Tag Archives: nature

nature, Photography

Cassiar Highway

37 Comments

We have finished the 855 km (531 miles) Smithers, B.C. to Watson Lake, Yukon, leg of our trip via the Cassiar Highway (highway 37).

We experienced quite a number of rain showers broken by sunny periods but that didn’t dampen the beauty of this route. It’s one of the most stunning that you will find anywhere. We at first paralleled the Central Mountains but after turning a few more degrees due north, we drove through them for about 600 km. (373 miles).

We didn’t stop to do much hiking or walking through this portion of our trip but there are many opportunities for that and of course, there are lots of places to camp or to stay at a lodge.

As long as you are aware of and cautious about bears, there are many, many outdoor activities to be enjoyed in this area of the country.

Here’s a rest area sign showing details of the Cassiar.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

Coastal Mountains

54 Comments

We are almost 1100 km (684 miles) north of our home in Penticton and on our way to Watson Lake, Yukon, to see a good friend of ours.

Watson Lake is pretty much due north of our stop for the night in Smithers, B.C. which is marked on the map by the red pin. We have about another 890 km (553 miles) to go.

We have been passing the spectacular Coastal Mountain range and marvelling at their impressive beauty; we will see more of them as we travel further north.

Here, spring is about a month behind the development that has already occurred in Penticton; all the deciduous trees are wearing very new, pea green leaves and the mountains are still liberally topped with snow.

That’s it for now; more to follow later. Happy Friday.

Commentary, nature, Photography

Wonderful Little Things

44 Comments

A sundowner …

… over a gorgeous lake …

… with the comfort of Night’s soft cloak on the way …

… a frothy yellow flower brightening the day …

… and sunny respites with blue skies and clean water …

… a multitude of wonderful little things …

… to remember as we navigate this difficult world …

… so many of us so privileged.

nature, Photography

Lace-Leaf Maples

34 Comments

Lace-leaf maples start their spring with red, lacy leaves that over about the first two months appear to be more autumnish than springy.

April 27

Gradually, though, these leaves become a type of russet-green that signals their transition to the full green of spring.

May 11

This lace-leaf is about half-way between red and green.

November 6, 2024

I took the above photo in November, 2024. The lace-leaf in the earlier photos is pictured here in its fire-engine red, autumn garb. Isn’t it spectacular? From this peak, it gradually becomes more and more purple before losing its shrivelled leaves almost completely by February.

May 14

This photo from a couple of days ago shows an even more complete transformation to green. Its beautiful cascading shape and incredible colour changes would make it a lovely addition to any garden.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Busy Bees

32 Comments

I saw this huge bumblebee searching for nectar in a rhododendron bloom. I had never seen one this large before; it was at least 20mm (0.8 inch) if not more. I wondered how it could possibly fly with that bulky, very heavy body. Although bees do not fly in defiance of the rules of aviation, it sure can seem like it!

After some research, I found that this is a Nevada bumblebee; it is common from Alaska and British Columbia to as far south as California and as far west as New Mexico.

Here is a picture of a more average-sized bumble bee; it was foraging next to the huge Nevada bumblebee and looked like a mini-cooper next to a semi-truck! I’m much more used to seeing these smaller ones, but whether large, small, honeybee or bumblebee, they are extremely important to the heath and welfare of so many of Earth’s plants.

Vive les abeilles! 🐝