Category Archives: Nature

Seeing in the mist

Walking along the Bluffs, when the clouds enveloped the hillside, most of the view was obscured, hidden in the mists.

On a clear day, my eye is drawn to the array of islands, Mayne, Prevost, Saltspring, and the larger hills of southern Vancouver Island, and even the gorgeous Olympics beyond. Eagles often soar above and beneath us and the sound of sea lions ascends from the Pass.

But on this misty day, it was different. It  offered a distinctive beauty only ‘visible' when the mist obscures those things that draw the eye on a clear day. It seems that its on misty days the shape of things is revealed. The lichens gleam bright on the darker fir limbs, the mosses almost glow. 

It was in the fog and mist that I noticed the beauty of one tall snag: one I have seen frequently, but not til the mist obscured most everything else did I note its structure, its curves, its peculiar bare beauty. 

Makes me wonder what other beauty I am missing when the sky is clear, and the days are bright.

A new year

We begin in the cold…. The days are short, and the wind is freezing cold from the North-east. But even in these short dark days, the fact is the sun is returning northwards, and the buds are already formed on the twigs; a few bulbs are showing green above the dark soil. 

a colourful start

just before sunrise

I was up early,  and out to the  Point  to enjoy the brilliant dawn colours. Katrina enjoyed sniffing the trails of the raccoons and deer that had visited overnight while  I watched the shifting colours and the morning flights of gulls, geese, and ducks.

The rarity of an almost cloudless sunrise allowed me to identify just how far the sun has moved north. More light, more warmth. And it's most welcome!

Sunrise thoughts

Light and shadow, the shapes of the trees and the openness of the sea as it stretches across to the mainland— the otters have left crab shells and a few crab legs on the point. Perhaps I scared them when they were feasting on the morning catch. A heron squawks loudly as it launches and slowly wings across the bay. Its a lovely bright morning. No low cloud and sea fog obscuring the view today. At least not right now.

In addition to the freshness of the early morning, and the colours of the sunrise, the first light shows the contours of the ground most clearly.  Later, the contours are still there, of course, but not quite as easy to see.

A good reminder for me  to 'take stock' first thing, while the lay of the land is clear and well lit.

daily gifts

nasturtiums on the counter top (click image for a larger view)

Every day the garden needs water. And every day the garden responds,  offering me the gift of its flowers.

Its gifts— nasturtiums, sweet peas, snapdragons— are  multiplied as I arrange little bouquets that sit on the counters and on the table tops; as I photograph the arrangements;  and then as I 'play' with the photos  and take delight in details and nuances of colour and light while processing them and preparing them for sharing.

Thanks for stopping by my photo blog and enjoying some of the things I see... And let me know what you like to see and share.

Nature’s Spotlight

Natures spotlight

This morning’s walk in the forest was a delight with the sun slanting through and highlighting the shapes of trees and roots.

A couple of times I simply had to stop and note the way the sun was highlighting a particular place, as though it was important for us to look and see the lines, the design, the light and shadow.

This photo is one of several I took at those moments, noting what nature’s spotlight was showing me.

What ‘Nature’s Spotlight’ has pointed out to you today?