Victoria British Columbia October 16, 2026

 I opened the curtains this morning and saw a cotton candy sky as a good morning greeting!  

Why not have an Aperol Spritz as another good morning greeting!

It was calm as the city began to wake up.

With no need to be somewhere at a certain time, I let every distraction distract me. The Songhees Walkway was busy with walkers like me and others commuting to work, or heading to a ferry or to a seaplane.  The colours caught my eye as did everything else.

The entire walkway to Esquimalt held some kind of beauty 

worthy enough to stop and give admiration. 

 Birds were in abundance!  

I spent lots of time being a birder! 

Here are some of my favourite sightings.  

Red-tailed Hawk

Dark-eyed Junco

Anna’s Hummingbird 

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Great Blue Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Close to three hours later, I arrived back to downtown Victoria.  As if I had not walked enough, it was time to stroll the shopping area. This sign caught my attention! I entered the store and came out with…..

…..these items! I purchased my first ever quill, some real watercolour paper and paints made in Canada.  I would like to create a watercolour painting from one of my photos from this trip, using these items.  

As if I had not walked enough, after going back to my home away from home to drop off stuff and freshen up, I headed back out for a sunset stroll. 

 view from my balcony at day’s end