Our World Tuesday: Fraser River

I am a lover of winter, of long rainy days, of strong cold winds and most particularly, of snow and ice.

Living on the temperate West Coast of British Columbia, I rarely get a chance to experience the latter, although rain we do have in abundance. I was, therefore, delighted when the temperature plummeted below freezing last week. On Saturday morning,  I eagerly packed up my camera and set out with my husband to see how the Fraser River had fared in the cold. We wound up in Burnaby's Foreshore Park, where the edges of the tidal river had frozen and shattered into chunks as its water ebbed and flowed. I happily snapped some shots and puttered about in the ice thinking it might be the last I'd see this season. Leaving the park to head homeward, we passed a Cactus Club Restaurant on Marine Drive. To my absolute delight, they had their fountain turned on and the resulting spray had coated the surrounding plant life with clusters of diamond-like jewels. They formed frozen sculptures of bizarre and beautiful form that were simply glorious. We quickly went around the block and stopped to check out the other-worldly shapes. The sun obliged by peaking out to throw everything into relief, and even a wintry gale and freezing hands did nothing to move me along quickly . Because I have a husband of infinite patience and good will, who shares my fascination with the mysterious ways of nature, we thoroughly enjoyed our chilly afternoon. For more pictures from around the world, do check out the link below... http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.ca/

Saturday Photo Hunt: Intricate

This is my first entry into the meme, The Saturday Photo Hunt. This week's prompt word is "intricate".

 Immediately, I thought of shots I'd taken last year at a swap meet in Abbotsford, BC.  I had apparently been fixated on intricacies at the time, zooming in on whatever grabbed my attention, beginning with the large bowl above.

Here are a few of the others...

Chandelier crystals...

Blue platter...

 Fabric purses...

All things sparkly...

Japanese parasol...

 And of course, when it comes to intricate, no-one does detail as well as Mother Nature, clearly evidenced in the delicate orchid...

For more intricate photos, check out Sandi's site at the link below...

http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/

Skywatch Friday: Crescent Beach

A typical winter's day on the west coast of B.C., where grey skies blend seamlessly with leaden seas.

             These were taken at Crescent Beach a short  while ago...

           For more photos of skies, please drop in to Skywatch Friday at the link below... 

http://skyley.blogspot.ca/

Signs, Signs: Louisiana

In October, my husband and I flew into Dallas, then rented a car to breeze through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Leaving New Orleans, we drove south in a quest to hit the end of the state.

When we did reach the southernmost point, we couldn't  actually see the Gulf as the land was privately owned. 

Nonetheless, it was one of our favourite parts of the trip.

This is my first time joining in 'Signs, Signs' for a year and I've missed playing. Thanks for hosting, Lesley!

For more signs from around the world, pop into 

Signs, Signs at...

http://signs2.blogspot.ca/

Repost: Antelope Canyon

I've been out of touch for the last year, but have not forgotten the many dear friends I made on line.With apologies for the long absence, I hope to reach out and reconnect with each and every one of you.

I'm beginning with a repost, in part because my very rusty skills are in need of a jump start. I am also inspired by the work of photographer,Eric Pouhier, recently brought to my attention by my brother, Martin.     

On a road trip to Utah a few years ago,my husband and I made a detour into northern Arizona.

I had always 
been 
fascinated by 
pictures I'd 
seen of slot 
canyons 
and a stop 
at Antelope Canyon 
was definitely 
on my 
bucket list.

The Upper Canyon did not disappoint, though we did not get as much time to look as we had hoped. A rain storm approached and we were quickly hustled out.

The very same forces of water that formed the glorious swirls of sandstone over time also present considerable danger to unwary tourists who fail to heed the warnings of flash floods.

(My regular readers will know that this only peaks our interest further!)

Grey and stormy though the day was, the sandstone walls simply glowed in what little light filtered down.

Seen from above, there is little indication of the beauty that    lies beneath.





Once plodding through water, even our foolhardy selves were forced to admit it was time to leave, but I know it will not be the last time we visit this wondrous place.

In Aunt Helen's House

In Aunt Helen’s house, time seemed to pause in its endless journey, as if lulled into forgetting its usual sense of urgency.

Pale afternoon sun would arc across warm, wood floors and come to rest in the folds of a cardigan draped loosely over a chair. Logs would crackle gently in the  fire, filling the air with a familiarity that declared this was home.

The first thing one noticed about Helen was that each and every day of life was an adventure, a cause to exclaim, “Well, isn’t life wonderful”.

 At ninety-seven, she still  lived alone, yet she never had to fear feeling lonely. Family and friends, (of the two-legged and four-legged kind) dropped by daily to soak up the atmosphere of contentment in a life well-lived that Helen and her surroundings exuded. There was always a bracing drink for the humans and cheese and biscuits for the many dogs embraced as loving friends now that her days of pet ownership were behind her.

 

 With time, she weakened and could no longer get around as well as before...but she still missed little and continued to greet each day with anticipation.

 From her wing chair by the fire, Helen would tilt eagerly toward visitors. “Now tell me what you did today, dear,” she’d encourage us, her interest genuine, her focus centered on the response.   

When questioned about her own day, she’d beam widely and talk about the history article she’s just read, or give us her take on the latest news story. 


Of course, conversations inevitably came back to the widespread family she adored. It was clear we were all of us cherished.

 Helen’s life is the standard by which I’ve begun to gauge my own journey. I may or may not manage to write the book I’ve talked about for years, or finish getting my Fine Arts degree. Other interests may prevail, obstacles will no doubt demand my time and attention. 


But if I live each day to its fullest, and find joy in every one of them, as she did, I will be content. 

To the best of my ability, I want to be present in each moment , and if I’m fortunate enough to share my days with the people and animals I love, then I too will be able to say, “Isn’t life wonderful!”

We lost our beloved matriarch this weekend, when her tired body gave up the fight and led her to Heaven,  but we will forever bask in the light of grace that blessed those of us fortunate enough to be taken into her boundless heart.

Now it is in our hearts that she will rest with us always.

We loved you immeasurably, Helen. We will always remember your kindness, your generosity of spirit and your capacity to wring the best out of each day even when it seemed impossible. 

We will do our best to embrace life with the same vigour you did, and when we meet again, it will be to sit once more by a crackling fire and exchange the stories of our lives...

 .

U is for Ungulate

Because I was stumped on what to use for the letter 'U' today, I'm reprising information used in an earlier post about our amazing African trip...
Note: I will be away this week but will most certainly respond to comments when I return...thanks for stopping by!

Masai Giraffe

 Ungulate” refers to any animal with hooves. Ungulates are the grazers and browsers of the world, accounting for the majority of herbivores currently on earth.

Africa’s list of ungulates is longer than in any other continent and East Africa is particularly noted for its diversity and abundance of these mammals. 

 Common Zebra

Unfortunately, a fair number of these species are also threatened or endangered.

Grevy's Zebra with Antelope

 Wildebeest Herd

In areas where rainfall is scattered and seasonal,  animals must travel great distances to satisfy their nutritional needs....

 Young Zebra with Cape Buffalo

The end of the rainy season in May results in the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and other herbivores, as great herds of animals cross north from the parched Serengeti, across the Mara River and into the Masai Mara Reserve in search of food and water.  

 It is thought that one-and-a-half million wildebeest take part in this migration along with hundreds-of-thousands of zebra and gazelle.

Complementary grazers preferring different parts of the same grass, Plains zebra and wildebeest often travel together. 

 Zebras, with their superior vision and hearing, serve as an early warning system for the wildebeest…and given the choice, predators prefer wildebeest meat to zebra, so zebras  can find safety in their midst.

Ungulates have always been important to humans all over the world. We've hunted them...domesticated them to provide us with food, fibre, transportation and a variety of other things.

In many cases, we've also pushed them to the point of extinction. 

 Wildebeest frolicking...

This puts more at risk than the animals. Locals depend on the tourism that drives the economy in East Africa.

Studies reveal that 60% of the large mammals in protected areas- lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, rhinos, and wildebeest - have been lost in the last two to three decades alone.

 Quite simply,

there is no more time to lose is we are to preserve the magnificent and diverse population of the African savanna...

White Rhinoceros

Please stop by ABC Wednesday for more takes on the letter "U"...

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/