Tag Archives: Flowers

nature, Photography

Looking Back, Again

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A week ago I started a “looking back” series, where I post pictures from years ago – those that are special to me but not necessarily great. Here are a few more.

Sleeping grape vines, January, 2016.

These are from our first year in Penticton, before I decided to take a job in the Northwest Territories the following year. Like this one, that winter had been very mild, unlike the ones awaiting us in NWT.

Mountain snow melt, February, 2016.
Pacific Ocean off Vancouver Island, March, 2016.
Arrowleaf Balsamroot, commonly known as the Okanagan sunflower, April, 2016.
Grape vines, July, 2016.
From a mountain hike overlooking Okanagan Lake, October, 2016. In the distance you can see Kelowna. This area was recovering from a fire that had occurred ten years earlier; unfortunately it burned again during the severe fires of 2023.
Tamarack glory, October, 2016.

Four months later, in February, 2017, I took on the adventure of working in the Northwest Territories after deciding we would keep our home here in Penticton. We were about to become very spread out over this huge country!

Happy Monday.

nature, Photography

Rain, Rain, Go Away …

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We have some chunky rain – rain with snow crystals – falling at the moment, so I think it’s time for something a little brighter than what I’m seeing outside right now.

Penticton is smothered in a very grey, chilly and rainy overcast.

There definitely will be sights like these again, thankfully.

A late August pond lily.
Wine grapes and blue skies. Do you need much more?
A beautiful late July evening – it was about 40C (104F) that day. Can you feel the heat?
A late June rose.

I enjoyed this little colourful break. I hope you did, too, especially if you’re in the rain or snow zone.

nature, Photography

December 13’s Friday Fleurday

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Because we’re in Victoria’s very temperate climate right now, we’re seeing lots of late-flowering plants and shrubs that are absolute December delights.

Lots of very pretty, dark pink bell heather flowers everywhere …
… and a closer image.
Aren’t these pretty? I think they are a type of hesperantha, a plant that doesn’t bloom until December – if it’s in the right climate.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Clearing Skies

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Yesterday I awoke to an intense wind storm that was later accompanied by buckets of pelting rain. Later in the day though, it had cleared sufficiently for a walk.

I expected it to still be quite windy but as my walk progressed, the wind calmed and the clouds began to dissipate.

We even had a minor rise in temperature of 0.5C (that’s a 1° rise in F) for a high of 3.5C (38F). Not fantastic but seriously much better than freezing and without a doubt better than the -15C (-9F) that Yellowknife is experiencing!

I also found these dianthus (also known as sweet william) blooming prettily in a protected spot. Even their lovely scent was still noticeable.

We are supposed to get freezing rain tomorrow, but we’ll see what materialises: nothing, I hope!

Happy Sunday.