Commentary, nature, Photography

Of Lions, Lambs and Leap Years

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An uncommon intersection is occurring today: a leap year, a lion-like in-coming March and, I hope, an out-going lamb-like March.

The last time we had a February 29 was in 2020, and I hope there isn’t a repeat of what was shortly to follow, of what had actually already started. I was still in the Northwest Territories then, and I took this picture of children having immense fun playing on a giant pile of snow that had been pushed up by road-clearing vehicles. None of us knew it then, but they were coming up to having their fun seriously curtailed. March was arriving like a lamb, but Covid’s hobnailed boots were about to teach us a thing or two. Fortunately however, we are past that.

Herewith are some lion-like March starts:

NWT: cleaning up after a huge early March storm in 2022.
NWT: an icicle, my heavy-duty truck plug-in cord and another early March clean-up, 2021.
Penticton: a leaden, windy, chilly lion-like late February sky, 2024.

Some lamb-like March departures – I like the lambs more, don’t you?

Jasper National Park: April 2, 2023.
NWT: an April 1 blue sky, 2022.
NWT: under a bright blue April 2 sky in 2021.

And last but not least:

Vancouver Island: hiking in a rainforest, March 27, 2019.

More often than not, March has done its lion- like best but has meekly disappeared by the time April arrives. Although we need a coolish, slower spring in order to facilitate our continued drought recovery – and to mitigate forest fires, too – there’s no reason why some sun and blue skies can’t be a part of that.

Penticton: May azaleas, 2023.

Happy Leap Year. It’s much better than the last one.

nature, Photography

Turning Weather

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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.

Sometimes, life is like that.