5C's Que Pasa

May 13, 2020

Lots of rain but we are still here

Most people around here are saying that last nights storm was the worst they have ever experienced here in Kelowna. Yet others as close as Vernon and Penticton hardly got any rain. We got tons of rain and it never stopped, the streets were like a flowing stream. Later in the evening we were further treated to more rain lightening and very loud thunder.

Before it even got dark out it was obvious that the lake was rising.

The rain chains did their job.

Taken this morning.

By Colin’s accurate measurements taken every morning at 8:00AM the lake had gone up four inches. That is very good news. The day prior the lake rose six inches and the day before that it was up seven inches. Today with all that rain it only rose four inches. So that means that the snow pack is likely melted and the flow of water is slowing down.

On our walk today we saw observed that the wee island that the geese and ducks hang out at and usually have their nests at is totally under water. The parks beach is also totally under water and the water is right up to the golf course fence. There is some water pumping going on there. A few water traps have appeared on the golf course but we are not sure if they are from the lake or from the rain.

We were to have more rain showers today but they stayed away, lucky us.

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May 12, 2020

This and that

We had a few beautiful almost perfect days. This morning we managed a walk on the rail trail going towards Winfield, not too far, but long enough to see some new construction and get off the trail and walk through a different residential area that we were not aware of. As we got back closer to the park we could feel a definite chill in the air. Next stop was our garden and while I thoroughly watered ( as in deeply ) Colin did some weeding.

We have both seen the beaver in the past two weeks. I was lucky to snag this photo as he came up for air as he passed our living room windows. But how do I know if this is only a muskrat? They look so similar in the water.

Once home I checked the local online news and discovered that we had a weather alert with heavy rain ( oops to my heavy watering ) and possible thundershowers hence the cooler air. The lake has been rising steadily although it did slow in the last 24 hours to only a 5″ increase in height. We are well over the third step. Colin has been in touch with management and they say that the snow pack above us had melted and so we should be evening out sometime this week. Fingers crossed that all this rain won’t be a problem.

Someone brought a beekeeper in who set up a small hive right next to our gardens.

This will be great for pollination in our gardens. You can barely make out a few bees just left of bottom centre.

One bee only gathers 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its life. We seriously need bees in our world. Keep them safe

On the other hand……you do need to watch out for the murder hornets as do the bees.

The bees seen here are carrying whisky, Clorox wipes, toilet paper and sanitizer into their hive 🙂

What are your thoughts on the various US States or Canadian Provinces starting to open up? I am concerned that it might be just a bit too fast. I would like to see the numbers of those infected with Covid – 19 decrease quite a bit more. I also would like to see more physical distancing in place in the general public as well as proper sanitizing put into hair salons, chiropractic offices etc. We will be holding back for a few weeks to see how things develop. Other than our day walk where we never see anyone except for a quick wave or hello, we will continue to restrict our outings to once per week for groceries. Are you ready to head out and start shopping, etc.?

Isn’t this just the sweetest?

Guess what’s for dessert tonight? Fresh baked this morning. So very very fortunate to have a bored baker in the park. Besides giving money for every baked delivery, I am going to buy sugar for her tomorrow during our weekly outing.

The rain continues to fall and the lake is visibly rising 😯

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May 11, 2020

A walk in the gardens and beyond

Part of our community gardens. The wired screens on top of the garden boxes are to prevent quail and whatever from eating the new growth.

And from the opposite corner.

For the first time ever there is a very long list of those wanting to garden. I suspect that because of the pandemic folks want to grow their own veggies. This far corner is being cleared to add some more plots.

They have already added these small boxes for those who will take a small garden.

Something is dining in this garden plot.

Could it be this snake?

This is not our garden but I do hope that Mr. Snake does not come to visit us.

We have an artist here in the park that enjoys building things incorporating stained glass. This is a bird house that has been in the gardens for a few years.

Just this spring he added a new one. This lovely birdhouse is very close to our wee garden plot and I was so pleased to see a chickadee emerge from it the other day.

I am in love with this tree. This colour of magnolia is my favourite.

At this time of year I make a point of passing by as often as I can.

We walked to the far end of the park, closer to the highway and only because of the excellent telephoto on my camera could we see these painted turtles. Colin was the first to spy a shiny colour down in the marsh area.

Hard to see because of the distance but a lovely shot with lots of colour. Next time we will take one of his cameras.

Interesting colour in the sky as well as the lake. Just another fun day here in our summer paradise.

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May 10, 2020

The flood watch has begun

Just a few days ago on May 7th our first step became covered. Previous to that we have watched our beach being covered inch by inch.

Colin is measuring twice a day and keeping a record. I don’t think he owns any shoes 🙂

As of this morning our second step is covered. From 6 pm last night to 6 pm tonight the water has risen exactly 6 inches. We had a high of 24C today and so the snow cap continues to melt. By Colin’s calculations, if the lake continues to rise at at 6 inches per day then it will start to come over into our yard in one week. Our entire yard will be flooded within ten days.

Neighbours launched their canoe elsewhere this morning but returned via our steps. They told us that the bird island is under water.

Yesterday was our first sighting of goslings. They were mid lake and this was my max zoom.

We checked the bird island out after our morning walk today. My heart is breaking. What happened to all the nests? Ducklings and goslings are just now being born or not! I can only assume that the eggs and nests drifted away. The lake has been very quiet today, I only saw two separate geese drifting along and two male ducks swimming together.

Our walk was to check out the creek running into our lake. It is moving very fast.

The snow pack it 130% of normal, higher than when we were flooded and officially evacuated in 2017. It won’t be long before the creek crests the bank onto the newly repaired golf course which was destroyed in May of 2017. You can see the snow up there still waiting to melt.

May 2017 and the front of our home.

May 2017 and the street in front of our driveway. I don’t think that I am ready to deal with another flood but what choice do I have. Colin has already compiled a flood list with his to do’s to prepare which he plans to impliment tomorrow.

Meanwhile just above the creek the beauty of nature continues. Can you see the hint of yellow here and there?

Kelowna’s official floral emblem is the Arrowleaf Balsamroot. Often offered to as the Okanagan Sunflower, a tall yellow flower native to British Columbia. It grows in the hills around Kelowna from mid April to the end of May every spring. Lovely to see at this time of year, the raging creek not so much.