Tag Archives: Winter

Quack!

When it becomes more difficult for our local duck flock to find food, we like to help them a bit with some cooked quinoa. Unlike bread, it’s a healthy choice for them. M recently prepared lots of it in individual bags that we can easily distribute to our duckie friends.

Well organised in a freezer drawer, he has very helpfully labelled it “quack.”

Quackers or not, the ducks love it and aren’t shy about gobbling it down!

I wish you a very duckie day. 😊

Happy Solstice

On the shortest day of the year, I wish you Happy Solstice!

Photo from December 21 at 2:30 p.m., only an hour ahead of descending darkness.

From here on, the days get longer, much longer.

Photo from December 21 at 2:55 p.m.

While I find the mist and overcast lustrously beautiful in its own way …

Photo from March 13, 2024.

… I much prefer spring.

Happy Sunday; it’s a tiny bit longer this week.

Hanging On

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.

Are They Monochromatic?

We recently had a very wet snowfall that lasted only a couple of hours before melting. During this snowfall, though, the overcast that settled into the valley was extremely thick and low to the ground.

Okanagan Lake

We were seemingly enveloped in grey. But then again, I have a question for you: has the above photo (and those that follow) been photoshopped to appear monochromatic or is it a “colour” picture of a monochromatic environment?

Penticton Creek
Another wintery lake view.
A group of Canada geese near a deteriorating old dock in the lake.

So, what do you think? Have I been playing with Photoshop to produce these monochromatic photos or was Penticton’s environment just rather grey?

The answer will be revealed in the comments.

Happy Wednesday.

Cascade Mountains

We are back home now after a lovely mini-break holiday in Victoria. On the way home we drove through the Cascade Mountains which encompass an incredibly large area from Kamloops in British Columbia all the way down the Pacific coast to northern California.

In Canada, there are a number of subranges of the Cascades, including those on the west side of our home in the Okanagan Valley, the Okanagan Range.

Although some snow had fallen, the trees and shrubs were covered in a layer of frost caused by the cloud and mist which treated us to some very beautiful seasonal scenes.

We arrived home to 5C (41F) and were happy to be back after our little break.

December 13’s Friday Fleurday

Because we’re in Victoria’s very temperate climate right now, we’re seeing lots of late-flowering plants and shrubs that are absolute December delights.

Lots of very pretty, dark pink bell heather flowers everywhere …
… and a closer image.
Aren’t these pretty? I think they are a type of hesperantha, a plant that doesn’t bloom until December – if it’s in the right climate.

Happy Friday.