Mt Baker from the Coho Ferry These are a couple images that I took from a trip across to Victoria from Port Angeles on the Coho ferry. The top one is…
Images from the Coho Ferry
A beautiful picture of Mount Baker from Allan J Jones. Please click the link above to see more of Allan’s beautiful photography.
On our way back home from Victoria, we stopped in Richmond which is just south of Vancouver. M grew up there and we took a little tour around to his old teenage haunts.
The seafront has an eclectic mix of fishing vessels, sail boats, restaurants, coffee shops and townhomes.
After the wind storm that walloped Victoria and Vancouver had died off, the weather was gorgeous with a flat ocean calm and clear, sunny skies.
The weather was so good, in fact, that I spotted someone paddling an ocean kayak (the small red vessel toward the mid-right of the photo).
Sunny December days are a gift and we certainly enjoyed this one, especially after the weekend’s storm.
Happy Monday.
We awoke to a very windy day. The ocean was extremely churned up and lots of surf was being flung about.
With the gale gusting to about 80 km (50 mi) we definitely needed raincoats against the wind-whipped spray.
Although it was windy the temperature was about 9C (48F) and it wasn’t raining, so in a good windbreaker/raincoat, I was comfortable.
I found a group of periwinkle flowers growing in a rock garden next to the ocean, but despite being soaked by seawater they seemed completely unperturbed.
I very much enjoyed watching the surf and listening to its pounding roar – the heart of all life on earth.
Happy Sunday.
During the winter in particular, the city of Victoria experiences near rain forest conditions. As you can imagine, that means lots of green.
Because of all the moisture, the moss is particularly well developed.
It ranges from these little yellow bits …
… to these long, luxurious strands …
… and can even envelop whole tree limbs to such an extent that other plants decide to grow in the moss. The thick layer of moss on this tree branch is now providing a home to a fern family.
So not only is the grass still green and many of the plants and shrubs are still vibrant, there is the added and ubiquitous presence of moss and its lovely hue, a distinct counterpoint to the overcast and rain of the season.
Happy weekend.
Because we’re in Victoria’s very temperate climate right now, we’re seeing lots of late-flowering plants and shrubs that are absolute December delights.
Happy Friday.
We are taking a mini-break holiday to Victoria which is on Vancouver Island, an hour-and-half by ferry from Vancouver. We had the most beautiful day for the drive through the mountains and then for the ferry trip.
Happy Thursday.
Even though winter isn’t officially here yet, our local Japanese garden has entered its seasonal hiatus.
Despite that, or maybe because of that, it’s still a calming, contemplative place to walk or even to sit for a while.
The carp in the pond have disappeared into various spots to await spring, so the only activity is from a couple of duck pairs who quickly paddle toward anyone who comes by in hope of a handout.
The colours have all softened into their muted winter hues; everything is breathing slowly and restfully.
Happy Wednesday; I hope it’s a good one.
For this time of year, we had a rare, beautifully sunny day and later on, the snowy mountaintops were lit by the afternoon sun.
We also had windless conditions with a high of 4C (39F) so it really was lovely. A crisp December day without being too crisp!
Naturally, a sunny day came with a lovely sunset which was much appreciated by all of us damp people!
Happy Tuesday.
I love early, misty mornings. Last year, I was driving through Fylingdales Moor in North Yorkshire, and as I went by, the early morning mist lay on …
Fylingdales Mist
Please click the link above to view this full set of beautiful misty morning photos from James Elkington. If you’re interested in photography, browsing through James’s site is time well spent.
Yesterday I awoke to an intense wind storm that was later accompanied by buckets of pelting rain. Later in the day though, it had cleared sufficiently for a walk.
I expected it to still be quite windy but as my walk progressed, the wind calmed and the clouds began to dissipate.
We even had a minor rise in temperature of 0.5C (that’s a 1° rise in F) for a high of 3.5C (38F). Not fantastic but seriously much better than freezing and without a doubt better than the -15C (-9F) that Yellowknife is experiencing!
I also found these dianthus (also known as sweet william) blooming prettily in a protected spot. Even their lovely scent was still noticeable.
We are supposed to get freezing rain tomorrow, but we’ll see what materialises: nothing, I hope!
Happy Sunday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 