Home from Home

Ahh, happy memories of 5 months ago on captivating Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada (my home away from home!)

One of many delightful and peaceful walking trails

Spotted these two squirrels (keeping social distance before that became the norm!) in nearby Qualicum Beach

Surf meets snow !

Joining in the fun at Skywatch Friday

Thank you Alan for continuing to manage this community blog

Although South Australia is faring well with no new cases of CV19 for some 3 weeks, and there is a gradual relaxation of some restrictions, we are still being encouraged to practise social distancing and good hygiene.  Complacency is our enemy.  Praying for good health and safety for my fellow bloggers around the world.  (Am very grateful for today's technology enabling us to keep "in touch".)

Marina at dusk

Comox marina at dusk

the same marina from a different perspective

Wishing all a blessed and safe Easter

Contributing to Skywatch Friday and

Weekend Reflection

Soggy pot of gold!

A bolt of colour fell from Heaven at Bowser on Vancouver Island.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday (thank you Alan for hosting)

Happy weekend everyone

Daybreak

Daybreak at Bowser on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

 .... and an often present Bald Eagle

Most days - morning and afternoon - groups of sea lions would drift by on their way up to Comox Harbour and beyond, with flippers above water 

(almost waving, I kid myself, but read that their flippers absorb whatever warmth - in winter?! - is in the air and this helps to regulate their body temperature).

Some days I counted up to 30 sea lions, and their approaching

"voices" as they neared the front of the property regularly brought me running

A couple of times I braved sitting on this well-positioned bench seat

but as temperatures were often below 5C between Dec - Feb, it wasn't a regular choice !  On this day rain/fog/mist hid the wonderful view across to those magnificent Coastal Range Mountains on the BC mainland.

Wishing all a safe and happy weekend as I link in with

Skywatch Friday

Fire and Water

I spent 3 weeks cat-sitting in New Westminster, some 40 minutes

(on Skytrain) south of Vancouver, BC a few months back.

This was the scene from the rear balcony of the apartment on a day when smoke from the 500+ wildfires burning throughout British Columbia blanketed the mainland (and also drifted across to Vancouver Island).

Another day I had just begun a walk to a nearby park when I spotted smoke in the skies.  Following its source a short distance away, the cause was revealed -

a barge (on the Fraser River) containing (I was told) car bodies had caught fire.

 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday

Great respect

On a small aircraft flight from Vancouver to Vancouver Island back in August, the views outside were not of the usual breath-taking kind, due to smoke-filled skies from the hundreds of wild fires then burning throughout British Columbia and California.

So, I took some images from inside the aircraft and, observing the complex instrument panels that face them each day, I respect and salute the thousands of pilots around the world who bring us safely to our destinations. Hats off to you!

Joining in the world-wide fun at

Skywatch Friday

Mt Washington

A foggy day on Mt Washington - no chair lift ride today!

. . . so another visit to Paradise Meadows followed instead

(more pics to come on another day)

However, several weeks later, with no sign of fog, another trip to Mt Washington had the chair lift operational and the following views were ours to soak up . . .

This is one of the ponds in adjacent Paradise Meadows

 

Looking down at the Alpine Ski Resort

Is that a quill pen I see, coming from Heaven ?!

With thanks to Alan for hosting

Skywatch Friday

and wishing you all a wonderful weekend

Sand, Sea & Sky

The homeward journey to South Australia from Victoria - 

along the magnificent Great Ocean Road.

Looking across Bass Strait towards Tasmania.

 Wishing all a wonderful, safe and blessed weekend

as I join up with Skywatch Friday

Amazing art

En route to Victoria for Christmas and the New Year,

I stopped off in the South Australian country town of Coonalpyn

to admire the extraordinary and amazing artwork on the

town's silos.  The paintings are of local children.

Follow this link to ABC news for the full story

Artist Guido van Helten

What a phenomenally gifted artist!   I am sure you will agree his work is outstanding and brings on-going benefit to the small town businesses

as travellers driving between South Australia and Victoria

now stop and spend their dollars rather than continuing their journey.

Joining in the fun at Skywatch Friday

- thank you Yogi for hosting. Happy New Year!

Tomorrow's promise

Another glorious sky viewed from Comox on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada in February this year.

 

Praying for the safety of all those affected by the fires in this gorgeous Province.

 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and thanking our hosts

Rockies

This was the stunning view from the aircraft as my flight left Vancouver, BC in Canada

for Comox on Vancouver Island at the beginning of February 2017.

It was a stark reminder to keep things in perspective !

 

Joining in with Skywatch Friday

Eagles

Throughout February & March I was constantly on the lookout for Bald Eagles during my day trips in and around the Comox Valley. Following are the results of my searches.

 

 

  

 This one is a juvenile - I was told - because it still had spotting on its chest and the adult bald eagles don't acquire their magnificent white crowning feathers until the birds are about 4-5 years old.

This group were on the Lazo Bay boat ramp, awaiting fish spoils from the boats that had been out catching Herring & Salmon

 

 

What magnificent creatures they are!  I never tired of seeking them out and observing their graceful flight.

 

Joining in with Our World Tuesday

Wild Bird Wednesday and
Skywatch Friday

(and grateful thanks to the faithful hosts of such blog sites, who give us the opportunity to more widely share our images and experiences)