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

Walk in the Park

It was time to get away from the desk, a lovely, relatively cool day beckoned

so I chose to visit the delightful walking trails provided in nearby

Torrens Valley at Highbury.

(Having intended to focus on the walk and not photography, I didn't take along my Nikon,

however, I couldn't resist taking some shots, so my Smartphone had to suffice...!)

Adelaide is a blaze of purple at present, as the glorious Wisteria shows off its beauty

... and here, I think, is a what looks like a wild sweet pea ?

Wishing you all a safe and happy week as we link up with grateful thanks to the hosts of

Our World Tuesday

Beautiful bird day

Yesterday I was blessed to share a spontaneous photo-shoot with a good friend

who took me to a wetlands area I'd not seen before.

Birdlife was in abundance and we enjoyed a delightful few hours there.

 A pair of Royal Spoonbills, a Black Winged Stilt a Black Swan and others

 White faced Heron

 Sacred Ibis sharing the log with a Heron

 

 Sacred Ibis stretching

 An Intermediate Egret (I think!)

Wishing you all a superb weekend.

Linking up with James'  Weekend Reflection

Comox Estuary

Taken back in March this year - this spot is on the edge of the Estuary between Comox and Courtenay on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

 

Contributing to James' Weekend Reflection

Cameron Lake

Beautiful Cameron Lake out of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island,

British Columbia, Canada

 

Linking up once again with James' Weekend Reflection

(thank you James for hosting)



A Winter's day

Adelaide's winter began on 1 June and it was the coldest start to the season in 70 years!

(overnight 2.9C and daytime max of 15C)

Today it climbed to 17C and was an absolutely splendiferous day -

slightly crisp air with blue skies, but the sun still made its presence felt.

 

Again, it was too good a day to spend indoors (notwithstanding I have a couple of computing and photographic deadlines looming), so mid afternoon I visited a nearby park for a walk with my Nikon and was duly rewarded!

 

 

 

What a treat to catch this sweet Jenny Wren - they are usually so flighty I find it hard to spot one, never mind get a shot in focus!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend as I link up with James'

Weekend Reflection

Twice the bird

A glorious day tempted me outside and away from my computer yesterday; with camera and tripod I drove to a nearby area I pass often on the way to a friend's home at Oakden.

What a delight to discover there is more than one lake adjacent to the coffee shop and an abundance of birdlife.

 

Here a Pelican and Ibis share the area

 . . . and here is one section of a lake

 

This Pelican was doing contortions during its preening process!

 



  while here was one of a multitude of Ibis

 



 The Pelican seems to be admiring himself in the water

 

 . . . and the preening continues (the red reflection is of someone walking by on the adjacent bank)

 

 

I so love these giant birds with their unseemly gait on land but graceful flight in the air!

 

Linking up with James' Weekend Reflection

 

 

Unsettled skies

Above the calm waters in Comox, unsettled clouds created a scene of their own

 

For other sky scenes from around the world, visit

Skywatch Friday

Comox in Winter

While Adelaide, South Australia, was sweltering in temperatures above 40C, it began snowing in Comox the day after I arrived and continued for about a week.

Following are some of the scenes that "filled up my senses" for the ensuing 2 months.

My love for this part of our world has become firmly entrenched in my life

so I ask your forgiveness if I become repetitive with either the images or descriptions!

 

 The view over the Comox estuary looking towards Goose Spit

 

From Comox Harbour, adjacent to the Marina - again looking towards Goose Spit, but closer

 

 A sturdy Palm showing its resilience!

 

Within the residential part of Comox at dusk 

 Comox Marina

 

 I've had no success in identifying this bird, so would be most grateful if someone can do so!

Near Portuguese Joe's fish outlet 

On the banks of the Marina 

 A beautiful Robin enjoying the warmth of sunshine

Looking across the Marina Park towards the Beaufort Ranges 

Logs washed up on the shores of the Harbour 

 

A Blue Heron near the Marina's banks

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed a taste of the Comox Valley - there'll be more in coming weeks.

Linking up with the fascinating site Our World Tuesday and thanking our hosts