Sunflower

August 2, 2021 - A lone sunflower planted by the birds gives a much needed bright spot during these wildfire smoke filled days of summer.

 

Rubber Ducky!

The water level of Kootenay Lake, BC is very high right now due to all that melting winter snow we got this year.  Consequently there is a LOT of debris floating onto the shorelines and beaches.  My favourite find ever tho has to be this Rubber Ducky I spotted today!

Western Tanager

Had a couple Western Tanagers show up in the cedar trees next to our house yesterday.  Love these birds, they are so colourful!  Taken at Kootenay Lake, BC  May 18, 2017

Goslings

Finally spotted this year's goslings out and about on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, BC the other day.  Mum was watching pretty close, but I had the zoom lens out so was far enough away.  😄

Seeing Things

I love macro photography.  As my eyes get older and I need reading glasses for every little thing, the zoom lens on my camera opens a whole new world!  I was taking random photos of the bountiful crop of dandelions we have this year, when I noticed a 'bug' after I had taken the picture.  Seeing it on my computer and cropping it revealed this very interesting bee looking creature with clear wings and a body so shiny the sun reflects off it!!  Obviously was a good source of nectar as the next photo shows it borrowing in even further for more.

Mother's Day

Checking Out The Peanut

Finally caught this squirrel checking out the peanut Hubby leaves for him. Sure is funny the way he turns it over and over!

Birding

The geese arrived, but so far the only place clear of snow is the dock.  Also spotted a Golden Eye fishing in the marina the other day - could not see what he was catching, but must have been having a successful day as he stayed there quite a while. And then there's the Stellars Jay patiently waiting for his peanut.

More Snow and Shapes

All this snow since February has created some beautiful and interesting vistas and shapes.

frozen snowflakes off our deck

frozen wild fern

Birds, Baseball and Elephants

I'm starting to see things now it's been winter for so long at Kootenay Lake!!  That, or I am starting to imagine spring; although, we don't normally have elephants here!  ☺

Bird

Baseball Player

Elephants

Chickadees and Squirrels

Chickadees and Squirrels spend a lot of time gathering food and keeping warm - the squirrel especially looks as though he's had enough of winter.....like me. 

Cold Sunny Day

We don't get that many true sunny days on Kootenay Lake in the winter, but when we do, it takes my breath away.  All the various blues set off the white snow and clouds and even though it's cold, it's a beautiful day.

Early Spring?

Was wondering what the strange pink thing was in my flowerbed by the house.  Got out the zoom lens for the camera as I didn't feel like walking through two feet of snow to get to it - and lo and behold it's a primrose blooming between the snow and ice!  January seems a touch early, even for a primrose, but if that's a sign of an early spring I'll take it!  This is on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, BC

Banff National Park

We had the opportunity to drive the highway through Banff National Park this summer.  We've been on this highway many times and it never fails to take my breath away.  One feels insignificant among the towering mountains and around every corner is another vista to amaze you.

Wildlife Crossing Structures

Calisthenics

Some fun snow Calisthenics

Beach Day!

I went to the beach today at Kootenay Lake!  Wasn't quite as warm as some beaches this time of year - but it was still beautiful and there was a picnic table if I wanted a picnic!

Elephants and Ghosts

Sure have seen some funny things lately - elephants in the sky and a snowy ghost in our tree!!

Kootenay Lake Winter

On clear sunny days like today, January 3, 2017, Kootenay Lake in the winter is simply beautiful!  These were taken as we were driving down Highway 3A along the east shore of Kootenay Lake.

if you look closely near the bottom centre, I believe I accidentally got an Eagle in this picture

too bad about the power lines, sometimes I just can't avoid them!

Stellar and His Peanut

A Stellars Jay off with his peanut.

Yoga Snowman - or Praying?

I've watched the snowman I built on our deck this week with amazement as it bowed lower and lower to the deck - it's either doing yoga or praying!
 
These snowmen depict perfectly my year!  I've laughed, cried, thrown in my hat and prayed. This post is in loving remembrance of six loved ones lost this year - all close friends or family members and much too much time spent in Hospitals.

Hopefully 2017 will be a gentler, kinder year and full of more laughter than tears.

from a previous fun filled year!

the snowman I built on the deck - lost his hat the first night!

 

every morning we get up and he's lowered some more

 

yesterday's picture - today his head is resting on the deck - guess we have a praying snowman on our deck till spring!!!

Rain, Fog, Sunshine and a Bear!

Interesting drive to Creston today along Hwy 3A on the east shore of Kootenay Lake.  Rain, fog, sunshine and a bear!

This much snow seems early this year

The south end of Kootenay Lake

The quaint little spot of Sirdar

This is the bear - I realized after I took the picture and looked up that I had got him by chance in the picture!

Coming into Creston - not a great shot, but was fascinated how it came out

The colours are so beautiful now!