I didn’t think I would find any more flowers from this year to post for Friday Flowerday but then I spotted some lovely pot marigolds in the kitchen garden next to one of our favourite restaurants. They are edible and were clearly still being used by the chef as I found where some had been cut with shears.
They were such a bright and cheery little group to see at this time of year with their sunny faces.
With all the overcast from the constant rain we’re almost totally dark by 4:00 pm, so these pretty flowers were a delightful and unexpected sight indeed.
If I waited for the rain to stop before going for a walk, I would never make it outside! So suiting up in rain gear has very frequently been the thing to do.
Here at the valley floor it’s still relatively warm with 10-ish degrees (50F) so we have a comfortable temperature despite the rain.
Everything was dripping and I’ve noticed that mosses and lichens are beginning to grow everywhere. We have been getting an extraordinary amount of rain!
Our dear duckie population has no problem with this at all, though! For them this is a sort of watery paradise.
Do you see how the rain has beaded up on the drake’s back?
The view across the lake was very, very overcast but also windless which was a nice thing. The above picture shows a small crabapple in the foreground. I was surprised to see several of them; usually the birds have eaten them by now. They look a bit like tree ornaments.
Although there’s the distinct possibility that I might grow webbed hands and feet, I’m still happy that we’re not getting snow. Definitely no shovelling!
Many thanks to Ann-Christine from Leya who is hosting this week’s lens-artist photo challenge: holiday fun.
M and I are not into big seasonal celebrations or decorations but there are parts of it that we very much enjoy such as time spent with friends and family and savouring some good meals. That said, I have enjoyed a few trees and other seasonal conventions over the years.
A nice glass of Okanagan wine to go with a winter solstice meal.
This tree was in the hotel where we stayed a couple of years ago for our anniversary.
A Charlie Brown tree? Definitely and one I like a lot.
Did you know that the red, white or pink foliage of the poinsettia plant isn’t part of the actual flower? The flowers are those tiny nodules in the very centre. The coloured “petals” are really leaves.
What could be more Canadian than a game of pick-up hockey on an outside rink? This game took place on a very short December day in Northwest Territories when it was about -30C (-22F) outside.
The little Okanagan Valley quail test out a newly frozen pond.
A very northern sunset; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
Bamboo covered with wet snow; Okanagan Valley. A couple of hours later, the snow was gone.
Another December sunset; Northwest Territories.
One of the snow sculptures from the Snow King, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. This bear is literally a tree hugger.
Happy Tuesday.
If you would like to participate in this great challenge, then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge. Click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.
Even at this time of year, there are still many of nature’s artistic endeavours to be seen. Come walk with me.
Mountain snow with blue sky; a skier’s paradise.
Some beautifully green bamboo; such a lovely surprise to see it now that all the leaves are gone.
Feathery pine needles decorate the earth.
More welcome green: bistorta affinis or fleece flower.
I like this leaf and pine needle motif quite a lot and in a post from a couple of weeks back I included a similar picture.
A birch tree that’s very reluctant to give up its leaves is a pleasant yellowy December sight.
A reflection to reflect upon.
These quackers had found something good to eat and were busily getting their fill. They were murmuring quietly to each other and really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Leaf shadows on a sidewalk. I love the pattern they left behind after the sweeper had been through.
After days of bucketing rain we’ve had some glimmers of sky and sun, something to definitely enjoy in the moment since we don’t know when we’re going to see them again!
At 5C (41F) it was rather chilly but much less so than in the mountains where all that snow is residing!
Despite the clouds still blowing around a bit it was great to see the sky and know that the rain won’t last forever.
I enjoyed watching the interplay of colours among the wind, cloud, sky and setting sun, but after a bit I needed to move on as I was becoming chilled.
Some brisk walking got me warmed up again but I had a nice hot chocolate when I got home.
Although we are still escaping the snow here at the valley floor, the mountains around us have lots.
This looks like it could be mist or fog but it’s actually rain that at higher elevations is snow.
Given the time of year we don’t have a lot of colour but there’s still a bit here and there.
This cotoneaster with its red berries is a welcome sight; a nice break in the grey.
Despite the low ceiling, it wasn’t particularly cold and there was no wind. We had about 10C (50F) so it was important to wear something waterproof with a good sweater or fleece underneath.
I also found some matador roses blooming in a protected area. Their bright red provided a lovely visual lift, too.
Although there are still a few colours round and about, it has definitely, definitely morphed into winter. I think it’s time for hot chocolate.
After 25 cm (9.8 inches) of rain recently fell on us, we had a beautifully sunny day.
For a change of scene I had a ramble at Skaha Lake, which is at the south end of the city.
It was 10C (50F) and windless, so walking conditions were pretty nice.
I encountered a group a students with their teacher who were happily enjoying a weenie roast on the beach after they had completed a hike. They were having a great time.
It was wonderful to have a break from the rain and I enjoyed every second.
Last Friday Fleurday I posted flower pictures from March, April and May; today I’m posting pictures from June, July and August. And I’m really happy about that, because right now we have cloud down to the valley floor and a lot of rain! In the mountains it came down as snow, so if you’re planning a ski trip, I know where there’s plenty of the fresh stuff! But on to more colourful things …
… like a lovely June iris …
… a very fresh daisy …
… and some lovely variegated hydrangeas.
July brought pond lilies …
… impatiens …
… many more hydrangeas …
… and lots of pond lilies, too.
While in August we had anemones …
… sunflowers …
… black-eyed susans …
… penny macs …
… and last but not least, tea roses.
I really enjoyed my little trip through the summer archive! After going for a very soggy and grey ramble today, it was lovely knowing that all these lovelies will be back.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 