Tag Archives: Winter

nature, Photography

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #377: Holiday Fun

42 Comments

Many thanks to Ann-Christine from Leya who is hosting this week’s lens-artist photo challenge: holiday fun.

M and I are not into big seasonal celebrations or decorations but there are parts of it that we very much enjoy such as time spent with friends and family and savouring some good meals. That said, I have enjoyed a few trees and other seasonal conventions over the years.

A nice glass of Okanagan wine to go with a winter solstice meal.

This tree was in the hotel where we stayed a couple of years ago for our anniversary.

A Charlie Brown tree? Definitely and one I like a lot.

Did you know that the red, white or pink foliage of the poinsettia plant isn’t part of the actual flower? The flowers are those tiny nodules in the very centre. The coloured “petals” are really leaves.

What could be more Canadian than a game of pick-up hockey on an outside rink? This game took place on a very short December day in Northwest Territories when it was about -30C (-22F) outside.

The little Okanagan Valley quail test out a newly frozen pond.

A very northern sunset; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Bamboo covered with wet snow; Okanagan Valley. A couple of hours later, the snow was gone.

Another December sunset; Northwest Territories.

One of the snow sculptures from the Snow King, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. This bear is literally a tree hugger.

Happy Tuesday.

If you would like to participate in this great challenge, then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge. Click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.

nature, Photography

Natural Art

34 Comments

Even at this time of year, there are still many of nature’s artistic endeavours to be seen. Come walk with me.

Mountain snow with blue sky; a skier’s paradise.

Some beautifully green bamboo; such a lovely surprise to see it now that all the leaves are gone.

Feathery pine needles decorate the earth.

More welcome green: bistorta affinis or fleece flower.

I like this leaf and pine needle motif quite a lot and in a post from a couple of weeks back I included a similar picture.

A birch tree that’s very reluctant to give up its leaves is a pleasant yellowy December sight.

A reflection to reflect upon.

These quackers had found something good to eat and were busily getting their fill. They were murmuring quietly to each other and really seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Leaf shadows on a sidewalk. I love the pattern they left behind after the sweeper had been through.

Happy Monday; happy walkings.

Photoblog, Photography

December 5’s Friday Fleurday

26 Comments

Although our outdoor flower season is essentially over – I have seen a few outliers but they will eventually disappear, too – I found this lovely collection of poinsettias in a greenhouse.

I don’t typically like poinsettias all that much, but this multitude looked particularly attractive.

Along with holly, they are certainly one of December’s signature flowers/plants and give the season a lot of flair.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

I Think It’s Winter

34 Comments

Although we are still escaping the snow here at the valley floor, the mountains around us have lots.

This looks like it could be mist or fog but it’s actually rain that at higher elevations is snow.

Given the time of year we don’t have a lot of colour but there’s still a bit here and there.

This cotoneaster with its red berries is a welcome sight; a nice break in the grey.

Despite the low ceiling, it wasn’t particularly cold and there was no wind. We had about 10C (50F) so it was important to wear something waterproof with a good sweater or fleece underneath.

I also found some matador roses blooming in a protected area. Their bright red provided a lovely visual lift, too.

Although there are still a few colours round and about, it has definitely, definitely morphed into winter. I think it’s time for hot chocolate.

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

Monochrome Madness

28 Comments

Today – for the first time – I’m participating in Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness. If you’re interested in participating as well, please go to Leanne’s site to see what’s coming up. This week doesn’t have a theme so you can post whatever you would like.

I’ve done a bit of experimentation with monochrome by converting colour photos through Lightroom; others in my collection are naturally monochromatic winter photos and are three of the ones I’m posting here.

Winter eagle

An eagle pair lives near our home and has a couple of favoured perching trees that aren’t far from our deck. In January of 2024 I saw one of them doing some territorial surveying during a very wet snow fall that later turned to rain.

Okanagan Lake

This blue hour photo was taken just after nightfall in early February, 2024. I particularly like the almost perfect reflection in the lake’s surface.

Photo by permission from Dana Coates

The above photo isn’t mine but I’m including it because it’s such an unusual example of a naturally pink monochromatic photo. This is a rare pink fog – there were no filters applied to this picture.

Heavy moisture content in the air caused the blue wavelengths of the rising sun to be scattered out, resulting in a pink fog. Further up the Okanagan valley, the fog was actually red. This incredibly rare phenomenon didn’t last long; only about 10 minutes.

A small flock of coots swim through a monotone December day from 2024.

It was fun looking through my archive for appropriate monotone photos. I hope you enjoy them.

nature, Photography

Ice Jacket

35 Comments

The wind-whipped lake generated enough spray to produce these icy sheaths at the bases of these old pier supports.

Although the wind has died off now and the temperature is turning around – our high today was 0C (32F) – these icy housings give me chills. Burr!

I think I’ve had enough of this now and would really like to start seeing some springy signs. How about you?

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Blustery Weather

34 Comments

We have had a lot of wind, very cold, and with the odd spritz of rain or teeny bit of snow …

… but it has been sunny and that has helped a lot.

Nevertheless this wind really has a mind of its own. Rattling windows and bare branches and trying to grab my scarf or car door, there’s a lot of discontent in its undulating wintery sighs and moans.

Happy Weekend.

nature, Photography

Winter, Winter

20 Comments

How’s this for a winterish picture?

The carp pond has partially frozen, confusing the ducks.

Ummm, I’m supposed to be paddling, right?

I was surprised to see the carp swimming around under the frozen surface. Someone had thrown rocks at the pond’s surface, trying to break the ice, but it’s frozen enough to hold. The fish look surreal under the rocky ice layer!

Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying warm. Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

Wintery Skaha Lake

28 Comments

As I’ve noted here before, Penticton is one of two communities in the world that’s sandwiched between two lakes. The other is Interlaken, Switzerland.

An autumnal evening view of Okanagan Lake.

I usually post pictures of the considerably larger Okanagan Lake which is very close to where I live.

A chilly-looking Skaha Lake.

Although smaller, Skaha Lake which is situated on the southern end of town, is equally impressive if very cold right now.

Wintery Skaha Lake.

Although we are fortunately still above freezing and are enjoying a string of sunny days, as you can probably tell the wind is quite cold and you definitely wouldn’t want to go swimming!

To those of you who are coping with the extremely cold temperatures that are hitting large portions of North America right now, stay safe (and warm).