To all my blogging friends …
… I wish you a wonderful 2024.
Happy New Year
Tag Archives: British Columbia
Duck Snacks!
M and I recently stopped to give our resident duck flock some cooked quinoa which they love. As soon as they realised we were stopping with treats, we were mobbed.
Have a ducky Saturday.
Cloudy Lake
Clouds and snow are dominating the mountains around Okanagan Lake.
I’m glad the snow is up there and not on the streets. Here, we’re looking at more rain, and I’m fine with that.
Happy Thursday.
Sleeping Vines
Shhh … we’re getting our beauty rest …
Happy Wednesday.
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.
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.
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.
Gullible
While out walking I saw a row of seagulls on a gravel bar near the lake shore.
I liked how their bright white contrasted with the blue of the water and mountains.
They almost look like a row of snowballs, but I’m really glad they’re not!
Our shadows are visible in the watery sunlight. It was only about 5C (41F), but quite windless and there was no precipitation of any kind – especially no white stuff!
Happy Monday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 