Tag Archives: British Columbia

Commentary, nature, Photography

Duck Duty

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While visiting our nearby Japanese Garden a couple of days ago, I saw a male duck sitting very quietly on one of the platforms set into the garden pond for the placement of a sculpture or plants.

When I got closer, I could see that there was a depression in the platform where the dirt had been pushed away and I realised that daddy duck was incubating his offspring.

Ducks form seasonal pair bonds that last until the males have to leave to find a protected spot to do their molting, usually after the young ones hatch.

The ducks have been in a bit of upheaval because their favourite little creek has been running high (a situation that’s improving for them), but this duck seems to have settled on this spot for his family.

Happy Monday. Have a ducky one.

nature, Photography

Pond Carp

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There are some very large carp in Penticton’s Japanese Garden pond.

They’re probably about 3.5 kilos (about 8 pounds), so a very healthy weight.
They’re fed well, both by the city and also by lots of people who come by for a visit. They usually swim right over for their treats.

It has been quite warm at 30°C (86F), so the pond carp are lingering in the shade and around the cooler fountain water – even when there are yummies to be had – so they must be uncomfortable.

Happy Sunday.

musings, nature, Photography

Okanagan Lake

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It’s great when friends visit. Not only do you reconnect, celebrate memories and create new ones, but you can tour them around your city or town and see it with fresh eyes.

We did that recently with old friends who stopped over for a couple of nights and had the time to see some of the sights.

Okanagan Lake provided its usual fantastic views.
Inside a maple tree.
A serene lake.

Seeing your home from a new perspective is a good thing. It reminded me of how fortunate I am to live here.

nature, Photography, Wine

Wine Country

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The Okanagan Valley is a major producer (among other things) of wine. There are 186 separate wineries; many of them have attached restaurants and small hotels or B and Bs, as well. So it’s entirely appropriate to see a sculpture such as this in one of Penticton’s parks!

A fun tribute to one of the Okanagan’s major sources of income.

As you can imagine, tourists visit the valley not only for the sun, beaches, hiking and sailing, but also for the wineries and restaurants. In the last 40 or so years, quite a food culture has sprung up around the wine industry, which is completely natural of course, and includes wine bottle sculptures!

Grape vines near Penticton

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Lower Penticton Creek

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Six weeks ago when I was last at home, the lower Penticton Creek (near where it empties into Okanagan Lake) was very placid and the ducks were happily paddling along, with maybe a Canada goose or two around as well.

But now, the creek is definitely displaying its brawnier self.

Presently, it certainly doesn’t look like the same creek. In fact, it’s not. This is a river. I expected the flow to have started dropping by now (I posted about this a couple of days ago) but it’s still barreling along, the product of snow melt from the mountains and rain down here in the valley. If anything, it’s higher.

The ducks have unhappily scattered into Okanagan Lake and I can tell that they’re not comfortable there. They would like to have their safe little creek back.

Happy Saturday.