Commentary, nature, Photography

Mysterious Spiral Light

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This mysterious light spiral showed up in the night sky over many parts of the north on April 16.

Photo courtesy of Talia MacDonald

Scientific researchers from several universities have said that this phenomenon was caused by unspent rocket fuel attributed to a SpaceX launch, and not to an alien invasion. 😉

If this is indeed the product of a SpaceX rocket, I find it very disturbing that Elon Musk’s company is dumping enough fuel into the atmosphere to be that visible from an estimated distance of three kilometres (1.9 miles).

Although this is an ongoing debate that’s tied up in politics and money, shouldn’t these space/satellite companies be held to the same account on pollutants as others? What do you think?

nature, Photography

Okanagan Sunflowers

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The Okanagan sunflower is prolific in the Thompson-Okanagan and in the spring can cover entire mountainsides with its pretty blooms.

The Okanagan sunflower lives mostly in the Thompson-Okanagan, but can be found in Washington State as well.

In spite of the name, it’s a member of the aster family and looks like a yellow daisy. It also doesn’t grow singly as sunflowers do but in clumps or clusters and it prefers very dry conditions. They are so bright and cheery and symbolic of warmth and good weather!

They love to bloom in conifer forest clearings.

Also known as the arrowleaf balsamroot, it is completely edible. Many animals and birds rely on it and indigenous peoples ate the leaves either cooked or raw and used the taproots to make flour. It has the additional advantage of containing many immune-boosting properties, so the Okanagan sunflower is not just a pretty face!

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Autumn Leaves in Spring

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Beech trees hang on to their leaves throughout the winter.

This beech tree had lots of leaves, but they were those of last year.

I tried to find out why beeches quite firmly keep their dry, winter leaves until the new ones push through, but there were no definitive answers.

This one had dropped all of its nuts and deer and other animals were getting some early spring nutrition, but nature’s reasons for hanging on to the leaves remains a mystery.

Sometimes, life is like that.