All posts by Lynette d'Arty-Cross

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

December Blue Hour

Dec 16, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 26 Comments

We have seen a lot of rain this autumn, much more than usual, but because of that we are experiencing some beautiful blue hours.

First recognised in French artistic circles about 200 years ago as l’heure bleue, it is a period of twilight at dawn or dusk when the sun is far enough below the horizon – between about 4 and 8 degrees – so that its blue wavelengths dominate the sky while the red wavelengths are absorbed by the ozone in the atmosphere.

In overcast or partially overcast conditions the blue light is reflected and enhanced, leading to lovely blue photos, even if the day has been grey.

I enjoyed taking these of Penticton’s Okanagan Lake shoreline. I find that the artificial lights make a good counterpoint to the blue.

Many of the boat masts at the northern marina have been decorated with seasonal lights which I thought was another lovely visual counterpoint.

On additional note, I am experimenting with a new camera which has also been fun. These pictures are some of my results.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Duckie Monday

Dec 15, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 39 Comments

We have a lot more rain coming our way in the form of another water-logged front and while out walking it was clear to me that it was on its way. The occasional breeze ruffled the lake’s surface but it was otherwise very calm and smooth with the blue-grey overcast gathering quickly.

There are lots of warnings about heavy rainfalls with the possibility of landslides in the mountains, so I think I’m just going to stick around here where it might be soggy but it’s 12C (53.6F) and as long as I have rain gear I’m fine.

The ducks don’t mind this at all, though. Bring on the rain, they quack!

For them, rain is a terrifically good thing and they can’t understand why we humans would like things to be a little drier.

Nevertheless, wherever you are, I hope you have a very duckie Monday, rain or not.

nature, Photography

Shimmer

Dec 14, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 31 Comments

We finally had a break in clouds and a little sun!

I understand that this is not for long; we will be back to our regularly scheduled monsoon-like conditions very soon.

But while it’s here, I’m definitely going to enjoy it!

Happy Sunday.

Photoblog, Photography

Rain Break

Dec 13, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 48 Comments

The almost continuous rain that we have been getting – although nothing like the inundation that the coast is presently experiencing – stopped for a bit during my afternoon ramble which made picture collecting a bit easier. Here’s a bit of what I saw.

A backlit pine cone …

… some very calm water highlighted by the merest hint of sky-pink as the blue hour settled in …

… and some lovely water reflections of both the sky and the city lights …

… while in the meantime the rhododendron buds await spring.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

December 12’s Friday Fleurday

Dec 12, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 32 Comments

I didn’t think I would find any more flowers from this year to post for Friday Flowerday but then I spotted some lovely pot marigolds in the kitchen garden next to one of our favourite restaurants. They are edible and were clearly still being used by the chef as I found where some had been cut with shears.

They were such a bright and cheery little group to see at this time of year with their sunny faces.

With all the overcast from the constant rain we’re almost totally dark by 4:00 pm, so these pretty flowers were a delightful and unexpected sight indeed.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Raindrops

Dec 11, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 47 Comments

If I waited for the rain to stop before going for a walk, I would never make it outside! So suiting up in rain gear has very frequently been the thing to do.

Here at the valley floor it’s still relatively warm with 10-ish degrees (50F) so we have a comfortable temperature despite the rain.

Everything was dripping and I’ve noticed that mosses and lichens are beginning to grow everywhere. We have been getting an extraordinary amount of rain!

Our dear duckie population has no problem with this at all, though! For them this is a sort of watery paradise.

Do you see how the rain has beaded up on the drake’s back?

The view across the lake was very, very overcast but also windless which was a nice thing. The above picture shows a small crabapple in the foreground. I was surprised to see several of them; usually the birds have eaten them by now. They look a bit like tree ornaments.

Although there’s the distinct possibility that I might grow webbed hands and feet, I’m still happy that we’re not getting snow. Definitely no shovelling!

Happy Thursday.

Reblogs

Reblog: Wordless Wednesday 12/10/25

Dec 11, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 6 Comments

Wordless Wednesday 12/10/25

A gorgeous sunset picture from Laura at Laura Roettiger Books. To see more of Laura’s lovely photography please click the link above.

nature, Photography

December Days

Dec 10, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 31 Comments

We have been experiencing a lot of this …

… fortunately punctuated by a bit of this …

… with shards of orangey-gold still to be found here and there …

… or even the gift of a little rosy red …

… and a dash of leafy medley …

… before time and wind sweep them all away.

It’s December in the northern hemisphere.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #377: Holiday Fun

Dec 9, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 42 Comments

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.

nature, Photography

Natural Art

Dec 8, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 34 Comments

Even at this time of year, there are still many of nature’s artistic endeavours to be seen. Come walk with me.

Mountain snow with blue sky; a skier’s paradise.

Some beautifully green bamboo; such a lovely surprise to see it now that all the leaves are gone.

Feathery pine needles decorate the earth.

More welcome green: bistorta affinis or fleece flower.

I like this leaf and pine needle motif quite a lot and in a post from a couple of weeks back I included a similar picture.

A birch tree that’s very reluctant to give up its leaves is a pleasant yellowy December sight.

A reflection to reflect upon.

These quackers had found something good to eat and were busily getting their fill. They were murmuring quietly to each other and really seemed to be enjoying themselves.