Union Bay

Beautifully serene - this is Union Bay on the east cost of Vancouver Island in

British Columbia, Canada

 

Union Wharf, founded in 1888 by the Union Coal Co was one of the busiest ports on the Pacific coast. In its hey day Union Bay bustled with activity: coastal ferries, tugs with barges, sailing ships, steamships and freighters from all corners of the world called for cargo and bunker coal.

Huge locomotives brought long trains of coal cars, from the mines near Cumberland, to the shipping wharf. A 600-ton capacity washer screened and separated the coal. Large bunkers at the north end of town stored coal. 200 bee-hive coke ovens burned continuously and produced coke for copper smelters along the coast.

Around the clock smaller steam engines shunted coal cars between washer, bunkers and dock, loading the ships from the 60 foot-high wharf which stretched 560 feet out into the bay. The port closed in 1961 and the wharf was dismantled.

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Link up with Our World Tuesday to explore other parts of our amazing world.

(Once again grateful thanks to the team of hosts of faithfully provide us bloggers with the opportunity to share images of our respective regions)

Gentle giants

 

Spotted these gorgeous Pelicans on my way home from a day's outing with Canadian visitors yesterday. My nickname for these is B52s - because, in the air they have a heavy undercarriage and huge wingspans - yet for all that, they glide so gracefully through the skies. Love 'em ! 

 

With grateful thanks to the respective hosts, I'm joining in the fun at 

Our World Tuesday and

Wild Bird Wednesday

 

Kaleidoscopic sky

Following on from my previous post, the sky at Semaphore beach that night was so kaleidoscopic, I just couldn't resist sharing more images from that experience!

(was also absolutely delighted to have my Nikon back from repairers!)

 

 

 The constantly changing shapes and colours kept me spellbound

while behind me . . . . (that building is a famous South Australian landmark - the Largs Pier Hotel)

ribbons of rich ochre above gold leaf daubs

Do you have a favourite? I found it impossible to choose - hence the many inclusions!!

 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday

and James' Weekend Reflection

 

Welcome relief

After several days last week of very high Summer temperatures here in Adelaide, South Australia daytime top of 40C and overnight low of 34C at 7:30am), early evening one day the temperature dropped by an appreciable 10 degrees, so I headed off down to a local beach for some relief. I was not disappointed!  As the next 2 hours unfolded, the sky provided an extraordinary light show as the sun dropped over the horizon.

(for some reason these pics have not uploaded in the sequence I chose, but nevertheless I hope you enjoy them).The shots are almost entirely straight out of the camera.

 

 

This poor dog was also feeling the heat and at one stage actually SAT in the water!

 

The views were so incredible, it was hard to choose amongst all the photos taken, so forgive me if I've "gone overboard" in sharing the experience!

 

Joining in the fun at Our World Tuesday

Walk in the Woods

Macdonald Wood Park in Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada

 

Joining in the fun at James' Weekend Reflection

Seeing out 2016

Following a year of wonderful adventures and experiences, it seemed only fitting to see out 2016 with yet another!

My photography friend and I had been promising to undertake a kayak outing around Garden Island on the Port River in South Australia for about the past 3-4 years.

Having had a taste of kayaking while on Vancouver Island a few months ago,

it was time to commit, so on Saturday 31st December, 2016 we did just that!

 

As my "real" camera is still being repaired, I used a Nikon Coolpix waterproof camera purchased for the Vancouver Island kayak outing.  I am disappointed with the results

but perhaps I need to spend time learning how to adapt to the different hardware!

So, notwithstanding the poor photographic outcome, I decided to post these few

pics anyway, on the basis that perhaps they would still give you a feel for the experience

and environment.

We ventured a little ways into the mangroves - a very different "world"

This was one of many vessels in the Ships' Graveyard around Garden Island -

didn't want to venture in too close because the tide was coming in (and we had to paddle against it to return to the boat ramp from which we had launched!) and the waters around the wreck were eddying quite fiercely, so we chose to keep our distance.

The waters around Garden Island also offer home to some 90 Dolphins as a Sanctuary -

we did see a couple just after we launched but weren't quick enough with our cameras to capture them.  Here is a white-faced Heron and we also saw Spoonbills, Pelicans and Cormorants.

It was a fantastic 3-hour adventure and one we are keen to repeat and explore

other kayaking venues around the State of South Australia.

 

A delightful way to sign off 2016 - in good company and surrounded by nature!

 

Wishing you all a safe, healthy and very happy 2017 - I look forward to seeing your photos.

 

Joining up with the team at  Our World Tuesday