Tag Archives: blogging

nature, Photography

December Light

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It’s that time of year when we turn to the sky or to artificial light for the brightness that many of us often crave.

Although we had very overcast conditions, the sky recently cleared enough to allow a very pink sunset. Delightful!

Alternatively, there are candles with their warm glow and the way they can generate a cozy atmosphere.

There are also seasonal lights, bonfires and fireplaces, all of which create a cheery ambience while we await the solstice and the arrival of longer daylight hours.

These festive lights can alleviate some of the chill of a December night … or at least take your mind off it!

Wishing you warm December lights.

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

I Think It’s Winter

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Although we are still escaping the snow here at the valley floor, the mountains around us have lots.

This looks like it could be mist or fog but it’s actually rain that at higher elevations is snow.

Given the time of year we don’t have a lot of colour but there’s still a bit here and there.

This cotoneaster with its red berries is a welcome sight; a nice break in the grey.

Despite the low ceiling, it wasn’t particularly cold and there was no wind. We had about 10C (50F) so it was important to wear something waterproof with a good sweater or fleece underneath.

I also found some matador roses blooming in a protected area. Their bright red provided a lovely visual lift, too.

Although there are still a few colours round and about, it has definitely, definitely morphed into winter. I think it’s time for hot chocolate.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge

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Many thanks to Beth at Wandering Dawgs who is hosting this week’s lens-artists photo challenge: wings.

Arctic flying: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

As a pilot, wings have obviously been a large part of my life, something that started with watching birds when I was very young and wishing I could fly like them. So herewith are a few of my favourite “wings” photos – of both aircraft and birds.

A juvenile yellow-headed blackbird.
Royal Canadian Air Force’s military aerobatics flight demonstration team.
Swans. I didn’t capture their landing, unfortunately.
As the sun rises, takeoff from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories over a frozen Great Salve Lake.

I very much enjoyed this challenge; I had fun looking through my archives and then finding photos I had all but forgotten.

If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists challenge, please click here.

nature, Photography

November Retrospective

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We’ve passed through November (can you believe that?) so here’s a look back at some of the beauties I saw.

November began with some spectacular sugar maple colours …

… and some beautifully blue skies, too.

An abundance of Japanese garden autumn foliage …

… like lemony yellow gingko biloba leaves …

… and fire engine red lace leaf maples.

There were some lovely sunsets …

… and very dramatic clouds …

… while the barberries …

… assembled a stunning autumn wardrobe …

… and cotoneaster shrubs did the same.

An assortment of leaves covered the ground …

… in multi-hued abandon.

The lace leaf maples gradually turned the most glorious shade of red …

… but in the end it all passed too quickly.

If I could I would slow it down, savour it a bit more, but then again, I’m looking forward to spring.

Happy December.

nature, Photography

Sunny Skaha Lake

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After 25 cm (9.8 inches) of rain recently fell on us, we had a beautifully sunny day.

For a change of scene I had a ramble at Skaha Lake, which is at the south end of the city.

It was 10C (50F) and windless, so walking conditions were pretty nice.

I encountered a group a students with their teacher who were happily enjoying a weenie roast on the beach after they had completed a hike. They were having a great time.

It was wonderful to have a break from the rain and I enjoyed every second.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

November 28’s Friday Fleurday

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Last Friday Fleurday I posted flower pictures from March, April and May; today I’m posting pictures from June, July and August. And I’m really happy about that, because right now we have cloud down to the valley floor and a lot of rain! In the mountains it came down as snow, so if you’re planning a ski trip, I know where there’s plenty of the fresh stuff! But on to more colourful things …

… like a lovely June iris …

… a very fresh daisy …

… and some lovely variegated hydrangeas.

July brought pond lilies …

… impatiens …

… many more hydrangeas …

… and lots of pond lilies, too.

While in August we had anemones …

… sunflowers …

… black-eyed susans …

… penny macs …

… and last but not least, tea roses.

I really enjoyed my little trip through the summer archive! After going for a very soggy and grey ramble today, it was lovely knowing that all these lovelies will be back.

Happy Friday, happy weekend.

nature, Photography

Snowy Lake Louise

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This very famous lake in Banff National Park also gives its name to the historic Chateau Lake Louise hotel as well as to the hamlet where many park and hotel employees live.

Lake Louise from the air showing the historic Chateau Lake Louise at the right of the picture.

Known for its milky green colour – caused by glacial run-off – and nearby hiking trails, Lake Louise is an example of iconic, must-see Canadiana.

And, to all our American family and friends, Happy Thanksgiving Day. However you choose to spend it, I hope you enjoy it.

nature, Photography

Lovely Black Maple Trees

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One of the maple species that tends to be overshadowed by the red and sugar maples is the black maple (acer nigrum). So-called because of its dark brown trunk, the black maple is a lovely shade tree.

They have a beautiful shape and in autumn, their large green leaves turn a combination of orange, red and yellow.

They are related to the sugar maples to the extent that some botanists consider them to be a subspecies and they can also be tapped for syrup.

They can grow up to 34 metres (112 ft) and will develop a dense crown which encourages people on a hot day to sit underneath with a cool drink.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Snow on the Mountains

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First we had this …

… which gave us a very early start to evening darkness. With this sort of weather, it was good to be at home with a hot chocolate!

These very dark clouds dropped a terrific amount of rain which in the mountains fell as snow.

But then we got some of this …

… which lead to being able to see the snow on the mountains. And that’s exactly where it belongs. The skiers are happy but we’re equally happy with 10C (50F) and snowless environs!

Happy Tuesday.