The swollen creeks and rivers are sending a lot of water into the lakes.
At present this creek looks like a river; it’s moving swiftly and delivering a lot of snow melt to Okanagan Lake. Normally it’s just a very somnolent trickle.
All that water from the many creeks and rivers is elevating the lake’s levels, a wonderful thing after the previous three years of drought conditions. This is leading to amazingly explosive growth …
… everywhere!
Happy Monday.
This creek is very near my home and I cross it frequently.
I find its cool, silvery sound very relaxing at any time of year, but right now that sense is amplified because the bordering trees are yellowing.
I hope your day is relaxed and happy.
We live near the Penticton Creek and I love to walk along its length. The trees, birds and sound of the water are all definitely very relaxing.
The creek is beginning to run quite high at the moment and all the nearby trees and bushes have leafed out or turned green, so it’s beautiful to walk there in the sunlight.
This last section of creek before it empties into Okanagan Lake is lined with cement from the early 1950s when the city leadership thought this approach would help to control flooding. That notion certainly didn’t pan out; all it did was cause a serious problem for our landlocked salmon – kokanee – to swim upstream to spawn.
Most of the creek has now been revitalised and returned to its natural state with the rest to be completed in the next couple of years. With ladders in that last bit of unrestored creek, the kokanee are beginning to return home. The picture above from last autumn shows them on their way to mountain lakes. Unfortunately, not all of them make it as you can see, but that’s how it is in the natural world.
Happy May. 🌼
All was quiet at the duck creek – a few sleepy murmurings …
… dreams of quinoa and other grains, juicy bugs and warmer weather …
… but spring is coming and they will be busy with little ones …
… dream now while you have time.
Happy Wednesday.
The duck creek is open and our resident duck flock seems to be doing fine.
They appear to have come through the cold snap pretty well with feed from the city and snacks from passersby (including us).
I’ve noticed that even the small flock of over-wintering Canada geese have been accepting food as well; they’re usually quite standoffish, but any port in a storm. They’re probably wishing that they had migrated!
Happy Tuesday.
There are lovely walking paths throughout Penticton. A favourite, nearby path is next to the creek which is undergoing restoration at the moment, but for the most part this doesn’t detract from its allurements.
It has a great night ambiance …
… and during the day as well. Some sections have lots of foliage and other parts are a bit denuded because of the revitalization project, but there will be new growth.
The holly bushes that frequently border the creek are starting to to turn red as the picture above shows. They will be completely red in time for December, but in the meantime it’s great to enjoy the comfortable temperatures and sunny days that we’re still experiencing.
Happy Tuesday.
We live across the street from this creek.
We frequently walk next to it or cross over on our way to do errands or to go for walks. It is a kokanee creek (kokanee are landlocked, freshwater salmon that are close relatives of the sockeye) that at the moment is being rehabilitated to make it easier for the fish to travel to their spawning grounds.
In the 1950s, the creek bottom was coated with concrete to more easily facilitate winter run-off, but the fish were severely impacted. Ladders were installed but they aren’t very effective. Now, the city is returning the creek, section by section, to its original condition.
Happy Saturday.
Another shot from the ride to work. A little out of the way, not far though, is this waterfall in Mount Holyoke College. Stony Brook also runs by my …
08.10.2023 Stony Brook
This gorgeous photo is from Stephen Gingold’s beautiful drive to work. He has many lovely photos posted on his blog; I hope you click on the link above for a visit.
We live near the creek that runs through Penticton, and although its name actually is “Penticton Creek,” it definitely behaves and looks more like a river at times.
Our resident mallard duck flock loves this creek and lives near the outflow end where it empties into Okanagan Lake. Everyone loves them, feeds them and fusses over them. They’ve definitely found themselves a good gig!
This creek is less than a block away from home. The lower end of it, before it empties into Okanagan Lake, is a favourite of our resident ducks.
In the twilight of a summer evening, it’s lovely to take a stroll on the path next to the creek.
The path itself is also quite lovely. Doesn’t this look like it could be Hobbit country?
Happy Friday; happy weekend.
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