Blizzard

The first winter storm warning was issued today. It looks like Hallowe'en may be a walk through heavy snow and blinding winds. It is not unknown to postpone Hallowe'en in arctic communities. We have had many trick or treaters in the month of November. It is hard to deny the children when they so look forward to bags of goodies and costumes. An arctic blizzard is not something that one should send one's children out into to get candy kisses.
Usually this time of year there is lots of ice and snow. The kids dress warmly and make thier rounds. The local by-law officers and the local fire department are out on the streets with spot lights. They are there to assure the saftey of our kids.
I will have to listen to the local CBC broadcast on the radio to see if Hallowe'en is postponed. If the storm is expected to last for several days then a party at the Parish Hall will most likely be organised. The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will probably have something for the kids at the Cadet Hall. We always ensure that the children enjoy the trick or treat tradition, even if it is a bit tardy. Living in the extreme climate of the far north requires a few modifications of southern traditions. Hallowe'en is not always on October 31 in Nunavut.

Low Tide. 

High tide and low tide. The tides in Frobisher Bay can be as high as 12 meters. Notice the little boat in the middle of the frame. My friends Ed and Leah had to walk out to the boat during low tide in order to stock up for a trip. They are seen leaving at high tide. 

This is what you see when you exit the airport in Iglulik. This inuksuk in Iglulik is always ready to greet people as they arrive. 

Welcome to Grise Fiord, Nunavut!

Wow! The logo on this website says Grise Fiord N.W.T.
Grise Fiord is in Nunavut not the N.W.T. Somebody should update this thing.
Anyway, someone asked me where Grise Fiord was so I am posting a link to the site. There you go.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO GRISE FIORD

Summer time near Pond Inlet. 

Arctic Char: I caught this one in my back yard. Served eight with left overs. 

A staggering variety of wild flowers blanket the tundra in the short summer. 

These arctic shrubs tend to grow around loose rocks. The branches extend like fingers around the rock seemingly holding it to the ground. 

Arctic Earwig.

We found an earwig.
Well that may not be so extraordinary to most but it is too me. This mean little insect was running happily atop a layer of arctic snow. The temperature outside was +1C. It displayed aggression and has a set of pinchers that it uses like a scorpion would use it's stinger. This little thing can really gives you the creeps!
I tried to look it up to see what species it was. I was amazed at the fact that there are so many species of earwig. Many looking harmless while some were little attack tanks. A chill ran down my spine as I learned that some could fly. I don't want to have to cope with flying little nightmares.
I had not found any examples in text, or cybertext, that would tell me the name of this creature. I tried to be more specific like searching for "arctic earwigs" in the search engines. No results.
This must be a new species. Possibly and plausibly. We wil never know. I had read that earwigs are considered pests so I killed it.