Tag Archives: nature

nature, Photography

Colourful Barberry

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Barberry can show an interesting autumn colour palette. Some shrubs turn a uniformly scarlet red while others develop multi-hued leaves.

I love the mixture of red, pink, yellow and green shown here but barberry can also be quite purplish as you can see from the featured photo.

I always wish that autumn could last a bit longer so that we could really take in the colours but of course we humans in that case probably wouldn’t enjoy it as much!

I find these red-speckled autumn barberry leaves lovely. They’re decaying, but they’re displaying so much beauty, too.

A faded ginkgo biloba leaf is caught in the barberry shrub, making for a lovely colour counterpoint.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Clearing Skies

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We’ve had a lot of rain – and wind, especially – lately, so it was fantastic when the wind started to die off and the skies began to clear.

Our autumn weather has been definitely interesting; most of September was hot and windy with daily temperatures around 35 or so (95F) but then it suddenly turned and became rainy and windy!

Although we’ve had the odd day or two of good weather, the wind and rain have really dominated … did I mention the wind? 😉

However, we are supposed to be entering a stretch of sunny, windless days with temperatures around 13 or 14 (55-57F); very comfortable for November!

I was very happy to go out for my ramble to see the sky clearing … and joy of joys! No wind!

Happy weekend.

nature, Photography

November 7’s Friday Fleurday

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It’s the first fleurday of November but I’ve luckily found some bloomers that seem to have not noticed that we’re edging toward winter!

These fairy roses are still very pretty in pink …

… while these tiny beach sunflowers are retaining their bright, happy faces.

Here’s a last look at these wonderful hydrangeas, who after providing us with beautiful colour variations since June are now deservedly fading into their winter rest.

And finally, a matador rose. They usually last well into December, providing pops of welcome colour on grey, rainy days.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

It’s Unquestionably November

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We don’t get a lot of snow here; it’s more likely to be rain, especially in November and December, and today I really feel that November has arrived. We are socked in by rain and the very low late autumn/early winter cloud has settled into the valley.

When I talk of rain, I mean here at the valley floor, but in the surrounding mountains it’s snow; all the ski operators must be keeping their fingers crossed for good conditions!

Despite the conditions we did have a bit of clearing for an hour or so …

… but the clouds quickly returned to enclose us once more.

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

It’s the Time of Year for …

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… yellow!

The autumn reds and oranges often get much of the attention during autumn but the overlooked yellows are often beautiful, too.

Lemony yellow gingko biloba leaves …

… and the whole tree. Once the gingko leaves turn, they don’t last long.

As I’ve indicated here before, I love the shape of the leaves; that beautiful fan shape is almost like a petal.

A beautiful yellow honey locust canopy …

… cottonwoods …

… big leaf maples with their lovely large leaves – almost large enough for rain protection – and a few more of them …

… still hanging on …

… and on the ground.

Have a happily yellow Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Japanese Garden Tour

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Not far from my home is a lovely Japanese friendship garden; Penticton has been a sister city with Ikeda, Japan – located in the Nakagawa District of Tokachi in Hokkaido – since 1977 and this garden is in honour of that relationship. I frequently walk through it as I like to see ongoing seasonal changes and it’s also a very comforting, peaceful place.

There are tranquil paths …

… a koi pond with a fountain …

… and best of all, it was painstakingly and artistically planned to ensure that it would be visually appealing all through the seasons.

Spring petals decorating the pond’s surface …

… and autumn leaves doing the same.

The garden abuts Okanagan Lake which even in summer can be seen through the trees and contributes further to the soothing atmosphere.

In winter, this garden is still serene and relaxing. If it’s warm enough, a little time on one of the benches can be a lovely way to decompress.

Right now however it’s displaying the best of autumn, including the fiery red lace leaf maple bushes that are at their most beautiful.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Big Red

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This sugar maple tree has turned a very classic shade of red.

Since it’s the sugar maple leaf that’s on our flag, I would say that this tree is a rather iconic representation of Canadiana.

Besides gorgeous red leaves in autumn and beautiful lumber, the sugar maples are also known for producing another icon – maple syrup.

I grew up with it and have always enjoyed that luscious sweetness in cookies, cakes and on or in many other things, too.

Sugar maples provide us with so much, both practically and aesthetically, but at the moment, I’m enjoying the amazing gift of this stunningly gorgeous autumn colour.

Happy first Monday of November.

nature, Photography

After the Storm

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A very windy, very rainy storm passed through the valley and brought a heavy, dark, moisture-laden overcast. After storming all day, it started to clear toward late afternoon.

Those heavy clouds broke up, the wind dropped off and the sun shone.

Orphan clouds hung about for a bit, but they didn’t last long …

… and there was enough of the day left to give us a pretty sunset.

Here it is from one angle …

… and from another.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

October 31’s Friday Fleurday, Halloween Edition

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So fleurday and Halloween are on the same day! If you celebrate Halloween I wish you a monstrously good one …

… and if not, I hope you enjoy these autumnal flowers.

Flowers are beginning to be a bit difficult to find now that we’re almost into November, but this lovely sunflower still looked beautifully sunny.

I’m not entirely sure what these are although I think they might be a type of carnation. Does anyone know? No matter what they are, they’re a very pretty addition to the late autumn bloomers club.

I found this very attractive pot marigold, clearly not yet affected by our changing calendar.

Happy fleurday; happy Halloween. 🎃 🌼