Monday, December 29, 2008

Unforgettable Elephants

Last night Cael and I watched a documentary on PBS about an elephant researcher/photographer who spent over 15 years in Africa studying an elephant family lead by the matriarch Echo. I have always had a love for elephants since I was a kid, so this show was so special. Here is a blurb from pbs.org:

NATURE chronicles African elephants' families through stunning film and still photos in "Unforgettable Elephants."We have seen them dressed in costumes and dancing at circuses, living solitary lives at zoos or giving our children a thrill with a ride on their back. But the largest land animals live a life that is completely foreign to us when left to their own in the wild -- one complete with battles and births, kidnappings and camaraderie. More than fifteen years ago, Martyn Colbeck began to document in film and photos the lives of African elephants. For the better part of two decades, he has grown particularly close to the elephant matriarch, Echo, and her close-knit family, who have never failed to astonish, amuse, and inspire him.The family seems to accept Colbeck into their world, and perhaps even considers him one of their own. The result is that he can record unimpeded the gentle love, and tight bonds that elephants feel for each other. Colbeck's film gives us a glimpse into the complex world of elephant society. We meet Echo and begin to understand the importance of such a majestic matriarch to her devoted clan. He shows us their language and ways of communication. And he captures remarkable scenes such as the rare birth of a crippled calf that the family desperately and collectively tries to help to its feet. The film causes us to question if this could be about more than simply survival. Is there a deeper emotion we have just been privileged enough to witness through Colbeck's lens? In scene after moving scene, Colbeck makes us fall in love with Echo, Erin, Enid, Ely, and the rest of this loving family. He conveys through his film and in a special interview with NATURE what complicated, powerful, tender, funny -- and, yes, unforgettable -- creatures elephants are."Unforgettable Elephants" airs Sunday, February 3rd at 8 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

If you get a chance to watch this documentary, I highly recommend it! I was so amazed at these animals' emotions and society. They truly are some of the most complex animals on earth! :) My favorite scene was the elephant family approaching and soon falling asleep all around Colbeck. He was surrounded by sleeping, snoring elephants who accepted him into their group like one of their own. I hope you guys get to see this amazing show soon! :)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Let it Snow! Make it Stop!

So over the weekend a nasty cold snap hit all of British Columbia. We had temps well below freezing here on the Coast with an awful wind chill thrown in. It snowed a few inches a few days ago, and then with these lovely temperatures, froze to a complete ice rink. Our whole area is completely covered in an inch of slippery, icky ice! Here is the view out back on Monday afternoon. Note the semi-hockey rink conditions:
And here we are this lovely morning....At least 3 inches of new snow, with more comin down! It's been snowing all morning, and it doesn't look to be slowing up any time soon! I love the way snow looks out my window, but I'm not such a fan when it comes to driving in the white stuff. I am possibly the worst winter driver in the history of crappy snow drivers. I am working on learning, but ah! It can be so scary! Lol!
Brrr!!! We are supposed to get more snow today, then it will hold off till Sunday when the newscasters are predicting a huge dump! Hmm....I think I'll be staying indoors next to the fire reading a book!



Monday, December 15, 2008

Birds Of Christmas!

A few weeks ago Cael and I went to the local nursery and bought a couple of little potted trees that we are going to use as Christmas trees. I've always felt a bit guilty about chopping down a gorgeous tree to decorate, so we got two we are going to plant outside after the holidays! The nursery had the cutest selection of ornaments that I fell in love with! We found the sweetest little homemade birds made with feathers that I had to have!
Little white one...
Little peacock, I had to have two! I have a soft spot for peacocks because they are sooo beautiful. Pretty annoyingly loud in real life though! Lol!

Gorgeous giant peacock bird thing...I love this one, but alas, Cael has decided to give it to his mom for Christmas :( Maybe I'll find another one next year.

Here they are all together on our little happy tree. Yes, I did take them outside and had a mini photoshoot. I am aware I am a huge nerd! Lol! Happy Holidays!




Pretty Days!

Long time no blog! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...just haven't done much worth blogging! Lol! Over the last few weeks, we have had some amazing sunsets up here. I managed to lug out the ole camera and take some pics on a few nights. Here are just a few:
I am amazed at our gorgeous view on a daily basis!
The colours were so pretty this afternoon, sometimes the camera just can't convey it!

So pretty!!! Now today, we are absolutely covered in icy snow and freezing our butts off, so I'll try to take a few pics!