nature, Photography

Switch Flip

26 Comments

About ten days ago, we were enjoying a very serene, lovely autumn, even the wind was resting …

… and the ducks were contentedly paddling along …

… the sun was warm but there was also an invigoratingly cool suggestion in the air, like momentarily seeing your breath above a glass of ice water.

Warm, beautiful colours abounded, but then …

… a seasonal switch was flipped and we headed into late autumn or more likely, early winter.

We are turning with the sun while everything rests, but we will be ready when spring arrives again.

Happy Monday.

nature, Photography

It’s Definitely November

30 Comments

Right now we have a major storm blowing through which is certainly not unexpected in November. The best part is that here in the valley bottom we’re only getting rain, no flakes! I was going to post a picture of our very misty and overcast surroundings, but decided otherwise. We’ll be seeing lots of that soon enough! Here’s one from a couple of days ago when the weather was much better.

And just because it’s so beautiful, here’s one of a lace leaf maple, shining in its glorious autumn dress.

And last but not least, since it’s rather chilly, dark and rainy with lots of snow falling in the mountains, I’ll leave you with this tranquil scene.

Happy Sunday and if you’re in the storm zone, stay warm!

nature, Photography

Is It Spring or Autumn?

25 Comments

After our blustery, rainy series of days, the weather cleared up and today we had sun. It in fact felt a bit spring-like …

Okanagan Lake

… except for the autumn colours …

Autumn birch tree
Autumn poplar tree

… and the fact that we apparently have another storm on the way that will probably be making the skiers very happy. There’s supposed to be a lot of snow in the mountains but falling as rain here in the valley which suits me just fine!

Autumn maple tree.

Happy weekend.

nature, Photography

November 14’s Friday Fleurday

48 Comments

Amazingly there are still quite a number of hydrangeas about although most have packed it up for the year and are headed into their seasonal rest.

This “penny mac” hydrangea is definitely still doing well.
These blooms are on the same plant as the bunch above. It’s interesting how some hydrangea blooms will revert to alternate genetic material.
The leaves on this panicle hydrangea are turning yellow but the blooms are still vibrant.
Another pretty penny mac.
This hydrangea is getting ready to rest until spring. Only the tip is still awake!

They will soon be gone but will start returning in early spring. Looking forward to it.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Leaves

25 Comments

There have been lots of leaf pictures around WP as we’ve progressed through autumn. And why not? It’s such a beautiful time of year and many people quite enjoy the colours and cooler temperatures. So herewith are some recent leaf collections.

A leafy park bench.
Honey locust trees.
Bedraggled maple leaves.
A garden bed strewn with colourful cast-offs.

And last but not least, our weather has been rather more wintery than autumny …

A view of a very restless and moody Skaha Lake. I managed to avoid the rain that arrived a bit later.

… so it’s best to enjoy our remaining leaves while we can!

Happy Thursday.

Reblogs

Reblog: Random Acts? #humor #kindness

6 Comments

Happy World Kindness Day (November 13) Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is …

Random Acts? #humor #kindness

I enjoyed reading this piece from Barb Taub; she reminds us that kindness comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Please click the link above to read the rest of her post.

nature, Photography

Windy and Wet

19 Comments

Over the last couple of days it was intermittently windy and raining.

The gulls were huddling near the shore; it wasn’t a great day for flying.
And although it was very grey, this was offset by some great autumn colours.
Orange, red and yellow leaf litter.
A red lace maple next to a green autumn rhododendron.
A transitioning maple tree.
A view from our deck, pretty nice despite the rain and overcast.
And last but not least, another lace maple with its gorgeous fire engine red fronds.

Happy Wednesday.

Reblogs

Reblog: Reddish Rainbow

14 Comments

Reddish Rainbow I thought this was a little unusual for a rainbow … lots of the reds and not so much (if any) blues and greens. This is looking …

Reddish Rainbow

I love this amazing and very unusual rainbow photo from Allan J Jones Photography. To see more of Allan’s beautiful pictures, please click the link above. His site is well worth a visit.

nature, Photography

Okanagan Swans

53 Comments

I had heard that swans will overwinter in the Okanagan Valley but I had never seen them here before, either in the summer or the winter. I was happy to spot this little family a few days ago. They seem to be two parents with their juvenile or cygnet.

All that flying means that they have to do some serious grooming. I can hear their conversation now!

Impatient swan: I’ll guard, you two get cleaned up!

Impatient Swan: Okay, you look clean now. Time to go!

Calm Swan: But darling, we’re swans. You know how important it is for us to maintain our image.

Impatient Swan: Okay, but you two look great. Let’s get going before all those Canada geese arrive. They’re so grumpy and mean and they always travel in gangs.

Calm Swan: Darling, you need a break. You’re the grumpy one, you know. Don’t worry about those geese. After all, they’ll never look as good as us. I’ll take point and you can rest your feathers.

Impatient Swan: Okay, I do feel tired. It’ll be good to rest and settle in for a while. How do I look?

Happy Tuesday!

Commentary, Photography

Remembrance Day

37 Comments

In Canada, today is Remembrance Day. The tradition is to wear a poppy pin in recognition of our war dead and to stop at 11:00 a.m. to reflect upon their sacrifices, often through a non-denominational and non-religious service at the community war memorial.

The poppy symbol found its origin in a poem – In Flanders Fields – written by John McCrae, a Canadian doctor who died during World War I. His memorial poem reflects on the huge numbers of dead and on the poppies that grew where they were buried.

Since WW I, the poppy has gone on to become a symbol of remembrance for the war dead of a number of countries, including the UK.

Usually, a projection of falling poppies representing our fallen soldiers is displayed on the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. Except for the striking of the clock, it’s a silent, solemn memorial with each falling poppy representing a Canadian soldier who has died in battle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYYEWbiXDuM

I hope that some day, we will have peace, and we will learn how not to add any more falling, blood-red flowers.

Sometimes, life is like that.