Beautiful garden photos from Jenn at Still Bitchy after 60. Please click the link above to see more of her lovely garden pictures.
Tag Archives: life
Bridge over the Creek
We live near Penticton Creek and one of its pretty foot bridges.
Usually, this creek is now down to a little dribble, but because we had a wet autumn followed by a wet winter and then a wet spring, this creek has been very full and running swiftly.
And all that very welcome rain – we had been experiencing a three-year drought – has turned the little creek into something of a river, especially where it widens out to empty into Okanagan Lake.
I often stop to admire it, to listen to its gurgling and to enjoy all the trees growing near it …
… trees that are very verdant this year because they have had lots of water …
… and to also enjoy the flowers that occasionally grow there, too.
Happy Monday.
Yucca Plants
Here in the Okanagan Valley we are geographically at the northern most tip of the Sonoran Desert. As a result, parts of this region can be classified as semi-arid desert. This is one of the reasons why wine grapes do so well here!
We also see many desert plants that might seem unusual for this area but really aren’t; one of these is the yucca. The indigenous peoples of this area consumed yucca plants for their nutritional qualities but also knew about its ability to ease arthritis and often used it for that purpose.
Recent studies have found that it also boosts the immune system and protects against sun damage and diabetes. It’s a rather odd-looking plant with its spindly stalks and huge, bell-shaped flowers, but it contains many health-supporting qualities.
Happy Sunday.
Stragglers
With so many little ones to look after, mama ducks sometimes have a lot to do!
This mama had to go back to encourage the two stragglers to come along after their four siblings zoomed ahead. You can see them in the upper right corner of the above photo.
In very low and gentle tones, she murmured to them and then made sure that they joined their sisters and brothers who had gone ahead.
This duck mama has done an excellent job of keeping her little brood safe. I see them almost daily as she shepherds them around a small pond, keeping them quite protected from predators.
Happy Saturday.
The War Goes On – Ambulance to Ukraine.
There is a possibilty…..I may be able to drive a donated ambulance to Ukraine from London. BELIEVE ME…. It wasn’t my intention! ! It wasn’t my idea!…
The War Goes On – Ambulance to Ukraine.
Bronlima at Wanderings! has posted this very timely piece about a charitable organisation that raises money for and then buys used ambulances to ferry to Ukraine. Please click the link above to read more about this very worthwhile project; it would also be greatly appreciated if you considered reblogging to spread to word!
Good luck to Fiona and the Allen Trust for your continued success with this project!
June 20’s Friday Fleurday
This time of year is so beautiful that choosing some flowers for fleurday can be rather difficult, but nevertheless, and since today marks the solstice, some choices had to be made. So in the solstice spirit, here’s today’s bouquet!
A very fresh daisy …
… a lovely matador rose …
… pretty pansies …
… and last but not least, some very delightful and very fragrant wild orange.
Happy Friday.
A Mountain Lake
I post lots of pictures of Okanagan Lake since it’s very close and I walk next to it almost every day.
But as I’ve written before, Penticton sits between two lakes; the other at the south end of town is called Skaha. It’s smaller and shallower and as result the swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding and other activities that might lead to a dunk in the water start there earlier because it warms so much faster. Despite the fact that it’s a mountain lake, by the time the end of July arrives, Skaha is about as warm as bath water!
Since moving from the south end of town, we don’t often visit Skaha, but it has a beautiful beach and very calm summer waters.
We recently did a short hike across one end of it and marvelled at how pretty it is; we may do a beach visit a bit later this month before it becomes really busy.
Happy Wednesday.
Green and Serene
Research has shown that green is a calming colour, especially the green shades that are found in nature. I think this is very true, because I always feel better when I’ve had a little time outside.
Kermit the Frog sang about how it’s not easy to be green, but it’s certainly healthy for us to be surrounded by it!
Happy Tuesday.
Reblog: The Sleeping Waters
The Sleeping Waters
A serene and tranquil picture from Peerless Cynic. Please click the link above to see more of Peerless’s beautifully peaceful photography collection.
Marmotville
I’ve posted occasionally about the marmot community that lives among the breakwater boulders next to the lake; here’s an update.
Over the last couple of years their colony has grown significantly; it would be an understatement to say that they are doing well!
They have expanded from a relatively small group in a confined portion of the breakwater into the rest of the boulders lining the water’s edge; about 400 metres (1000 ft) or so.
They are eating very well as lots of people are bringing them oodles of vegetables and dandelions – their favourite – too. And they are also becoming a bit of a tourist attraction, as well. People love to stop to take photos.
But I would also say that they’re getting too accustomed to being fed. A few days ago, and for the first time ever, I had a marmot leave the safety of his boulder home to approach me on the footpath for food.
Standing on his back legs, he stared beseechingly at me!
I have been known to feed the ducks during the winter, but I don’t believe in feeding wild animals during the summer. The marmots hibernate and emerge fully when there’s lots available to eat, so I don’t feel that they need any help.
Marmots are incredibly endearing little animals and it’s tempting to feed them, but I’ve seen people allowing them to sit on their laps and to scamper all over their shoulders and backs which for the most part isn’t an issue unless something goes wrong.
Marmots are wild animals and can carry ticks, rabies, and fleas. I would hate to see this colony removed because someone has been bitten, and all because an adult has thrown caution to the winds. It’s unfortunately always the animals who pay the price because humans don’t know how to behave.
Whenever I see people sitting among them, I mention that marmots carry ticks, fleas and rabies, and they usually move away, but maybe it’s time to post a sign reminding people of this and also that in the summer, marmots are perfectly capable of feeding themselves. It’s in their best interests and really, in ours, too.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 