nature, Photography

The Last Photo

10 Comments

Brian at Bushboy’s World is running a monthly challenge where he asks you to post the last photo on your SD card.

The rules are simple:
1. Post the last photo on your SD card or last photo on your phone for December.
2. No editing – who cares if it is out of focus, not framed as you would like or the subject matter didn’t cooperate.
3. You don’t have to have any explanations, just the photo will do
4. Create a Pingback to this post or link in the comments
5. Tag “The Last Photo.”

I haven’t joined this challenge before but thought it would be fun. So herewith is my last photo of 2025, completely unedited, a fiery red sunset that is illuminating some wispy clouds through the bare winter branches.

If you’re a shutterbug I hope you join in. Thanks to Jude at Cornwall in Colours who brought this challenge to my attention.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

New Year’s Eve 2025

48 Comments

It’s New Year’s Eve again and almost the end of 2025. In this country, it was definitely tumultuous, particularly on the political end, but there was some good stuff, too.

I was never much interested in big parties for December 31 and over the years have attended enough of them that I feel I don’t really have to any more.

A small group or even a good meal for two is more my speed.

In the meantime, we have been experiencing over the last three days some nice December weather. Cool but not cold, no wind and a little sun. While many parts of this country are encountering terrifically awful weather with freezing rain, gales of wind and metres of snow, we have been very fortunate here in our valley.

My very sincere thanks to all of you who follow or who simply take the time to stop to leave a comment. I’ve enjoyed our interactions. I wish you and yours good things for 2026.

nature, Photography

Calm and Sunny …

30 Comments

… and although it was a bit chilly at -2C (28F) it was quite a lovely afternoon at Skaha Lake.

I saw some people playing tennis …

… while a large family group had a fire on the beach and were celebrating a birthday.

I even saw someone preparing to go for a swim; she was wearing a full wetsuit but even so, that would not have been my thing.

Most people were simply walking, enjoying the sun, enjoying their dogs, enjoying the person walking with them.

A very satisfying December afternoon.

Happy Monday.

nature, Photography

Sunday Strolling

35 Comments

Often, when sun arrives in the Okanagan Valley in December or January, it’s accompanied by cooler temperatures. At -3C (27F) it was definitely chilly compared to what we had just had the day before with 6C (43F), but having the clear weather was still nice.

There was a cloudless sky although the wind was coming out of the north and rather brisk.

These two ducks definitely weren’t bothered, though. They had found themselves a nicely protected spot where the wind wasn’t much of an issue.

I surprised this overwintering robin from his spot among a number of other robins in their home inside a dense thicket next to the trail. They’re rarely seen – usually only heard – in winter but very occasionally I’ll see one.

The last leg of my walk took me along one of the downtown’s main streets as the light began to fade and shoppers decided to start heading home. I headed home, too, where I found some hot chocolate.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Rainy Views

18 Comments

We’re still getting lots rain although I understand that we’re supposed to get a bit of a temperature drop accompanied by some rain that will turn to snow. We’ll see. We get that projection a lot in winter but it regularly turns out to be wrong.

Here are some cloudy views from a recent walk.

The rain stopped for a bit and I grabbed the opportunity …

… to stay a bit dry while getting some exercise. A bonus was the slight glow from the setting sun …

… while another bonus were these seasonal lights decorating a patio near one of our favourite restaurants.

Happy Saturday.

Photography

Boxing Day 2025

31 Comments

This was first posted on Boxing Day, 2024 and has since been updated. The sentiment remains the same, however.

In Canada, today is Boxing Day. It has nothing to do with sport but rather with the idea of “boxing up” the leftovers from Christmas feasting (including unwanted presents) to give to those less fortunate. I was raised with the notion that Boxing Day is for providing volunteer service (I was allowed to choose – and I always chose the SPCA – but I wasn’t allowed to skip it); however, I think that that philosophy has long since disappeared.

Perhaps we ought to try to bring back Boxing Day volunteerism or other forms of giving. I am tired of the Boxing Day sales that have now morphed into “boxing week” sales – whatever those are, I’m sure you’re really not going to save anything – that are bringing into disrepute a day that used to be about selflessness and giving.

Considering the narcissistic spending focus at this time of year – something that is industriously promoted by all businesses – a little required volunteerism might go a long way to helping a great many people, including those that do the volunteering.

Food for thought.

Sometimes, life is like that.