Shhh … we’re getting our beauty rest …
Happy Wednesday.
Sleeping Vines
#ScenicSaturday 23rd December 2023
My photos in these continuing series show our beautiful world with the aim of encouraging viewers to share them and help save our unique home from …
#ScenicSaturday 23rd December 2023
A beautiful waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales photographed by Stuart Aken. Clicking the link above will take you to his blog where he has posted many more of his gorgeous landscape pictures.
Season’s Greetings
To everyone who has stopped by …
… taken the time to comment …
… or to follow …
… thank you. Your visits are very much appreciated.
* These photos are from a recent trip to nearby Apex Mountain. At 2135 metres (approx 7000 ft), it’s high enough for snow.
Reindeer
We were having lunch at a favourite restaurant overlooking the lake when we spied a reindeer.
In North America, reindeer are called caribou (unless they’re domesticated, in which case they‘re called reindeer – confused yet?), but they’re actually the same animal, domesticated or not.
The one above is actually a lovely little forest deer, but his appearance was very appropriate I thought, especially for December 23.
Do you like our December weather? It’s a fantastic break from all the rain!
Happy December 24.
Winter Plant Wonders
I like how these ornamental grasses provide visual interest in the winter – as well as good ground protection for our little quail. They’re such lovely medium brown/light brown colours.
It was also nice to see the red fruit of the barberry bushes. I understand that the city is planning to remove them because they’re invasive and are causing soil issues (they also apparently provide a great place for ticks to hide, too) but in the meantime they’re definitely a bright spot of colour.
I think this could be a type of wheat grass, but I’m not sure. I liked its compact seed configuration as well as how it was undulating in the wind.
I hope you have an enjoyable Saturday.
It’s a Poinsettia Time of the Year, 2
Last Friday I posted a picture of some pretty pink poinsettias and indicated that I would post a poinsettia picture every Friday for the rest of the month.
The creamy white ones are often seen grouped with the red ones as a counterpoint, but I think they look lovely on their own, too.
It’s a very busy time of year, so safe travels if you’re making a journey to family or friends. And whatever you’re doing (or not doing) this long weekend, I hope you are happy, healthy and safe.
Mountain Clouds
The Okanagan Valley is surrounded by mountains: there are sub-ranges of the Rockies to the east of us, the Coastal Mountains are to the west of us and the Okanagan range of the Cascade Mountains are to the southwest of us. It’s no surprise then that our valley becomes subject to a lot of cloud and mist, particularly in the winter.
Penticton’s elevation is 385m (1263 ft) and the mountains around us are at least another 700m (2300 ft) higher; mist and cloud are typically trapped by mountain ranges.
I love watching the interplay of cloud and light as it forms, disperses and reforms, all the while playing peek-a-boo with the sun.
Happy Winter Solstice – if you’re in the northern hemisphere, from now forward our days become longer.
Winter Berries
The fruit of this chinaberry tree is very pretty to see during this cloudy, rainy December period.
Their lovely yellow are definitely very welcome bright spots in the overcast.
Despite their loveliness, the berries are actually poisonous to birds, animals and humans. They can be medically processed and used in the treatment of some viruses, but are otherwise of little immediate practical use.
I find this tree beautiful and have often sat under it in the summer while admiring some of the adjacent rose garden. Here’s a picture from mid-September.
The overhang at the top of the above photo is from the chinaberry tree that’s shown in the first three pictures.
Happy Wednesday.
Flowers On The Rooftop
‘Flowers On The Rooftop’ … far flung vistas with floral framing, fabulous!…
Flowers On The Rooftop
Colourful Roman rooftop flowers from Ebb Then Flood. Please click the link above to see more of his great pictures.
Winter Colours
Although winter doesn’t officially start until December 21, I think we’re close enough to now say that yup, it’s winter. In spite of the date, I’ve been noticing the great colours that are still around; they’re just less prolific.
I hope you have a good day with some colours of your own.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 