Flowers and more

Mushroom pretending to be a flower.


After a full day of rain, not the nice northern misty rain, nooo a downpour of blowing rain; we decided to take pictures of the tundra.
Mosquitoes didn't take long to find us but we persevered for a couple of nice shots. Yes, I even ate a mosquito. Don't be fooled, while the plant life may be small, the mosquitoes are not.



Arctic Willow
Inuktitut name: Suputiit







Arctic Thrift
Inuktitut name: "Carnation"


Yellow Oxytrope
Inuktitut name: Airaq


Dwarf Fireweed
Inuktitut name: Paunnat
There are many plants of this pale colouring neighbouring the deep pink variety. I found them irresistible.

the tempest in the river

Fishing season has arrived, as they say a bad day on the water is better than a good day at the office! With the exception of pouring rain I spend lots of time coaxing out of the river what is hers.(The rain makes the rocks slippery).
I fully understand any ancient people who would worship gods of sun, sky, water, and earth. The river doesn't give up her bounty easily. Patience, skill and time are usually required....and a lure that is tempting to char.
too big for the cutting board...

Char, I've discovered or maybe all fish are very optimistic; small ones taking big lures, eating even though it's stomach is near bursting with shrimp. They are eating machines; teeth that are frighteningly sharp and numerous.

The river has a sense of humour, I discovered that today. Sending schools of minnows by, followed occasionally by a larger fish and they swim right past my line.

On the rocky river shore; the sun is shining the breeze keeping me cool (and therefore sun-burnt) the tide is high and it's a perfect day in the perfect place. It's my happy place, fish or no fish.

Rarely I post a pic of myself but I couldn't resist; this is the biggest fish I've ever caught and weighed in at 5 pounds. Yup it was tasty, yup it fed a lot of people and yup we thank the river.

TAAADAAA!

big and little, the duplicity of the tundra

teeny tiny Moss Campion

Big expansive sky, hilly tundra and vast water. Awe inspiring the tundra, but it's secret is in the smallest flowers. Maybe David Attenborough will do "the secret life of flowers". They are blatantly, overtly sexual. They hurry to blossom, each using inspired unique tricks to attract the pollinators. Arctic Poppy

Often only with the camera can you get a glimpse of their ingenuity. Too early yet for the prickly saxifrage with it's landing strip markings. Texture and sheen often aren't visible to our unaided eye. Mouse Eared Chickweed

On reviewing the pictures I usually notice a feature the plant must use to attract bugs; texture, size, colour and even the shape of the stamen.Arctic Milk Vetch

Vetch distinguishable by it's leaves and ground hugging habits, is less invasive here than in more southern climates. Therefore it's a tundra treasure, barely rising above the ground for it's brief appearance.