nature, Photography

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #377: Holiday Fun

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Many thanks to Ann-Christine from Leya who is hosting this week’s lens-artist photo challenge: holiday fun.

M and I are not into big seasonal celebrations or decorations but there are parts of it that we very much enjoy such as time spent with friends and family and savouring some good meals. That said, I have enjoyed a few trees and other seasonal conventions over the years.

A nice glass of Okanagan wine to go with a winter solstice meal.

This tree was in the hotel where we stayed a couple of years ago for our anniversary.

A Charlie Brown tree? Definitely and one I like a lot.

Did you know that the red, white or pink foliage of the poinsettia plant isn’t part of the actual flower? The flowers are those tiny nodules in the very centre. The coloured “petals” are really leaves.

What could be more Canadian than a game of pick-up hockey on an outside rink? This game took place on a very short December day in Northwest Territories when it was about -30C (-22F) outside.

The little Okanagan Valley quail test out a newly frozen pond.

A very northern sunset; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Bamboo covered with wet snow; Okanagan Valley. A couple of hours later, the snow was gone.

Another December sunset; Northwest Territories.

One of the snow sculptures from the Snow King, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. This bear is literally a tree hugger.

Happy Tuesday.

If you would like to participate in this great challenge, then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge. Click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.

42 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #377: Holiday Fun”

  6. You found an amazing selection Lynette. Like you, we are not much into the over the top commercialism of the season, but we are not beyond a bit of nostalgia and seasonal warmth. Have a wonderful day. Allan

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    1. Thank you very much, Allan. It was fun looking through them all. Yes, we like to experience a bit of nostalgia and some of the seasonal conventions but overall find the entire thing excessive in so many ways including the whole Black Friday/Week/Month.

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    1. Thank you very much, Belinda. 😊 I was almost lying down on the ground to get that as the sun was so low in the sky, a situation that one of my knees really hated but I’m happy that it turned out so well. I also like that Charlie Brown tree a lot.

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    1. Thank you and you’re very welcome, John. 😊 Yes, it is very beautiful but people also have to be ready to tolerate the serious cold in winter and the heat in summer (because of the 24 hours of daylight). Cheers.

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    1. Thank you very much, Tricia. I like that tree too and was delighted to see the tree-hugger bear. The man (the Snow King) who does these snow sculptures every year (on the surface of a frozen lake next to an ice road) definitely has a sense of humour. He also builds a huge snow castle that’s open and free for exploration. It’s amazing.

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  17. Lovely set of captures to showcase the beauty over the holidays. Those December sunsets really are spectacular. I didn’t know that about poinsettias and how the colourful petals are actually leaves.

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    1. Thank you very much for your lovely comments, Linda. I remembered reading that about poinsettias a long time ago and when I was organising this post that bit of info popped into my head. I looked it up to confirm what I remembered and yes, those tiny little nodules at the very centre of each “bloom” are the actual flowers. Given how small they are, I guess nature gave them some attractive leaves to compensate!

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  18. Oh my, winter, real winter! Lucky you! I particularly like the Charlie Brown tree and the tree hugging bear. But, the Okanagan Valley quails I would frame and have on my wall. Perfect beauty.

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    1. Oh yes, you can find real winter in this country, all the way to the Arctic Circle! I worked in the Northwest Territories for seven winters (above 60° N latitude) but am now retired to the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia where winters are very mild – we don’t usually get snow but rather lots of rain. I figure I earned it. 😊

      So, real winter is definitely available if we want to experience it – we’re surrounded by mountains – but after all that time in the often -40 conditions of NWT we usually don’t want to. 😊

      Thank you very very much for your lovely comments and for taking the time to stop by. The little quail are such cute birds. Cheers.

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