin' Out

Yesterday, when I was cycling on the Millenium Trail, PEC, I noticed the occasional Robin lying on the sides of the trail at different times and places.
As I rode close, they would fly up and into the Sumacs.
Toward the end of the ride, I got off my bike and walked it quite close to one before it flew off.
What I saw was a Robin with its wings stretched out, their tips touching the stones, not unlike a Killdeer pretending it is injured to lure you away from its nest.
The Robins must sit like that in the heat of the day to cool off. I've never seen this before.
We saw the same thing on a different part of the trail today while taking our grandson and our grand dog for a walk near Hillier.

Day #193 Get Rid of Cellulite

Before I started cycling, I would always notice, with distress, the ripples on my thighs from cellulite whenever I put on a bathing suit, .
Today I went to North Beach for a swim before cycling 17 km home.
After my swim, while lying on the beach and soaking up the sun, I noticed that most of the cellulite ripples have disappeared. My skin seems almost tight. Today is the first time I noticed this and I'm most pleased.
This knowledge alone, should it become public, would see thousands more ladies out on the roads and trails cycling their little hearts out.

Day #194 Dripping Mud

Comment and photo of Dripping Mud from Esta, re: Day #204
Hi!
Today, very nice (and new) friends and I went cycling at Macauley Mtn.
Just a tip that when cycling there be sure to have rugged tires.
Russell had to wait for me a couple of times because my smooth tires slipped a lot in the mud on the trails, and wouldn't make it over some of the branches.
I recommend a rough tire on the front with a lot of groves, and a hybrid tire on the back that is semi-smooth - that way your bike is good on and off the road!
Totally universal!

Thank you, Esta.
Karen

Day #195 Nectar, and Lack Thereof

We have quite a lot of potted flowers on our deck this year, and annuals beside the deck.
However, as I have shown before, we also allowed the nettles to grow at the back,
and some catnip has recently flowered beside my tomatoes.
It's scary!
What's scary?
This!!!
The bees are always in the nettles and catnip, but never seem to be on the potted flowers, and/or on the annuals from the garden centre.
I was told recently that most garden centre flowers are sterile.
A TV docu and a radio program, both of which were on recently,
focused on the decline of bees.
Folks, we must allow wildflowers into our gardens,
even if we have to make special plots for them.
Look how beautiful they are.
Give one/some a home, for the sake of Mother Earth,
and for your decendents, which are one and the same issue.

Day #196 An Admiral on my Knee

Picture from previous blog in April.
At the cabin, I was sitting in a lawnchair doing Sudoku after a long bike ride in the afternoon.
Along fluttered an Admiral Butterfly which landed on some Bugloss nearby.
I stopped to watch, and then it flew overhead and landed on the deck.
As I was about to resume my puzzle, it flew onto my knee and stayed there for 10 minutes, until I absolutely had to move, whence it flew up and around and landed on my arm.
I watch for at least 20 minutes as it's proboscis probbed and probbed around the old skin cells, tickling me nicely. It felt wonderful, and it was so beautiful to watch.
When its wings were folded up, it looked drabbly grey, but on opening them, which it did quickly before closing them up again, then I could view the lovely blocks of orange on black.
It has evolved to look very much like a Monarch Butterfly, especially to birds and other enemies, so it is often avoided as a food source.
Not a lot of wildflowers, though, on my property this year for it to get nectar from, although there are lots out by the road.
Strange year. Strange animal behaviors, too.

Day #197 Little Red Rat

Last Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, I stayed overnight at my cabin.
Never saw the Red Squirrel all day Sunday.
Sunday evening, sitting inside reading, I finally heard her toenails on the deck, running all over it, and then I heard her run up the door frame and over top nicking the clay thermometer, then down and around to the side.
If you have ever heard a red squirrel scolding, then you know how shrill and grating it can be. She didn't stop, so I hunted for sunflower seeds, went outside, and threw them on the grasses beside the deck.
The stars were out, it was calm and cool, and I went back in.
As I resumed my reading, I heard her jump from the side wall to the fireplace pipes, which incidently haven't been capped yet. She clambered inside the top pipe and then I heard the mewing of little ones.
Then I remembered the last time I was there, being unable to get the firelog to light.
In the morning, I went outside with my tea and saw her up on the eaves running across from the pipe and disappearing around the corner of the cabin, scolding me loudly.
When Des came by later, he pulled the pipes apart and found them stuffed full of straw, some with burnt edges...babies gone.
She came out from under the cedars later that evening, but I told her I would never throw out nuts for her again.
Of course, Luuc and Des still might.
Lovely sunset that evening for me, though.

Day #198 Great Snakes Alive

I tried in vain last April to find this slide to show you of County Garter Snakes in the spring, just up from some den in a deep woods southeast of Picton after winter's long sleep. Today it just showed up.
This is mating time, and as gentle as are garters at any time, they are very receptive to having their pictures taken during this time of year.
On Salt Spring Island, we found garters of many shades of colours under an old well at a B & B. Lavenders, pinks, greens, yellows - all pastel. When my daughters picked them up and let them wind around their arms, they were dismayed to discover a horrible odour afterwards.

This Girl that Bikes and likes Snakes said...
Nice pictures of the snakes!
I love snakes! There's a mysteriousness to them.
I have come across a few by the road cycling the backroads - usually they slither away but sometimes they just soak up the rays and the warm road and forget about life! (and death - by car!) July 23, 2007 8:40 PM

Day #199 Grandparenthood!

A day with my grandson, whom I adore to the extreme.
Talk about extreme sports.
It can't compare to extreme love.

Comment from Reader:
Jo said...
I can relate Karen, spent 24 awesome hours with my amazing Grandaughters last weekend.
Grandparenthood is so Grand!
July 21, 2007 10:07 PM

2nd Comment from Another Reader:
Anonymous said...
The boy in this picture is really charming.
It seems he is a nature lover from a youngin'.
Nice info about nature and such - good you know so much if you're going to be in the wilds. July 23, 2007 8:43 PM

Day #200 MildStone

Only 200 more days until I'm 65!!!
This was yesterday, Wednesday.
I was out having fun.
I cycled to Huyck's Point and beyond, then back.
A friend joined me for an afternoon at the red barn watching a play, one of the stars of whom I home-schooled for a spring-time in 1987. That would be the very beautiful Natasha Pasternak, who, like her mother, Suzanne, is extremely talented in the acting/singing field.
I had a wonderful homemade soup for supper and then went to Belleville to see the movie 'Evening'. Though American, is seemed to be an art film, and very passionate.
Wonderfully acted and directed. Excellent story.

Comment from Day #201

Anonymous said...
Have you been on any interesting bicycle adventures recently? It would be great to get some ideas for places to cycle in your area. July 8, 2007 11:44 AM

I found it really tough going but interesting on trails on, off, and around Army Reserve Road. From Lake Ontario north to Army R. is about 1 mile. The length is about 9 km. The entire area is called Prince Edward Preserve. Trails abound throughout the preserve that take you to the lake on mud and stone single tracks past bushes, trees, wildflowers, caterpillars, butterflies, bees, birds, and, of course, some poison ivy. The birdsong is wonderful. The scolding red squirrels ridiculous but funny.
The other spot that I found wonderful is the country roads between Ameliasburg and Wellington. The Millenium Trail is very rough right now, but the side roads are so picturesque and serene to ride down. Lakeside Drive takes you along the north side of Lake Consecon. All the other side roads in and around there are lovely.

Day #202 Comment from #206

Hi Karen, As you may know the poison ivy rash is caused from a chemical burn.
It is likely that the chemicals from the poison ivy that 'burned' you the first time remained in your clothing... burning you again when you put them on for the second time.
Poison Ivy does not grow in Newfoundland, nor is it abundant in the rest of Atlantic Canada, your time on the trail in the east will be free from the poison ivy blues... not too likely to encounter a grisly bear or cougar here either.
See you on the trail! Ms. Fellowbuncher July 16, 2007 6:45 PM

Day #203 Comment n Answer from #214

Hi Karen,
Always love your little tips on hiking and also on caring for nature.
Is the stuck sandal from experience.?
If we do not take care of planet earth then planet earth will not be habitable for our children and grand children. If everyone would do just a little it adds up.
Mary July 8, 2007 4:55 PM


Karen I. Smith said...Thanks, Mary.
I agree totally.
I am hoping people will start mowing around some wildflowers in their lawns, and that the municipal governments will stop having or allowing the sides of the roads - the last bastions for the little critters - to be mowed.
It's unnecessary, and it uses up the earth's final reserves of gas and oil.

Day #204 Bikehorn - Air Zound

At Stephen Licence bike shop in Belleville, I was shown, and purchased for $29.00, an airhorn for my trip that should definitely scare off any bear or cougar, should one be in a bad mood as I am passing.
Warning to all bears and/or cougars: VERY LOUD!
No chemicals. No batteries.
Rechargeable by using the air pump.
Looks like a water bottle and holder.
Clamps on the bike handle easily.

Comment from viewer:
Your Cougar Friend LOL said...
Thanks for the horn warning Karen.
July 17, 2007 6:08 PM

Day #205 Fun Guy in the Woods

Not edible fungii but interesting.

Day #206 Poisoned Again

Did you know that you can get poison ivy a 2nd time, not from a plant directly but from the poison ivy oil left in clothes.
I had laundered everything here, but perhaps I had forgotten a pair of pants at the cabin, I'm not sure.
I did, indeed, get it again, in the exact same places on my thigh, so I know it had to be from clothing.
Luckily, I didn't happen upon someone who kicked ass - would have been a bad time for that.
I laundered every pair of pants/slacks again on Monday.
The burning and the nausia was absent this time...just an infernal itch sometimes.
It looked like a giant insect bite, but there was no oozing of yellow pus.
I count myself lucky.

Day #207 Milkweed and Chickory

Wellington Channel, opening into/from Lake Ontario.
Milkweed is for baby Monarch Butterflies - aka caterpillars.
Chickory is for tea, and putting the flowers on birthday cakes or on the top of a glass of orange juice for decoration - they're edible.

Day #208 Stopping By Lighthouse

Cycling has a serendipitous side to it -
finding little treasures like this beach to stop to swim in,
and the lighthouse to photograph, though it was a grey day,
and the channel into Wellington Harbour from Lake Ontario to enjoy watching boats coming and going for awhile as you sit on the sand or a stone on shore to rest.

Day #209 Vitamin B1

Thank you, Jo, for your comment:
"Hi Karen,
The pharmacist said to take 50-100mg. per day of B1(thiamine) during the mosquito season.
Supplements needed for assimilaton of B1 are:
Manganese,vitamin B complex, vitamins C & E
I'll let you know when the bugs stop biting.
Happy Trails".
Wonderful!

Thanks so very much, Jo.

Day #210 Bug Off!

Flies on a spider's web - better than a bug-zapper.
A reader asked about mosquito protection.
Then she - Jo - wrote back that the natural one is Vitamin B1.
Garlic helps, especially if eaten raw.
It protects you against rapists, too, if eaten raw.
Even friendly encounters with your partner.
But at least you shouldn't have any bug bites after eating it.
Brewer's yeast helps keep fleas at bay, particularly if you are a dog or really hairy.
Muscol is a pretty good deterent, and I believe it was founded by a Canadian, and not harmful to humans. That's what I use as a last resort.
Ignoring the bugs seems to cause a lowered degree of stress, and, hence, fewer bites. They love people who are afraid of them, don't know why.
Avoid standing still. They pick up on the carbon dioxide you breath out.
Standing in the sun rather than the shade helps.
Avoid going out at dusk. By midnight, they seem to have had their fill, I've noticed, and aren't so much of a bother.
Using your thumbnail to make an X on a mosquito bite helps relieve the itch, and so does Penetan cream which is used for baby rashes. Penetan works on all itches, including poison ivy. Unless you're a really big baby, and then nothing helps.
Staying inside usually keeps the bugs from getting you, especially if there are no holes in your screens. Not as much fun, though.
Don't be bugged by bugs.
Get out there - enjoy the summer cycling, swimming, hiking, running, fairs, parades, picnics, beach basketball etc.

Day #211 The Eye of the Beholder

Beauty - I cannot imagine anyone not seeing the beauty of this natural field of wildflowers, nor of wanting to mow it away into a sterile green/brown desert.
Great stress is being put on all living creatures right now because of the excessive mowing, starting with the depleting of insects which pollinate, like bees.
Adopt a wildflower, plant it in the middle of your lawn giving it a 2 or 3 foot diameter to live in, and mow around it.
... for your sake, and the sake of all living creatures, including humans - present, past and especially the future.

Day #212 A Close Shave

Before Petcetera, our dog, Benny.


Afterwards, we couldn't find our dog...only his twin brother, Bozo.

Day #213 Ram's Mom

His Dad developed his horns early, too.
I'll have to wean him pretty soon.

Day #214 Hiking Hazards

When leaving the trail to go out onto the rocks to snap a pretty flower, remember that your sandal can slip down into a crevice and entrap your foot.
Once you get your foot out of the sandal, if possible, then your sandal can usually be worked out, as well.
In case this is not the case, always wear tough socks.

Day #215 Milkweed

Time for the lovely fragrance of the flowering Milkweed.
If you see if coming up on your lawn, please mow around it.
It will feed the baby Monarch butterflies, also known as caterpillars.

Day #216 What's the Beef

I had my first of 3 annual hamburgers today. I try to keep meat intake to a minimum in my diet, because, to me, all animals are potential pets. I doubt that this farmer feels the same, though.

Cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases, as measured in CO2 equivalent, than transportation, and smarter production methods, including improved animal diets to reduce enteric fermentation and consequent methane emissions, are
urgently needed, according to a new United Nations report.
Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.
Cattle-rearing is also a major source of land and water degradation.

Day #217 Canadian Untouchables

Not many folks today allow nettles to grow in their backyard, but there are some in mine.
The plant can be used to make into teas and poltices, but I haven't done that yet.
From a distance, it looks quite awful in a garden or at the back of the house as here, and, for sure, has a terrible stinging effect if touched.
However, look at the fascinating close-up of the flowerette
taken last year by master flower photographer,
Lucas Velthuis.
I should have titled this issue "The Ugly Duckling of the Plant World".

Day #218 Have a Chipper Canada Day

July 1st. Happy Canada Day!!!
I spent two days at my cabin.
A friend came along with a bag of all-season chips, and offered me some, exclaiming how good they taste as he hadn't had all-season in years.
"I suppose you want all the big ones," he said, passing them across to me.
"No, I like the small ones," I replied, and dropped the bag on the deck and stomped on it.
"See! That's much better!"

Just kidding. July Fool's Day. Hee,hee.