Tag Archives: Canada

Commentary, nature, Photography

Red Barberry

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Red barberry is a relatively low-lying and dense shrub that has red edible fruit and green leaves that turn a brilliant crimson in autumn. I have often admired these bushes …

… until I did a little research and learned that they are an invasive species that has caused some rather serious issues.

Because they have a thick, dense thatch, they attract ticks; research indicates that this plant, more than any other, has caused the spread of Lyme disease. These bushes are also responsible for changes in soil nitrogen which in turn leads to a decline in native species.

Although they look beautiful and I love their autumn dress, they are banned in many areas – particularly because of tick infestations – and unfortunately should probably be eliminated wherever they are found.

Commentary, nature, Photography

Lakes

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Penticton sits between two lakes: Okanagan Lake at the north end and Skaha Lake at the south end.

Okanagan Lake in October.

Okanagan Lake is the much larger one; it’s 135 km (84 miles) long, from 4 to 5 kilometres (two to three miles) wide, and is as much as 230 metres (760 ft) deep in some spots. Technically, it is a fjord lake as it was created through glaciation.

An evening Okanagan Lake in mid-September.

For many years Okanagan Lake has been a hub of recreation, transportation, sustenance and employment; its 10,000 year cultural importance to the Syilx/Okanagan Nation cannot be overstated.

A moody Skaha Lake.

Penticton is built on the result of an ancient landslide that split Okanagan Lake into two, with the smaller one in the south becoming known as Skaha in Okanagan or horse lake in English.

Skaha Lake in early October.

Skaha Lake is 12 kilometres (seven miles) long and two to three kilometres (two miles) wide. Its average depth is 27 metres (87 ft), making it ideal for canoeing, swimming, dragonboating, windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing, and especially for learning these activities.

Skaha Lake in late June haze.

This relatively shallow lake warms up in the spring and summer and by August is like a big bathtub. It retains this heat well into October; we saw people swimming last week before the arrival of this week’s cold snap.

Much recreational life revolves around these lakes, even if only to sit on one of the beaches to relax or just to enjoy the view.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Delighted Duckies

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Someone stopped at the year-round duck community next to the creek to drop off some veggies and grain for them.

They were in duck dinner heaven. No scavenging for bugs tonight!

These ducks forage mostly on their own but people will supplement their diet with carrots, peas, cabbage, cooked pasta and quinoa, all of which are good nutritional choices for them. Feeding them bread or crackers really isn’t good for them as they apparently gain weight easily and this affects their ability to walk.

Happy Monday.

Commentary, nature, Photography

The Leaves Are Leafing

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Well, more accurately, leaving.

They are everywhere and in huge numbers, swirling and crunching.

I love this colourful ground detritus, a profuse panoply of underfoot leaves that bring a smile in the weather that’s beginning to turn a bit colder now.

It’s a lovely golden, red, orange and yellow mess that’s completely environmentally safe.

But good-bye summer; as we start to experience more invigorating temperatures, we’re looking forward to seeing you again soon.

nature, Photography

October Sights

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There are a mix of beautiful sights right now. Some are quite summery while others are decidedly autumnal.

The ninebark and garden grasses look very fallish, even though ninebark blooms very late in the season. One of the little pink blossom clusters is still visible.

A lovely variegated dahlia – a summery sight.

Dark red chrysanthemums lend an autumnal air.

Last but not least, a summer throwback: these roses are still vibrant and determinedly blooming away along with many others in Penticton’s rose garden.

Happy Wednesday.

Commentary, nature, Photography

A Sky Wish

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We have smoky skies right now because of another fire, but it’s nothing like the smoke, embers, and fires many others in this country are presently facing: evacuations, air rescues and lifts, loss of homes and possessions, appalling environmental damage … all I can say in the positive is that at least no one has been hurt.

Right now, Canada is facing its worse fire season in recorded history. We’re the second-largest country in the world (after Russia), almost half of that expanse is forest, and a lot of it is presently on fire. So far, an area the size of Portugal has already burned.

There are so many fires that they have to be triaged; in other words, the most threatening to human life and property get the most attention. While many fire fighters from around the world have selflessly come to help, there aren’t enough in the world to deal with all these fires; a sad and wrenching fact.

I hope the many fires we are experiencing throughout the country are soon extinguished, especially in the Northwest Territories where the damage has been extreme and the threat is still very present. Yellowknife, the capital, is now being evacuated.

Right now we need a lot of this …

followed by a lot of this …

Wish us luck. 🍀