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Muskox Island, Anaktalak Bay, Labrador
Ron Webb shoving off on our way to Muskox Island.
Kurt Headrick St. John's, NL
(2.5 rating, 2 votes)
Muskox Island, Anaktalak Bay, Labrador
Our first view of the muskox
Kurt Headrick St. John's, NL
(3 rating, 1 votes)
Muskox Island, Anaktalak Bay, Labrador
Scenic Anaktalak Bay.
Kurt Headrick St. John's, NL
(0 rating, 0 votes)
Muskox Island, Anaktalak Bay, Labrador
When Ron Webb from Nain asked if we wanted to go see the muskox, we answered with an enthusiastic “yes!” In August 2010, I was part of a group of five who went with Ron in his boat to see the muskox ... click to read moreWhen Ron Webb from Nain asked if we wanted to go see the muskox, we answered with an enthusiastic “yes!” In August 2010, I was part of a group of five who went with Ron in his boat to see the muskox that lives on an island in Anaktalak Bay near the town of Nain, Labrador. I’ve seen lots of moose on the island, and in Labrador I have seen lots of caribou and bears among other animals, but few people have the privilege of being able to see these little-known inhabitants of our province.
The day was perfect for a boat trip, sunny and warm but not hot, with just enough wind to keep the bugs down. Even without the prospect of seeing a muskox, the scenery in Anaktalak Bay is beautiful. Ron identified the various waterfowl we spotted from his boat; no identification was needed for the black bear we saw. Ron regaled us with local lore, hunting and fishing stories, and what it was like in Nain and on the Bay during the “nickel rush” at the nearby Voisey’s Bay nickel mine in the 90s.
As we neared the island, Ron explained that the Muskox was first spotted on this island by friends of his about six years ago. He said there are more muskoxen living farther north up the coast, but this one hasn’t moved from its island in six years. The island, one of many in the vicinity of Nain, has a name, but everybody in Nain now calls it “Muskox Island.”
As we circled the island to see if we could spot it from the boat, I was surprised that Muskox Island was not larger. I estimate that you could walk the length of the island in 20 – 30 minutes. I pictured a large herbivore needing a larger island than that. Certainly there are many larger islands in the vicinity it could have chosen to live on, as well as the mainland. Evidently, the muskox has found its perfect retirement home, just large enough to provide for its needs, yet small enough to be aware of everything on the island, including us!
We speculated that the muskox did not leave the island because it was safe from predators there, but Ron said the wolves knew it was there. Just as the muskox walked across the frozen bay in winter, so could the wolves. The muskox looked imposing, about the size of a moose, but bulkier. Perhaps the wolves decided there were easier meals to be had elsewhere. Despite only having one horn for the last six years, Ron said the muskox has always appeared to be in excellent health. Ron’s opinion was that the muskox would be there for a long time.
Not having spotted the muskox from the boat, we landed on a small beach, and fanned out in search of it. After a few minutes of pleasant hiking on my own, I noticed Ron on the hilltop searching with his rifle scope, so I joined him. Ron knew where the muskox would likely be, and he soon spotted it on the windward side of the island.
Signaling to the others, we soon came upon the muskox. We slowly approached to within about 30 metres as the muskox kept an eye on us. After a few minutes, it slowly sauntered away. We moved to a new vantage point and spent some 20 minutes just watching it.
What pictures do not do justice to is how its coat of hair moves when the muskox walks, its long hair swaying like the skirt of a dancer. I imagined a muskox living on its own perhaps having bachelor’s syndrome, with a shaggy, disheveled, matted coat. This muskox, however, seemed impeccably groomed, and as Ron said, in excellent health.
I certainly did not want to get much closer, both out of respect for the muskox, and a healthy dose of respect (fear!) for what it could do if it got upset. I now appreciated why the wolves would leave it alone. The flies had no such reservations. Despite there being enough of a breeze that we were not troubled by bugs, there were lots of stouts clearly visible flying around the muskox. That many flies would have had me putting on a bug hat or plenty of insect repellant in a hurry, but the muskox did not seem to notice them. Its long, thick coat seemed to protect it from bugs as well as the winter cold.
We took our leave of the muskox, and carefully climbed back down the moss, berry, and flower-covered rocks to the beach for a snack. We had all brought our own snacks. Ron offered us some of his “homemade” Purity cookies. Living in St. John’s, they were certainly “homemade” to me.
The next day, I was back home in St. John’s, showing my family pictures and reflecting on the previous day’s adventure. While it may seem a world away from my urban home in town, Anaktalak Bay and its inhabitants – Inuit, bears, and muskox - are all part of a too little known corner of this beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sailing Around Central America! (2 comments) I was born in Newfoundland and raised in Labrador. When I left home 42 years ago to live in the USA, I never dreamed I'd go on a sailing vacation.
My husband, Dave, and I left in Sept. 2007. He sailed down ... click to read moreI was born in Newfoundland and raised in Labrador. When I left home 42 years ago to live in the USA, I never dreamed I'd go on a sailing vacation.
My husband, Dave, and I left in Sept. 2007. He sailed down the west coast of the USA. My daughter, Tessa, and I went east to NS for a week before taking a road trip to catch up with him.
We drove down the west coast taking in the beautiful sites and as many pubs and wineries as we could. We caught up with Dave in Santa Barbara, Ca.
We sailed down the coast and out to Catalina Island where we lost Tessa to the love of her life, Paul.
Dave and I continued down the Baja spending our Christmas in Bahia de Magalena along with nine other sailboaters. I was out of my element and wasn't too sure about this sailing on the high seas. You'd think coming from an island I'd know how to swim. Nope!
We sailed down to Cabo for New Years and on to Las Paz for six months to sit out the hurricane season. This is where we learned a new passtime - "Happy Hour." Every night a different boat would host the "Happy Hour." We sure miss them and our friends, as well.
We sailed down the coast passing up Guatemala and anchored in Barillas, El Salvador.
On to Puesto de Sol, Nicaragua where we took a trip inland to El Salvador. Fabulous!
We crossed the Papagallo into Costa Rica. The worst weather we've been in, yet. In Cost Rica we anchored at Ballena Bay, Playa del Coco, Drake Bay, Golfito and many islands. It was amazing!!
Next, even worse weather as we rounded Punta Mala, which means bad point - It was!
Finally we anchored at Toboga Island, Panama where we spent the night surfing eight ft. waves. Dave wanted to sail out where it was safe and I wanted the boat to surf onto the beach. This story is in my book.
We crossed the shipping lanes to Playita waiting to go through the canal.
The crossing took two days and there it was, the Caribbean!
We sailed and anchored at as many of the San Blas Islands as we could. We enjoyed many "Happy Hours" with others sailors there. This was the frosting on the cake. Amazing people, water, islands and warm all the time. We never wanted to leave.
We sailed up the east coast to San Andres, Colombia with our friends Barrie and Sandra on SV Passat II who sailed down from Victoria, B.C.
Next, the Island of Roatan, Honduras, Isla Mujuras, Mexico. More favourite places where we spent weeks and enjoyed every second.
Our last sail was to Fort Meyers, Florida in May 2009. It was a long and very pleasant end. I caught my last fish of the journey - a beautiful Spanish mackerel. I was a good fisherwoman. I'd catch a fish everytime I threw in the line.
We put Starshine in dry dock, loaded up a u-haul truck and with a heavy heart we drove across the country to the Pacific Northwest where we live in Winthrop, Washington. It was a wonderful journey!
Linda Rumbolt-Solie
Katimavik and Labrador Inuit Celebrate One Year in Rigolet
Rigolet, July 15th, 2010 – The Inuit community of Rigolet, Labrador and national youth service program Katimavik will be celebrating the successful completion of their first year-long partnership on August 5th, 2010. The ‘Katimaversary’ will be showcasing the community projects accomplished by ... click to read moreRigolet, July 15th, 2010 – The Inuit community of Rigolet, Labrador and national youth service program Katimavik will be celebrating the successful completion of their first year-long partnership on August 5th, 2010. The ‘Katimaversary’ will be showcasing the community projects accomplished by the youth volunteers, highlighting some of the unique cultural experiences participants received while living in Rigolet and recognizing the many efforts of community partners. The festivities will take place at the community recreation hall and run between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
“This is the first year for the ‘Cultural Discovery and Civic Engagement’ themed program across Northern communities in Canada and its success in Rigolet is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved,” says Rigolet project leader Kelsey Tonner. “It is truly staggering what fifty plus young Canadians can accomplish in a small community when volunteering for a year straight!”
“The Rigolet Inuit Community Government was very impressed with all of the Katimavik volunteers over the past year,” stated Rigolet AngajukKâk (mayor) Charlotte Wolfrey. “The young people that came here embraced our lifestyle, were eager and willing to volunteer and they left a number of lasting legacies and friendships that will flourish across the many miles of our country.”
Just a few of the many volunteer initiatives over the course of the year include painting the community church, cleaning up the boardwalk, supporting the Northern Lights Academy breakfast program, contributing to the town recreation programs, creating a homework club and supporting the community senior’s group. Projects underway for the final month include erecting new flagpoles, a town bulletin board, grassing the community field, constructing community gardens and supporting the annual Rigolet Salmon Festival.
Highlights of cultural experiences include attending an Inuit Elders Gathering, carving antler rings, trying their hand at grass weaving, moccasin making, drum dancing, Inuktitut and throat singing; trying local bakeapple and redberry sweets, arctic char, salmon, trout, caribou, moose and seal. In addition there were a number of one week or weekend billeting opportunities where volunteers were integrated into the homes and lives of families in the community.
Due to the overwhelming success of the project, Katimavik is looking at returning for a second year in Rigolet starting in December 2010.
About Katimavik
Katimavik offers youth between the ages of 17 and 21 an exciting six-month journey of discovery in two or three different regions of Canada. The program is based on the concept of service learning, which integrates both personal and professional development through volunteer work and group life. It focuses on five components: developing leadership skills, official languages proficiency, protecting the environment, cultural discovery and a healthy lifestyle. At the end of the program, each participant will have contributed an average of 900 hours of volunteer work – 35 hours a week – for non-profit organizations. Since 1977, more than 28,000 young Canadians have participated in the Katimavik program.
David and Dorothea Besaw (formerly of St. John's) moved to Chile for a two year stint and took the opportunity to experience the magic of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Easter Island is located 4000 km off the west coast of Chile in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. How the Polynesians found this speck of land and why they sculptured hundreds of Moai throughout the island adds to its mystery.
Nautica
An exciting combination of freshly picked wild Newfoundland blueberries and Shiraz grapes. The berries provide the health-boosting antioxidants and the tannins in the grape skins produce the rich colour of this delicately blended and artfully crafted medium red wine.
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