Tag Archives: natural beauty

Commentary, nature, Photography

Autumn Approaches

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While out for a ramble I heard a very distinctive sound: that unmistakable rattle of dry leaves in a gust of wind; there they were, swirling on the ground in a sure demonstration of the unstoppable arrival of autumn.

We’re still very green, but even those leaves seem to make that particular rattling sound once September arrives. It’s understandable. By turns it has been hot, dry, smoky, and windy. They’re tired.

But among all that greenery the autumnal colours are slowly creeping in. Everything in life starts small.

Although autumnal yellows are often the first colours to show, I’ve already noticed some reds, too.

The Oregon grape is changing its dress …

… while the matador roses that bloom so beautifully and unceasingly from June through August, are beginning to slump.

Summer officially ends in less than two weeks and while it’s a bit sad to see it go, autumn is a wonderful season with its graceful and stunningly beautiful characteristics. I’m looking forward to it.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

August 29’s Friday Fleurday

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I love watching the colour progression of hydrangeas as they move through the summer.

The photos above and below are from mid-July when this large, gorgeous hydrangea shrub was in its creamy white stage.

Since this is a vanilla fraise (strawberry vanilla) hydrangea however, it has now begun its seasonal change to pink.

The photo above shows the gentle start of a blushy-pink tone but as time goes along, this colour strongly asserts itself.

I like this colour contrast between the blue sky and the rosy pink hydrangea.

It’s amazing how wonderfully these flowers last and change over a period of about two to three months.

These hydrangeas will eventually fade to brown but for now they look lovely in their cream and rose pink late summer dress.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Purple Power

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Lavender loves the Okanagan Valley weather and has been growing and developing well all summer; it’s now being harvested and sold at shops or markets or it and its products are being processed and packaged for distribution all over the world.

Do you see the bees?

The glorious scent of the lavender stalls at the Penticton market can be detected far and wide.

The bees adore these plants and settle on them in their thousands, it seems. Like humans, they can’t stay away from that beautiful summery perfume and, of course, the lavender nectar.

For a while it was seen as a very old-fashioned fragrance but its sheer loveliness and usefulness has thankfully overcome that stigma.

According to aromatherapy principles and medicinal practice, lavender isn’t just a pretty-smelling face. It’s a very relaxing and calming scent that promotes sleep while a topical application of lavender oil can help heal minor wounds and a lavender tea can calm an upset stomach. Pretty great for such a simple plant.

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

It’s Warm!

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We’ve been experiencing some late August heat with temperatures in the 35ish range (96ish F). Usually we are more around 30ish (86ish F) at this time in August but if there’s one thing that most of us are noticing it’s that the weather patterns are wonky almost everywhere, it seems. Droughts in places that are usually wetter and rain in places that are usually drier!

Unlike my younger self, I just don’t handle heat very well any more. It’s not that my interior temperature regulator has retired, it’s more like it’s gone into a coma. I definitely get hot easily. I can also get cold easily. Ugh.

But I really don’t like to be hampered by this malfunction and so I gravitate to the shade, preferably near one of the two lakes that are nearby. The lake breezes are usually nice and the temperature probably a degree or two cooler. You can also swim in there too and that always helps, even though the lakes have warmed considerably!

In any case, these are some cooling water views that I’ve enjoyed over the last week or so. I hope you enjoy them too, especially if you need to cool off.

Happy Tuesday.