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* These photos are from a recent trip to nearby Apex Mountain. At 2135 metres (approx 7000 ft), it’s high enough for snow.
We were having lunch at a favourite restaurant overlooking the lake when we spied a reindeer.
In North America, reindeer are called caribou (unless they’re domesticated, in which case they‘re called reindeer – confused yet?), but they’re actually the same animal, domesticated or not.
The one above is actually a lovely little forest deer, but his appearance was very appropriate I thought, especially for December 23.
Do you like our December weather? It’s a fantastic break from all the rain!
Happy December 24.
I like how these ornamental grasses provide visual interest in the winter – as well as good ground protection for our little quail. They’re such lovely medium brown/light brown colours.
It was also nice to see the red fruit of the barberry bushes. I understand that the city is planning to remove them because they’re invasive and are causing soil issues (they also apparently provide a great place for ticks to hide, too) but in the meantime they’re definitely a bright spot of colour.
I think this could be a type of wheat grass, but I’m not sure. I liked its compact seed configuration as well as how it was undulating in the wind.
I hope you have an enjoyable Saturday.
Last Friday I posted a picture of some pretty pink poinsettias and indicated that I would post a poinsettia picture every Friday for the rest of the month.
The creamy white ones are often seen grouped with the red ones as a counterpoint, but I think they look lovely on their own, too.
It’s a very busy time of year, so safe travels if you’re making a journey to family or friends. And whatever you’re doing (or not doing) this long weekend, I hope you are happy, healthy and safe.
The Okanagan Valley is surrounded by mountains: there are sub-ranges of the Rockies to the east of us, the Coastal Mountains are to the west of us and the Okanagan range of the Cascade Mountains are to the southwest of us. It’s no surprise then that our valley becomes subject to a lot of cloud and mist, particularly in the winter.
Penticton’s elevation is 385m (1263 ft) and the mountains around us are at least another 700m (2300 ft) higher; mist and cloud are typically trapped by mountain ranges.
I love watching the interplay of cloud and light as it forms, disperses and reforms, all the while playing peek-a-boo with the sun.
Happy Winter Solstice – if you’re in the northern hemisphere, from now forward our days become longer.
The fruit of this chinaberry tree is very pretty to see during this cloudy, rainy December period.
Their lovely yellow are definitely very welcome bright spots in the overcast.
Despite their loveliness, the berries are actually poisonous to birds, animals and humans. They can be medically processed and used in the treatment of some viruses, but are otherwise of little immediate practical use.
I find this tree beautiful and have often sat under it in the summer while admiring some of the adjacent rose garden. Here’s a picture from mid-September.
The overhang at the top of the above photo is from the chinaberry tree that’s shown in the first three pictures.
Happy Wednesday.
Although winter doesn’t officially start until December 21, I think we’re close enough to now say that yup, it’s winter. In spite of the date, I’ve been noticing the great colours that are still around; they’re just less prolific.
I hope you have a good day with some colours of your own.
While out walking I saw a row of seagulls on a gravel bar near the lake shore.
I liked how their bright white contrasted with the blue of the water and mountains.
They almost look like a row of snowballs, but I’m really glad they’re not!
Our shadows are visible in the watery sunlight. It was only about 5C (41F), but quite windless and there was no precipitation of any kind – especially no white stuff!
Happy Monday.
My photos in this continuing series show our beautiful world in the hope they’ll encourage viewers to share them and help save it from human …
#ScenicSaturday 16th December 2023
A beautiful ocean scene in North Devon from Stuart Aken. Thanks for sharing, Stuart.
When we left the Caribbean the temperature was about 30C (86F); here at home it’s 5C (41F), which is a rather significant difference but completely to be expected, of course.
Another big difference is that we’re now next to a lake, not an ocean, but I love how both bodies of water can exert themselves so strongly on our lives and consciousness, even down to their colour changes.
I very much like being close to large bodies of water (I was born next to and lived my early years near the Atlantic); I find them comforting and reassuring, even when they decide to whip up some good storms.
I find it interesting that M finds the same sense of comfort and reassurance in the mountains; he was born next to the Rockies. Maybe we all have a sort of “birth set point location” that stays with us all our lives and for which we can unconsciously yearn.
Happy Sunday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 