Tag Archives: water

Winter Lake

When we left the Caribbean the temperature was about 30C (86F); here at home it’s 5C (41F), which is a rather significant difference but completely to be expected, of course.

A cold-looking Okanagan Lake.

Another big difference is that we’re now next to a lake, not an ocean, but I love how both bodies of water can exert themselves so strongly on our lives and consciousness, even down to their colour changes.

I very much like being close to large bodies of water (I was born next to and lived my early years near the Atlantic); I find them comforting and reassuring, even when they decide to whip up some good storms.

Breaks in the cloud cover allow shafts of sunlight to shine on an opposite bank – a beautiful effect.

I find it interesting that M finds the same sense of comfort and reassurance in the mountains; he was born next to the Rockies. Maybe we all have a sort of “birth set point location” that stays with us all our lives and for which we can unconsciously yearn.

Happy Sunday.

Urban Creek

We live near the creek that runs through Penticton, and although its name actually is “Penticton Creek,” it definitely behaves and looks more like a river at times.

A low April creek with a napping duck.
Very fast-running and full May creek.
June. The water levels had gone down enough that it could once more become duck central.
A beautifully shaded July creek.

Our resident mallard duck flock loves this creek and lives near the outflow end where it empties into Okanagan Lake. Everyone loves them, feeds them and fusses over them. They’ve definitely found themselves a good gig!

The Downside of Spring

Remember the river photo I posted a while back?

Well, here it is now, about 10 km further north.

Photo by Loren McGinnis/CBC

Last weekend’s storm (massive rain, massive snow, more massive rain, then a freeze) caused the ice pans to block the water flow from further up-river, resulting in a flood. Parts of the nearby town have been evacuated and other parts are completely under water.

Photo by Aaron Tambour

Flooding is terrible.