At the Beach

To a Wild Rose

A lovely evening, so I decided to go for a walk to the beach in time for the sunset. First I took photos at home.... of the peony bloom, sweet peas that were planted late last year, blue flower like the plant in Flighty’s stone feature, a cloud that reminded me of the UK, Mr. or Mrs. Nuthatch on the clothesline, the neighbour’s veggie garden, my first yellow rose bud…then off I went down the path to the beach where I saw my first wild rose of the season, bramble blossoms, deep purple lilac, wisteria dripping from a tree, an eagle on top of a tree, the bright sun getting ready to set, footprints in the sand, and a dragon-fire sunset! I felt infused with the fragrance of lilac, wisteria, wild roses, blossoms ~ and the fresh sea air. All senses completely satisfied!

Bloomin' Lovely!

Today's bloom after a refreshing shower ~



Two more blooms getting ready!

At last...

A Ducky Post

Thanks to Daffy's recent photo of ducklings, I remembered to go Duck Hunting this weekend, with my camera of course. My son suggested the little ponds beside the "Trail to Town", so both of us set off. I have managed to put a few video clips together through Windows Movie Maker, and then uploaded the movie to Photobucket. There are a few odd noises throughout...but please forgive the imperfections and enjoy the show :)



After the walk in the morning, the weather became really warm, so my son and I decided to go for a drive away from home, housework, yardwork..and any kind of other work...it was a day to relax...We came across this sign, so had to take a photo ;)


Another photo from this afternoon:



Here's a video for Flighty, not landing at our local airport, but one farther up the island.



And here's tonight's sun setting to finish off a glorious day. When I zoomed in, the photos showed more of the orange shade.

Have your cake...

During the last couple of days, I have been making a hamburger cake to take to a barbecue in honour of a friend who is retiring. I have put a few photos together in a slide show, first showing the cake used for the bottom of the bun. Two other cakes were made, a chocolate one for the "meat" and another light coloured one for the top. I made some marzipan tomatoes, lettuce and cheese, and put them in the freezer. Last night I assembled the layers and iced them, and today transported the completed project to the party, where it was duly admired.






On the drive home about 9 p.m., I noticed a pinkish hue as the sun was setting. I found my way to the nearest beach access and photographed the beauty of it. A lovely way to end a very busy work week!

Sunday's Sights, Sounds and Scents

This slideshow starts with a photo of little flowers in my window box that survived the winter, a flower from the pink dogwood tree in the front yard, some lilac blooming which smell divine, and the back garden hummingbird surveying from his tree perch. I noticed that much of the snow has melted off the mountain, but there still seems to be a good covering in parts. While downtown, I noticed the beautiful white dogwood, which is our provincial emblem. Also I took a photo of the little rose garden in the same area, which is how I imagined mine to be (until I found the big stumpy root). More on that in a later blog. One never knows what might come clip-clopping down the sidewalk, and I was happy that I had my camera out to capture the culprits. Finally,the sunset. Hope you enjoy :)

Bluebells, Bees and Beauty

I have been as busy as the buzzing bees! The weather has turned glorious, so I have been out in the garden, digging, weeding, planting, cutting the lawn, etc. However, I have also been out and about. This slideshow starts with some Canada Geese and their goslings I spotted in a pond. The rest of the photos are from the woodland gardens where I spent a few hours on Saturday. It's very close to home, and always lovely to visit, especially since I have a season's pass. The very last photo is a nice bright red thing, that was warm and sunny tasting when I got home!

Nature's Way

They have babies!

Yes, they do! Mr. and Mrs. R.B Nuthatch are proud parents. Now, I haven't seen these babies, but I have heard them. I really tried to get a movie of the parents feeding them through the bird house hole to see if I could record their cheepings, but they are such quick little critters, that they're gone before I can even start to film... however, while I was waiting patiently I did see and hear a hummingbird, which I captured on video for a very short time! I'm wondering if it has a nest in the apricot tree, because it was in and out of there all day. Also there is a very small yellow bird that frequents the same tree. I worked out in the garden ALL day... the blossoms, the birds and I...

Birds and the bee

I have been as busy as Billio! After getting home from work for the past two nights, I have been working in the back corner of my property. It is an area that used to be a raised bed strawberry patch when we moved here about 15 years ago. The bed is about 16' x 24'. (EDIT: Actually the area is that size, but the bed is 8'x 16'...) Since that time it gradually "evolved" into a mass of not strawberries...ahem. Because it was behind a shed, it was easy to ignore, but now with all this talk of gardening, I have dived in and started clearing the area. I was out there 5 hours yesterday, and about 4 today.

Last night I realized that the bird house on top of the washing line pole was inhabited. When we first put the bird house up years ago, the first family were tree swallows...it was cute when the babies were in a row on the line! Last night, I spotted a red-breasted nuthatch and its mate going in and out of the birdhouse. I was so excited, and that is probably why all 19 photos were blurry (either that or the camera setting was inadvertently moved!) So tonight I thought I'd have another go. I finally noticed one, but it didn't go into the nest when I was watching. One of the interesting things about these birds, is that they spend a lot of time upside down...on trees...and bird houses.

My digging partner was a rufous-sided towhee, who happily inspected whatever turned up. I couldn't just have birds without a bee (photo was taken at the Gardens I visited last weekend). I also dug up some rocks and piled them...my rock group. Just as I was packing it in for the day, I heard some beautiful birdsong, so I recorded it on video as I scanned the sky, clouds and trees. Here is the compilation:

Cherry, pear and apple blossoms

Although the cherry blossoms have started to drift, pear and apple blossoms are just starting to bloom.

Winging the Bell

Colours of Spring

A visit to the Gardens today ~ with a wide range of colour, and even what appeared to be a green butterfly (leaf) and a couple of robins getting married ~ to the tune of "Here Comes the Bird..." ... See my Tabblo>

Filigree, Flowers and Feathers

Photos from last weekend ~ The first slideshow is a compilation of silhouetted branches and trees ~






I love the smell of wallflowers ~ and I was treated to a swath of them ... Also came across some Blue Camas, wild flowers which have an interesting history, loved the way the rain drops were balancing on some fresh green leaves, and a splash of colour at the end of this slideshow ~






There was a variety of bird life in the park ~ while I was watching the ducks splash about, a couple of other feathered creatures strolled by...





A most interesting bird nest ~ that of a titmouse ~