During a late June evening, Eva Bechtel of Boultbee Road was weeding her flower bed when she spotted a fawn curled up between two shrubs next to her.
She kept an eye on the fawn into the evening and became worried when there was no apparent sign of the mother doe. Thinking the fawn may be lost or abandoned, Eva called a neighbour for advice, which was to “leave it alone.”
It is common for does to leave their fawns in a safe location while they feed. A resident recounted her story where, on a farm many years ago, her toddler awoke from a nap on the grass in the back yard to find a fawn curled up beside him – the safe place where its mother had left it.
Seldom is human intervention the correct response to encountering a baby critter unless it is in obvious distress. Even in the case of the most vulnerable looking fledglings on the ground nearby a winged parent is likely waiting to aid its return to safety.
In the case of the fawn at Lac des Roches, it was gone by morning.
Friends share news
The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society hosted several meetings to discuss environmental and forestry issues.
These discussions and other stewardship activities underway are explained in the annual community newsletter now distributed to all residences around the lakes. Everyone can read about these activities on the society website at www.lacdesroches.org.
Leaf miner returns
Although delayed by the rain and cool weather, the leaf miner is back and turning the once-green leaves of the local aspen trees into a silvery colour once again.
Movable lawn ornaments
Last year, a neighbour woke up to a small herd of cows in her yard.
Other than scaring the beejeepers out of her young dog, she learned that half a dozen cows can make a huge mess on a groomed lawn in a very short period of time and was quick to shoo them away.
Last week, she was surprised to see a large grey horse outside her kitchen door. The bark from the dog sent the horse retreating into the bushes.
An earlier horse sighting near McCarthy corner and hoof prints on the highway shoulder near Lac des Roches resort confirmed that the “old grey mare ain’t where she used to be,” referencing the old folk song.
Weather forecasting
A neighbour has been texting a seasonal resident not yet at the lake.
When the question arose about our weather, the humorous reply went something like; “sunny, windy, rainy, repeat every hour,” a perfect description of our weather pattern so far.
Bears and berries
Two different black bears crossed a neighbour’s property one day last week.
They may be attracted to the bear berry (or twin berry) bushes, some of which are now covered with the bitter black berries so popular with bears. Residents should be mindful of anything they can do to detract bears from lingering close to their residence.
Wonderful smells
Around the lake, “the hills are alive” with the blossoms of wild roses.
Their scent, mixed with the sweet smell of lilac bushes finally in bloom, are an added bonus to the visual display of blooming flower gardens that dot the yards of so many talented neighbours.
While some residents have succeeded in incorporating the popular lupins, columbine, clematis and tiger lilies into their own domestic gardens, these delicate wildflowers can be enjoyed by walking the roads and trials around the lake for weeks to come.