All posts by Lynette d'Arty-Cross

Loving life through photography, hiking, walking, good food, wine and travel.
nature, Photography

May 9’s Friday Fleurday

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British Columbia’s provincial flower is the Pacific dogwood …

… which despite the unflattering name is a gorgeous, spring flowering tree with blooms in pink, pinkish-white, white and greenish white.

The “petals” are actually bracts, a type of leaf that forms around the actual blooms which are the tiny circular clusters in the centre.

Although the Pacific dogwood can be found in various shades of pink or pinkish-white, British Columbia’s official flower is the white one.

Right now the flowers can be seen everywhere here, another of the lovely, blooming trees that are so prolific at this time of year.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Triplets

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I have often seen these three marmots together, surveying their surroundings, snacking on vegetables or just sunning themselves.

They likely are juveniles from last year and probably siblings.

This picture from last June shows the same three – I think – when they were only a couple of months old.

They do like to be together and are very protective of each other, too, although that’s a natural trait of the marmots.

It was a lovely spring day for them to be outside enjoying the weather and surveying their domain.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Bright Bloomers!

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Here’s a little stroll through some of our bloomers from the last three weeks. 🌸

Gorgeous April violets with their heavenly scent.
An elegant mid-April tulip.
Lovely lilacs – in the area where I found these there are several very established bushes; their perfume was permeating the air.
A May delight: alyssum “basket of gold.”
May’s pretty in pink phlox.
April pansies – some of the prettiest faces ever.

I hope you are enjoying your bloomers, too! 🌼

Reblogs

Reblog: Patience

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It takes centuries to grow an ancient woodland. A springtime to grow blossom. Eight minutes for sunlight to reach Earth. Eight years for a white …

Patience

A beautiful walk through the English woodland from Adele at Walk with Wildlife. Please click the link above to see the rest of this lovely nature post and the many others available on Adele’s blog.

nature, Photography

Tree Snow

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This year the crabapple trees are literally covered in beautiful, mildly scented blossoms that are a joy to behold.

A nearby public garden has about 20 of these trees.

A recent bit of wind has caused many, many of their petals to start falling and drifting …

… covering the ground and the surface of a nearby pond in a lovely floral carpet.

The bounties of spring are innumerable; a promise of things to come.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Saturday Scenes

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A marmot couple …

… and a rhododendron …

… together with some snowflakes … Wait, snowflakes?

Actually, no. These are petals from two rows of crabapple trees!

And finally, a restful view.

We have 28 C (82 F) so it feels more like early summer than spring, but we’re expecting rain, a good thing after our string of warm days. Regardless of the weather, I hope that wherever you are, your day is going well.

nature, Photography

It’s Friday Fleurday!

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Two weeks ago I found a late blooming magnolia tree that was in a protected but north-facing location. As a result it was only getting early-morning sun and this was slowing its blooming period.

This tree is on one of my favoured daily ramble routes so I was delighted to keep a watch on its progress.

Covered in flamboyant, lush and beautiful blooms, it’s a real showstopper.

Each bloom is a delicate pink that fades to a soft white at the tips.

Magnolias are ancient; they are a part of the fossil record from 20 million years ago and are native to Asia.

It’s thought that they evolved to be pollinated by beetles as they existed before the evolution of bees.

Whatever their background, they are a stunning addition to the pantheon of spring blooms.

Happy Friday.