Tag Archives: Nature Photography

nature, Photography

Okanagan Swans

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I had heard that swans will overwinter in the Okanagan Valley but I had never seen them here before, either in the summer or the winter. I was happy to spot this little family a few days ago. They seem to be two parents with their juvenile or cygnet.

All that flying means that they have to do some serious grooming. I can hear their conversation now!

Impatient swan: I’ll guard, you two get cleaned up!

Impatient Swan: Okay, you look clean now. Time to go!

Calm Swan: But darling, we’re swans. You know how important it is for us to maintain our image.

Impatient Swan: Okay, but you two look great. Let’s get going before all those Canada geese arrive. They’re so grumpy and mean and they always travel in gangs.

Calm Swan: Darling, you need a break. You’re the grumpy one, you know. Don’t worry about those geese. After all, they’ll never look as good as us. I’ll take point and you can rest your feathers.

Impatient Swan: Okay, I do feel tired. It’ll be good to rest and settle in for a while. How do I look?

Happy Tuesday!

nature, Photography

Above Osoyoos

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Osoyoos is a community at the southern end of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and is directly next to the border with the United States. It’s only 60 km (37 miles) south of us from Penticton. We recently visited and took some photos of it from Anarchist Mountain, which at 1491 metres (4892 ft) above sea level provides some excellent views.

A southwestern view of Osoyoos Lake with the United States in the distance.
A western view of the lake with the Monashee Mountain range in the background.
And another western view but a bit more northerly.
Looking more toward the north.

Osoyoos is at the northernmost tip of the Sonoran Desert and can be extremely hot during the summer; it’s quite arid year-round. It’s known for its fruit orchards and the dry conditions also produce some stellar red wines. It’s a great place for outdoorsy summer holidays with lots of boating, swimming, camping and hiking and is definitely worth a visit if you like those activities – with maybe a nice glass of wine in the evenings!

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

November Sunset

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The sun starts to go down quite early now. I was out for my regular afternoon ramble and to my surprise – I really shouldn’t have been – saw the sun beginning its sink at 3:22 p.m. Given that we have mountains all around, we are totally dark by about 4:30. My, that really is early!

The sunset felt wintery, too. The thin, veil-like cloud, the slight chill from the wind and the tint of the sunset itself all contributed to that sense.

But it’s November. A little bit of a wait, but I’ll nevertheless soon be counting down to spring!

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

November 8’s Friday Fleurday

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Although it’s November we still have quite a variety of flowers contributing their lovely presence to the autumn riot of colour.

These Japanese anemones are still doing well among the leaf litter.
A pretty dahlia; this one was growing in a kitchen garden.
Although the public rose garden has been put to bed for the winter, there are many matador roses around in the city parks.
Asters are always a welcome sight.
There are lots of sunflowers everywhere, too. The birds will appreciate this!
A couple of days ago I found this rhododendron bloom that was breaking its dormancy. There were additional buds on this bush that were also beginning to bloom, but another bush nearby showed no sign of “spring confusion.” I hope it goes to sleep again as it’s not time yet!

Happy Friday, happy weekend.

nature, Photography

Ginkgo Trees

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The ginkgo biloba trees turn a lovely yellow in autumn.

Their fan-shaped leaves are beautiful, either in green or yellow.

They usually assume their golden hue very suddenly, almost overnight, and then the leaves fall quickly, too.

When they change colour they have to be enjoyed in the moment; there’s definitely no waiting!

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Japanese Garden Tour

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The Japanese Garden is very pretty all year as it cycles through the seasons, but right now it’s decked out in autumn loveliness.

Rhododendron and azalea bushes.
Japanese “Fullmoon” maple.
Japanese maple in the foreground.
Across the pond.
The koi are still active although they’re beginning to slow down and will soon go into dormancy.
Ginkgo biloba leaves festoon a hedge bush.
A last look.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Weather Change

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We have been getting quite a bit of rain lately, which has been terrific for two reasons. First, we’re gradually climbing out of our drought, and secondly, at the higher elevations it’s coming down as snow, which is a good thing for all the skiers and ski resort operators. Our nearby ski mountain, Apex, is apparently developing a good base layer.

If you look straight down the lake toward the low mountain at the other end, you can see some higher elevation snow.
As a result, the overcast, while not my favourite weather pattern, definitely has some advantages hidden in its silvery clouds.

As long as we continue to get rain down here in the valley, I’m very happy to welcome the mountain snow, even though driving conditions in the passes become demanding.

No one has ever had to shovel rain out of a driveway!

Happy Sunday.