I’ve enjoyed watching large maple leaves gently fall from this tree and now there’s only a very few left including this little one, its time done, its rest awaiting.
There’s something very soothing about taking just a couple of minutes to watch leaves floating to the ground; a very centring activity.
Happy Tuesday.
We live near Penticton Creek and one of its pretty foot bridges.
Usually, this creek is now down to a little dribble, but because we had a wet autumn followed by a wet winter and then a wet spring, this creek has been very full and running swiftly.
And all that very welcome rain – we had been experiencing a three-year drought – has turned the little creek into something of a river, especially where it widens out to empty into Okanagan Lake.
I often stop to admire it, to listen to its gurgling and to enjoy all the trees growing near it …
… trees that are very verdant this year because they have had lots of water …
… and to also enjoy the flowers that occasionally grow there, too.
Happy Monday.
Research has shown that green is a calming colour, especially the green shades that are found in nature. I think this is very true, because I always feel better when I’ve had a little time outside.
Kermit the Frog sang about how it’s not easy to be green, but it’s certainly healthy for us to be surrounded by it!
Happy Tuesday.
British Columbia’s provincial flower is the Pacific dogwood …
… which despite the unflattering name is a gorgeous, spring flowering tree with blooms in pink, pinkish-white, white and greenish white.
The “petals” are actually bracts, a type of leaf that forms around the actual blooms which are the tiny circular clusters in the centre.
Although the Pacific dogwood can be found in various shades of pink or pinkish-white, British Columbia’s official flower is the white one.
Right now the flowers can be seen everywhere here, another of the lovely, blooming trees that are so prolific at this time of year.
Happy Friday.
I love all the new leaves that are emerging or about to emerge at this time of year.
So much healthy growth to appreciate and admire. Isn’t spring grand?
The little cherry tree bud picture that I posted in February has done some growing! Here it is then …
… and now.
It’s not a great photo as the wind was blowing a lot and I couldn’t get a steady focus, but you can get the idea.
Here’s more of the tree itself in its lovely spot next to Okanagan Lake. Soon there will be cherry blossoms.
Happy Wednesday.
This is one of the heritage oaks that have been planted in Penticton’s Memorial Park. There are several others, all of which are about 10 – 30 years older than this one, making them approximately 110-130.
The plaque says “This oak tree was planted on July 1, 1937 to commemorate the coronation of George VI. It was presented to Penticton by the Royal Gardeners London.”
All of the trees in this park are very carefully tended and cared for by the city; they all display vaccination tags, especially the lone elm tree. As you may know, Dutch elm disease has been ravaging these incredibly lovely shade trees.
Happy Sunday.
We have an abundance of these berries everywhere around town and with all the seasonal decorations now being packed away …
… these lend some much needed colour to our winter landscape.
Happy Sunday.
A few days ago we had a very wet snowfall that lasted a couple of hours and then turned to rain. Some of the oak trees were still hanging on to their leaves and as a result they became covered in wet, heavy snow.
A few were still a bit green yet most had dried and were just clinging …
… but the weight of the snow put an end to that. The sidewalks were covered in oak leaves; the last bit of autumn finally found its way to the ground.
Sometimes, even the trees can be stubborn!
Happy weekend.
This was taken with the exposure biased 1-2/3 stops darker to keep the little human figure from being washed-out. Mid-tones were then tweaked …
A Reader’s Lake
This beautiful picture is from Jon at Helluva Times. Please click the link above to see more of Jon’s gorgeous photography, especially of plants and flowers.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 