Autumn Quail

Very unusually, this family group of quail crossed a footpath in front of me. I wanted to get some photos of them and crept up very gradually behind them when they slowed down to investigate something that interested them.

I was fortunately able to get a few decent photos of these very small, very speedy little birds that startle so extremely easily.

Although their distinctive call is commonly heard in the summer, they’re not often seen as they are trying to raise their tiny young out of sight of predators and are also attempting to avoid the heat. Once autumn arrives though, I usually see them more often, but I still am challenged to try to get good pictures since they move so swiftly and avoid humans so thoroughly.

Although these 280 gram birds (10 ounces) can fly and will if they have to, they prefer to run and they sure can! They must be the avian equivalent of the Olympic sprinting team!

Happy Wednesday from the quick (and very cute) quail of the Okanagan Valley.

October Vistas

We have come through a stretch of rainy, very windy, coolish weather that at the higher elevations of the mountains, produced snow. Already! With better weather afterward, there were some good autumn scenes to be captured, though.

A warm sunset glow, despite the fact that we’re heading toward winter …

… was highlighted by mellow golden leaves …

… and fading orange light through red foliage.

Tis the season for colour.

Reblog: Time to Say Goodbye

All photos taken on May 23, 2025. Wow, just wow. We knew we loved this place, but this day of departure showed us why. Up at 5 and down to the lake …

Time to Say Goodbye

A gorgeous collection of photos taken at Jasper National Park by Allan at Photos and Stories. To see the entire set, please click the link above.

Raindrops

While out for my evening walk I experienced a very steady, windless rain. Sizeable raindrops tumbled down, giving everything a generous soak.

As you can tell from the picture above it was a bit like being in a shower!

We had a very heavy overcast, but even so, a bit of the setting sun crept through, sending hope for better weather later.

Happy Sunday.

October 10’s Friday Fleurday

Although we’re really into October now – and in Canada, Monday is Thanksgiving Day – there are still lots of autumn flowers about. Here are a few of these lovelies.

A bevy of asters …

… some vibrant chrysanthemums …

… beautiful red dahlias …

… and last but not least, vanille fraise hydrangeas that are entering their autumn pink phase.

Happy long-weekend Friday.

Autumn Ash Trees

A couple of the ash trees in the nearby lakeside park are transforming into their beautiful autumnal colours. I’ve already posted a few photos showing one of them but I think they deserve a little more coverage.

The above shows October 2 and below shows October 8. This tree morphed along significantly in less than a week!

There are actually two of these trees next to each other; they are shown here from further down the lake.

There are some chairs on the beach near these trees because that portion of the lakefront has been set aside for dogs. Owners can sit comfortably – or not as the case may be – while their dogs swim, fetch and run.

Under these two ash trees is a covered bench; it’s separated from the dog beach by a fence but you can watch the dogs play or enjoy the lake view or both.

Happy Thursday.

Bits of Autumn

Bits of autumn are beginning to abound.

The harvest moon. This isn’t the best picture I’ve ever taken – I only had my cell with me – but I like it anyway.

A very autumnal sky conveying a sense of cooler days and nights, so different from the sunlit summer clouds.

I took the above picture on October 2 …

… and then this one three days later on October 5. This tree is definitely and quickly getting into its autumn outfit!

Rows of grapevines, some covered to protect against hungry birds while they still mature. I suspect that these may be readied for the ice wine harvest which will occur in late October or early November.

Happy Wednesday.

Sometimes, life is like that.