Tag Archives: Walks

Commentary, nature, Photography

Misty Skaha Lake

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This sudden, very unusually cold weather has caused the lakes to discharge a lot of mist since the water is so much warmer than the surrounding air. Some people have photographed mist spouts, but I haven’t been fortunate enough to see any of them.

One nice side effect of this cold weather is that’s it’s sunny, but I’ll be happy to say to good-bye to the sun as it begins to warm up (and consequently cloud up) tomorrow; thankfully, we are supposed to be at near seasonal temperatures by Friday.

Coots, ducks and geese crowding together at the edge of Skaha Lake. They didn’t seem to be too bothered by not being of the same feather!

This Arctic blast has been very hard on all the non-migrating birds and the animals that just aren’t used to these cold conditions; farmers are also very concerned about the tree fruit orchards and the wineries about their vines. As an indication of how unusual this weather is, a local environmental group just released instructions on how to help hummingbirds that are going into torpor because of the cold.

Setting sun over misty Skaha Lake.

The eastern part of the country is now being walloped by a huge storm that has moved north from Texas. I don’t follow football but apparently a game has even been cancelled as a result!

Stay warm, everyone.

Commentary, Photography

Festive Light Tunnel

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The City of Penticton always puts on a light show during December, and this year added a tunnel.

The tunnel proved to be very popular, especially with children, and so it was decided that it should stay until the end of January.

Given how grey, rainy and overcast it has been – and as of today including a little snow – I agree with the city’s decision. These pretty lights are definitely a little mood booster.

Apparently we will be getting our rain back tomorrow but according to the weather gods, we are supposed to get SUN on Wednesday. Fingers crossed.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

Sun Spots

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Our weather has been very overcast with a lot of rain and drizzle, but sometimes we get little sun breaks that provide an impressive contrast in colour and mood.

The sky, hills and water palette are beautifully offset by the sunlit winter fields.

It’s very wet and the wind can be unpleasant, too, but the wintery greyish-blues and lustrous pewters are gorgeous.

Happy Thursday.

Commentary, nature, Photography

New Year’s Birds

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While out for our New Year’s Day constitutional, we saw lots of birds.

First, there were some quail. I always find them hard to photograph because they’re so quick and they blend in so well. I love that cute little head feather.

Next, we saw lots of coots with their distinctive white beaks. They were very happily swimming along, looking for a bit to eat here and there. Suddenly, we saw the coots madly scrambling away to a pier, half swimming, half flying. And then we saw the reason why.

A bald eagle was swooping low, attempting to grab a straggler. I didn’t get a picture of the frightened coots because I was mesmerised by the unfolding drama, but I was able to get a couple of shots of this amazing raptor.

The coots were able to hide in the lee of a pier, thus preventing the eagle from getting a good angle on a quick snatch, and once he saw that he was out of luck, he quickly headed away. M and I were amazed at what we had just seen, though!

Happy Tuesday.