Spider Lake

Following on from last Saturday's post, here are some more views 

around Spider Lake

 The serenity offered by these surroundings was almost tangible

. . . but also, sadly, evidence of the destructive force of a recent

storm - reportedly the worst experienced on the island for decades.

Hundreds of trees were uprooted, roofs lifted off and many homes

across not only the island, but also in parts of Vancouver and its

southern suburbs, were without power for several days.

Several Provincial Parks were closed for safety reasons.

 

Joining in with James' Weekend Reflection

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

Riverside walks

Views from my home for two months over Christmas/New Year

Looking across to the Coastal Mountain range on mainland British Columbia from Vancouver Island

 

I occasionally joined a delightful group of people once a week for a morning walk through the Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery park

 

I continue to be mesmerised by the wonderful markings and colours on these

(I think) Harlequin ducks floating on the river there.

Is it just my crazy imagination at play again, or can anyone else

see a sea lion in this tree root??!

Joining in the fun at Our World Tuesday

with grateful thanks to the team who run this meme

Walk with me ...

One of several walks I regularly enjoyed in Comox (mid Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada) was through Brooklyn Creek Greenway which connected to 

Mack Laing Park.

The following images were captured in June 2018 but it was a very

different scene two weeks ago as an unusually cold Winter

brought lots of snow -  but I'll share those images with you another day.

This is the access stairway from Balmoral Avenue

 Funghi

 More funghi - is it just my crazy distorted imagination,

or is that a warped and sad face I see on that trunk ??!!

 Gateway to ..... ?

Always a delightful place to visit, bringing with it a wonderful

sense of serenity and appreciation for nature's beauty

I hope you get to visit sometime.

Meanwhile, joining in with Gemma's

Macro Monday 2

Fishing

While exploring Spider Lake (on Vancouver Island)

I spotted this chap patiently waiting for the fish to bite.

It was a misty morning which added to the delightful adventure.

Happily linking up once more with James' 

Weekend Reflection

.... and a happy, safe weekend to all.

Coastal Mountains

This is part of the British Columbia coastal mountain range

viewed from the shores of Bowser on Vancouver Island

Earlier this week I returned from yet another amazing 3 month

stay on magnificent Vancouver Island so am now once again

able to upload and share some of the breath-taking scenery 

that part of the world has to offer, and resume connecting 

with my blogger friends.

As my brain realigns with the southern hemisphere, I shall

be content to start posting again with the above contribution to Alan's

Skywatch Friday

Wishing you all a safe and happy weekend