The Canadian red maple trees are turning.
Ranging in autumn colour from light orange to fire engine red, these trees are very hardy and thrive in a wide variety of climate and soil conditions.
Although they look lovely throughout the year, they absolutely shine during autumn. There are groves, thickets and entire forests of red maples throughout this country which is one reason why they are our national symbol.
The other reason? They’re tough, hardy and resilient. 🇨🇦
Happy Thursday.
An autumn view from above Okanagan Lake …
… as the sun struggles to push through the rainy mist …
… and finally succeeds by the end of day.
Happy Wednesday.
Right now we have treasure; a feast of golds, reds, oranges and yellows, a bounty to appreciate and enjoy.
A honey locust tree …
… and a lovely Japanese maple delight our colour senses …
… while the dark green leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree have faded and are now turning yellow …
… a cornucopia of autumn brightness.
Happy Tuesday. 🍂
and of course……..Maw I went upstream to check on the salmon run for this year? We did see plenty of dead/chewed up salmon laying about and many more …
INTRODUCING……TIK AND TOK
I hope you enjoy this gorgeous set of bear and bear cub photos from Wayne at Tofino Photography. Please click the link above.
… and gold, too.
The contrasts in colours at this time of year in the northern hemisphere can be spectacular …
… but they have to be enjoyed right now …
… as this beauty is fleeting and precious …
… and has to carry us through winter.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus
Happy Monday.
A couple of days ago we had a major storm blow through. The wind was roaring and savagely bending the trees almost to the ground while the rain whipped furiously against windows and scudded down streets. But a few hours later, voilĂ ! Sun and lovely clear air!
The wind had disappeared, the sun had come out and except for the dampness still in the air and the puddles on the ground, it was almost as if the storm hadn’t ever happened.
The sun even had a bit of power; it actually felt more spring-like than autumnal.
Okanagan Lake was strikingly beautiful in its calm and tranquil demeanour; there was no sign at all of the recent weather tantrum.
The wind did leave a reminder of its power, though. Heaps of leaves were left piled about in an explosion of colourful autumn detritus as if to say, “I’m gone for now but I’ll soon be back!”
Happy Sunday.
There are so many beautiful colours at this time of year, and not just the gorgeous leaves.
I’ve been watching these bigleaf hydrangeas since May and have seen their glorious transformations throughout late spring, summer and autumn. They’re fading now, but what a beautiful gift they have been!
And then there are the vanilla fraise (strawberry vanilla) hydrangeas. Not nearly as dramatic as the bigleaf hydrangeas, but their beautiful metamorphosis from white to pink is equally glorious. The picture below from early September shows how they have changed.
Happy Saturday.
The morning sun highlighted the creek as I got started on my early ramble …
… and brilliant autumn colours illuminated my evening walk.
Happy Thursday.
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.
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.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 