Tag Archives: walking

Commentary, nature, Photography

Bright Captures

37 Comments

In common with the rest of western Canada, we’ve suddenly turned colder. We’re still above 0C (32F) during the day but are going below 0 at night. Meanwhile, Vancouver, very unusually, is apparently going to get wet snow and minus temperatures overnight as well. Ugh.

Of course, here in the Okanagan Valley we have it comparatively easy. Much of the prairies are getting highs around -20C (-4 F). Strangely though, a lot of the east is coming in at +20C (68F) but may be getting much colder toward the end of the week. Nevertheless, if you’re about to travel from east to west, a 40 degree temperature difference might make for a bit of a packing challenge – such wild weather!

So to take our minds off these bizarre differences, I thought we could do with some brighter pictures of what is to come.

Nuthatch cuteness.
Eagle magnificence.
A butterfly tea rose.
A sunflower with friend.
Southern sunset beauty.

Happy Tuesday.

Commentary, nature, Photography

Variations Month

40 Comments

Happy March! It’s definitely the month for weather variability if not unpredictability. Cold wind one minute, warm sun the next. Depending on where you live, there might even be snow, sun, sleet, and thunderstorms all during the same day! It can at times be absolutely *spinny.

Although our weather has been somewhat unpredictable over the last couple of months – something that seems to be true in many locations – I hope it begins to settle into a nice slow spring.

Slow would be very, very good as we can probably then avoid a similar forest fire season as last year’s, something that is desperately needed given that much of the province is still classified as suffering from severe drought.

Happy weekend.

* spinny – Canadian word meaning foolish, silly or unreasonable

nature, Photography

Lucky Duckies

27 Comments

While out walking we stopped to give our resident duck flock their quinoa quota.

After we were done, a man who had been waiting in his truck for us to finish stepped out and the ducks launched themselves at him in a big swarm! He was carrying about 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of bird seed which he distributed to a very happy flock. We thought they mobbed us, but we have nothing on their reaction to him!

Gathered in a tight knot, we didn’t see much except their backs once the seed was spread.

About three or four pigeons were able to squeeze their way toward some food, but they were mostly excluded.

We chatted with him and he related that he regularly comes by to provide them with seed, especially if it’s cold out or their nearby creek is frozen over.

These are definitely some lucky ducks!

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Bird Colour

69 Comments

Western bluebirds are such a fabulous shade of blue. Like robins, they are members of the thrush family and love to eat insects and berries.

Most of them migrate from points further south to the Okanagan Valley to nest but some overwinter, as well. I was very surprised to see the one above so early, but it may be that he stays all year. In any case, I was happy to get a picture of this colourful and very cute bird.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Spring You Say?

28 Comments

Yes, cautious agreement. There are some subtle signs of spring beginning to happen. The angle of the sun, bird behaviour, wind direction and temperature are all conspiring to create a springy sort of feeling here.

We might actually be leaving winter behind!

We have reached steady double digits – 10°C or more (50F) – and the sun really feels warm.

Doesn’t this look like early spring?

The rhododendrons are greening up by the day and really nudging the sense that we’re getting closer to spring and further from winter.

Of course, there will be lots more rain. We’re supposed to get some tomorrow, and given where we’ve lately been with the drought monster, some coolish rain isn’t a bad thing.

Happy Saturday.