good-bye summer

It feels like yesterday I said "Hello September", now I'm saying "Good-Bye Summer"! With it still being summer, I have been seeking out autumn! There have been teasing peeks of it.  I wonder how strong the colours will be this year?  I wonder does it matter how hot it has been and how little moisture we have had, will those scenarios make a difference.  We are still in a draught here in the city with water use restrictions still in place.

Since returning from Victoria last Sunday, I have been slow to be "out & about" but I did get "out & about".  On this day I hiked through Pearce Estates and along the Bow River with the intention of checking in on the Siberian Larch Trees.  The views were pretty as I entered the Park, some seasonal shades were scattered here and there. 

It took me a little time to find the Siberian Larch Trees and I blame that on the fact they are still green, as you can see on the left.  If they were at prime time, they would vibrantly stand out instead of blend in. The Siberians do change later than the Tamarack & Larix both of which are found in my mountain playground.

It was too early to find lovely autumn hues in this park, so I shifted focus and played bird nerd.  

The Black-Capped Chickadees with de-de-deing about in large numbers. 

This appeared to be a juvenile Robin, being as curious as can be!

This is a Female Belted Kingfisher, and I say female because of the red. 

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There were no autumn shades to be seen at the Bird Sanctuary on this day, yet there was an autumn feel in the air!  My gloves and fleece were necessary to stay comfortable for the early part of the visit.  My timing was perfect to catch the rays from the sun shining through the trees!  It didn't last long.  As the sun rose higher...

...the fog over the lagoon began to disappear!

starting off the day with a bath

Red Tailed Hawk

Great Blue Heron

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Someone posted photos of sweet shades up on Nose Hill so I knew what I was in for when I went for a hike up there on this day.  I picked areas where I knew the trees were plentiful with narrow winding trails through them.  This was one of the most colourful locations so I entered!

Another colourful location so I entered!

What are you still doing here little bird?  This is a Yellow-Rumped Warbler.  There were a half dozen or so of them busily feasting.  I was surprised to see them as I thought they would already have migrated south.  Then again they could be from further north and stopped in on Nose Hill to dine before continuing on south.

A Merlin framed by autumn shades!

This coyote did not even see me when it popped out of the bushes.  I watched it for a few seconds and then when it turned its head and saw me, it was gone like a flash.  It ran and ran and ran and ran away from me which is what it is supposed to do. 

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I began this water-colour painting a few days ago and finished it today.  No references were used for this one other than a vision I had in my head.  I wanted something autumnish, something woodsy, something inviting, something showing a place where I would love to be.  While I enjoyed first drawing this then painting it, I am not quite content with the final outcome.  I do like the colours and the idea, I did have problems with perspective which only began to show when it came time to paint the cabin which was the last thing I painted other than a few tiny details. All that being said, I do think I would enjoy walking down that walkway, opening the front door, entering in and staying overnight in that cabin in those woods!   

Victoria, British Columbia September 16, 2023

The first thing on today’s agenda was to go to the James Bay Saturday Market which was a hop, skip and a jump to the next block.  It was an ideal way to kick off the morning, listening to the live music and supporting the local crafters by coming away with a few purchased items.  The community spirit filled the air!  

Something else that filled the air each day was the clip clop clip clop sound made by the horse drawn carriage rides as they made their way throughout the neighbourhood.  A horse and carriage was standing by, I made an inquiry, then in a matter of minutes, I stepped up into the carriage and took a seat.  Clay the Clydesdale and Alex (short for Alexandra) the driver were my team for my horse drawn carriage ride.

It was now time to put some kilometres on my walking shoes!  This time I walked further along the Songhees Walkway all the way to Esquimalt Marina and back.  These are a few photos from that walk.  I passed by this location near the start a few times but this was the first time I noticed the mural.

taking time to enjoy the view

Esquimalt Marina

two cruise ships were docked for the day 

along the walkway 

 view towards the Inner Harbour 

In the evening I went out for an eight kilometre loop walk first heading to Dallas Road.  By now the two cruise ships which came from Alaska, stopped in Victoria for the day, were well on their way south.  

 view as I walked along the breakwater 

The wind picked up creating lots of rough waves.  I watched these people kayaking. 

 Before heading back to my home away from home, I stopped in at Fishermen’s Wharf for a late fish and chips dinner.  I watched the activity in the harbour, once again, the Coho is arriving at Victoria.

 view of downtown just before sunset

Butchart Gardens British Columbia September 15, 2023

Hours of easy strolling not covering loads of distance was the plan for today and I  accomplished that at The Butchart Gardens which was just a forty minute transit ride from downtown Victoria.  I have been here a few times and enjoyed what it has to offer, after all, it is a National Historic Site of Canada.  It was a hot day with not a cloud in the sky.  There were lots of shady areas and I lingered in those places longer.

You can see something as simple as a red rose…..

…..to something such as flowers, shrubs and trees galore!

I looked for the simplest things…..

…..to the bigger pictures!

my selfie 

flower lined pathways everywhere

a tranquil spot to sit awhile 

focusing on details 

The time came to follow the pathway to the exit and catch my ride back to the Inner Harbour,  I had more easy strolling to do, but lots of sitting was what I was now looking forward to.

sit and enjoy a beer

sit and savour fish & chips 

sit and watch the sunset

Victoria, British Columbia September 14, 2023

The planned walk for today would cover one great big loop that would offer loads of sights of various kinds.  It was forecasted to be a hot day, I liked that this route would be along water for the majority of the time. This is the view along the walkway leading to Fisherman’s Wharf but I would pass by the Wharf this time.

When I arrived at Dallas Road, I opted to walk the Breakwater the entire way. That is the first part of it on the right. It was mid morning by the time I arrived here and it was hot already,  That lady went for a swim.

The views along Dallas Road are amazing. This is the Clipper coming from Seattle Washington with the Olympic Mountains in the background.

There goes the Coho ferry to Port Angeles Washington and a tall ship at full sail.

time to put my feet up and have a snack 

view while doing so 

looking back to where I was

Eventually I arrived at Clover Point.  

This is the most westerly point of Canada where the Trans Canada Trail

 begins or you could say ends.

after capturing this selfie, I settled in again for another snack 

It was time to veer off  Dallas Road and meander down Cook Street to the little village section. I remembered this coffee shop from when I was here in 2019 so stopped in for another visit.  I was seeking shade more than anything and I found it at a corner table outside.

It’s not the weather for a Pumpkin Spice Latte but it’s the season!

flowers for sale next door to the coffee shop

Beacon Hill Park was the next place on this great big loop I was walking.  It was a good place to find shade.  While the flowers look beautiful, most of the ground looked very dry as did the trees. There are signs everywhere warning of fire danger. 

 beautiful flowers 

This Mallard Duck was very entertaining as it splashed about continuously for a few minutes.

Peacock

After visiting Beacon Hill Park, I aimed for the Inner Harbour and from there went back to my home away from home to put my feet up and cool down. Evening came and it was time to head back out again.  This was the view from along the Songnees Walkway.  

some sights and sounds 

This was not where I planned to be for when the sun set. I dilly dallied too long along my evening stroll and did not make it to the viewpoint, so captured what I could.

more sights and sounds 

from the lawn of the Legislature Building