Tag Archives: Canada

nature, Photography

Tobermory

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We drove from Markham (near Toronto) to Tobermory for our ferry trip across the mouth of Georgian Bay (off Lake Huron) to Manitoulin Island.

We had a restful evening at a very comfortable inn before our early morning departure. The ferry was in port in preparation for the next day.

After our evening meal and walk back to the inn, the sun began to go down.

The next morning dawned chilly but calm.

We passed the light house as we departed for our two-hour ferry ride to Manitoulin Island.

After a very smooth crossing, we continued our road trip, stopping often for rambles and photos.

Happy Wednesday.

Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

Winter Lake

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When we left the Caribbean the temperature was about 30C (86F); here at home it’s 5C (41F), which is a rather significant difference but completely to be expected, of course.

A cold-looking Okanagan Lake.

Another big difference is that we’re now next to a lake, not an ocean, but I love how both bodies of water can exert themselves so strongly on our lives and consciousness, even down to their colour changes.

I very much like being close to large bodies of water (I was born next to and lived my early years near the Atlantic); I find them comforting and reassuring, even when they decide to whip up some good storms.

Breaks in the cloud cover allow shafts of sunlight to shine on an opposite bank – a beautiful effect.

I find it interesting that M finds the same sense of comfort and reassurance in the mountains; he was born next to the Rockies. Maybe we all have a sort of “birth set point location” that stays with us all our lives and for which we can unconsciously yearn.

Happy Sunday.

Commentary, Milestones, nature, Photography

What a Difference a Year Makes!

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I was recently thinking about where I was this time last year, both literally and figuratively.

November 7, 2022, Northwest Territories. A relatively small snowfall covering my truck.
November 28, 2022, Northwest Territories. The eaves of my house over the living room windows.

2023

I didn’t have a November 7 picture from this year, so here is November 9, 2023, Penticton, British Columbia.
November 28, 2023, Dominicana. Sand, but no snow!

I loved working in the Northwest Territories, but I am happy to be where I am now – a lot warmer, whether that’s Dominicana or Penticton.

nature, Photography

Hello Rockies; Hello Home

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As we returned to British Columbia from our holiday, we had beautiful weather over the Rocky Mountains before arriving in the Okanagan Valley. It’s not often that such clear weather occurs in December over the mountains, so I felt lucky to see this fantastic sight.

Approaching the Rocky Mountains from Calgary.
Viewing in quiet appreciation …
… of this truly spectacular sight …
… an amazing wonder of our beautiful world.

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

November Roses

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Penticton’s rose garden was still blooming just before we left for our holiday.

Not long after I took these photos, the gardeners did an autumn trim on all the other flowers and then followed up with the roses.

It’s lovely to have such gorgeous flowers blooming so late in the season, but they eventually had to be bedded down for their winter rest.

They will soon be back.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

Cloudscapes

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I enjoyed watching these cloud layers unfold themselves.

Capricious and swirling, they were never the same from one moment to the next, a sometimes very human characteristic.

Given the frequency with which we describe weather as moody, angry or brilliant, we should perhaps change how our weather forecasts are expressed: “wear your coat, it’s angry today” or “bring along the sunscreen; it’s brilliant today.”

Might be a problem for Environment Canada, though.

Happy Sunday.