Last month I went to visit my family in Smithers. Ah, the Bulkley Valley is beautiful in the spring (summer, fall and parts of the winter). We spent a lot of time walking in the wetlands with the family dogs (Frank, Pippin and Jackson), all of whom had mild ailments of one kind or another. Pippin has a hearing impediment that prevents him from coming when called but doesn’t stop him from hearing interesting things in the bush. He’s also got a digestive situation, but let’s not linger on that. Jackson tore his ACL and he is now a hyper-muscular hop-along. Frank is aged and tends to fall behind. At least once we lapped him as he stood at the entrance to the path, sniffing blissfully at a bull rush.
We saw moose enjoying tender shoots in the swamp and many species of birds, the most vivacious of which were the red winged blackbirds.
The other favourite walk was behind Railway Ave., heading for the golf course. My mother pointed out that someone had strung up numerous stuffed animals in the trees.
Bears, bunnies, googly-eyed creatures: the trees were full of them.
I hate to be left out of art happenings, so my mother, brother and I went and got ourselves a creature to add to the parade.
This is Angry Duck. His anger doesn’t show up well in pictures, but trust me. He’s really pissed and he’s not sure why.
We made sure the dogs got the chance to inspect him.
He got the Jackson sniff of approval.
The Pippin look of mild concern.
When Frank realized Duck wasn’t for chewing he lost interest immediately.
Now Angry Duck is staring with tremendous disapproval at all who pass beneath him. If you’re in Smithers, stop by Railway Avenue and say hello to him and his little friends.
