All posts by Lynette d'Arty-Cross

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

Turning Weather

20 Comments

Well, it’s February and officially still winter, so I guess Mr. Cold feels like it has a job to complete.

After several days of inaccurate predictions, Environment Canada finally got it right. Our temperature dipped, snowy rain started to fall and it felt quite cold after our streak of warmish, springy days.

I was surprised to spot these icicles hanging from a willow tree next to the lake; it seems the wind had whipped the water up and it had frozen there, creating these solid striations. Although the wind had died off by the time I went walking, it was definitely cold. My ears and nose tingling from the frost, I enjoyed getting inside again.

Happy Wednesday.

Reblogs

What should I wear? Gen if I know… #humor #

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Gen Z knows what Gen X should wear, and Millennials don’t have a clue. But I have it in my closet… I saw a story in the New York Times about …

What should I wear? Gen if I know… #humor #

I hope you enjoy this hilarious post from Barb Taub. I’ve been told what to wear since as far back as I can remember, and like Barb, I’m definitely done with listening or complying!

nature, Photography

Bird Colour

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Western bluebirds are such a fabulous shade of blue. Like robins, they are members of the thrush family and love to eat insects and berries.

Most of them migrate from points further south to the Okanagan Valley to nest but some overwinter, as well. I was very surprised to see the one above so early, but it may be that he stays all year. In any case, I was happy to get a picture of this colourful and very cute bird.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Spring You Say?

28 Comments

Yes, cautious agreement. There are some subtle signs of spring beginning to happen. The angle of the sun, bird behaviour, wind direction and temperature are all conspiring to create a springy sort of feeling here.

We might actually be leaving winter behind!

We have reached steady double digits – 10°C or more (50F) – and the sun really feels warm.

Doesn’t this look like early spring?

The rhododendrons are greening up by the day and really nudging the sense that we’re getting closer to spring and further from winter.

Of course, there will be lots more rain. We’re supposed to get some tomorrow, and given where we’ve lately been with the drought monster, some coolish rain isn’t a bad thing.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

Spring Birds

25 Comments

Over the last few days I’ve noticed that the ducks and geese are beginning to prepare for new little ones.

Canada geese.

The geese mate for life but something about their recent behaviour tells me that they’re becoming expectant; perhaps they’re waiting for the double-digit warm weather so that they can build nests and raise their young.

Hooded merganser ducks.
Coots.

At this point, the coots just seem to be eating; of course, many of them will soon be migrating to their nesting grounds.

And then we have the mallard duck crew. They’re pairing up too. Here’s a short video showing how quickly they come running and flying toward us for a quinoa snack.

Snack time!

Happy Thursday.