Sunrise over Mt. Washington

Thought this was so beautiful to see this morning.........

Almost 2011.............

Record Snow on Mt. Washington

Record snowfall on Mt. Washington over the past few days. I took these, this morning, from our front hill.

5 1/2 metres of snow dumped way up there. The ski hill is turning people away in droves.....cars and chalets are getting buried.

Love this shot through the trees, with the mist and fog and snow in the distance.Brrrrr......

Christmas Eve Storm 2010

The lighthouse on Quadra Island. It was incredibly difficult taking this pictures, as the surf was crashing right near by, the wind howled like a banshee, and standing was almost impossible.

This is down at the church. Flooding in the main yard. Ducks might like this, though.

Coastline in storm. Rain on the lens...couldn't keep it dry.

Standing against the wind....hard to stand up.......

Tossed beach logs onto the pullout.

Frosty Winter Morn

Sunrise on a frosty December morning

"The joy of Christmas is a joy that war cannot kill, fo rit is the joy of the soul and the soul cannot die. Like an opening flower, gold, upon the heanven's deep clear cobalt, as of old. The star of Christmas peace will illuminate the world." ( F .Cardinal Spellman)

Chubby Varied Thrush

Couldn't resist this chubby little Varied Thrush. A lot of little birds feeding in the yard, but this one seems to either have fluffed out his feathers against the cold, or has eaten more than his share of black oil sunflower seeds.

First Snow

Okay, so it's not exactly a blizzard.......maybe later.....but there are a ton of birds roosting in the plum trees at the back of the terrace. They seem to think there's a lot of snow. I spread a lot of black oil sunflower seed all under the bushes....don't seem to like the bird feeder. I got rid of the feeder, so every day I put out fresh pans of seeds and toss some under the bushes. Seems to work.

My wall.....pretending it's very brrr.......

Last of the grape leaves....hardy things.

Yes, I know...it's not exactly three metres of snow, but it's a dusting. Everyone around here gets all excited about the first snow. Ever noticed that businesses do really well, when it snows? I heard someone humming Christmas carols yesterday, in the store, when the snow started......oh, oops, that was me....

WInter Mountains and Stellar Jays

Snow at last in the mountains.................

Crisp clean colour Nov. 11th sunrise.................................

Closer look at Mt. Washington range...snow has arrived. Better batten down the hatches.

Dame morning, 15 minutes later...........

Cheeky Stellar Jay. Thinks the seed tray is his.

His friends showed up but they were not allowed in the seed tray.

I think he posed for this one.......

More Jays........never saw then here before this year.

November sunrise

Sunrise at 7:09 am this morning........

Then sunrise at 7:15 am.........................

Pitch dark outside, set the shutter speed really slow on the camera and waited till I could catch it.....still dark outside, but a glimmer of light showed at last. All pink and frothy........just amazing.

Stellar Jay

This fellow comes every day to feed off the Black Oil Sunflower Seeds I put out in a pan. He is very cheeky, very loud, and soooo funny to watch. He thinks he own the pan. Nothing much growing in the garden, but the birds are all over the seeds on the grass, or the ledges.

Glorious

No words to describe......

.....this.........but.......

Glorius...............................

Grape Vines

We decided to cut back on the grape vines, to stop the neighbourhood cats from sitting under the branches, so they can swipe at the birds. Darn cats have decided that our grape vines are prime hunting ground......the cats are sweet, but silly. If they miss a bird they just keep on trying. Found partially eaten heads and tail feathers in a few places.....just hope the crows will eat the leftovers quickly. We picked the last of the fruit, just ahead of the jays and starlings. Have been throwing out seeds for the birds. That's probably why the cats are coming here. The jays just screech at the cats. Funny. And I feed the birds, and the birds feed the cats. Life cycle.........
Cold day today, and there is a mess left from the hail storm yesterday. Later on today we are pressing grapes into wine.

Moon on Water......First Day of Fall

We were driving back from Salmon Point last night. Absolutely perfect moon o water.....came to a roaring stop at the beach turnout. We all piled out of the car and I could hardly wait to take these.....

Loved the effect a different lighting took through the grasses.

Exposed a little too much.....but kind of cool......

It started to rain, at this point.....and toreential downpour started...........what a great moon.

Fog and Mist

Just love the fall. My favourite time of year, I think. Everything gets peaceful and quiet and foggy and misty. The moisture just drips from the trees and hangs in the air.Yes, we live in a rainforest.

Fog dissapating just below us, as the sun rises, early on the first day of school.

September Wine

Apple wine....2009 harvest.....12% alcohol......not sure if that is important to know or not.... ( but it's really good to cook with)

Next year's crop coming down................

Ladders to reach up high..............

Buried by apple tree branches.......they touched the ground this year............

Wine Rack is starting to fill up. What will I do with all of this wine?

Clear.................very clear...........

THis is the corking thingy..........keep your fingers clear of this......or they'll end up with the cork.

Toppers...................I liked the red ones.

Corks made of recycled plastic.............

First bottle of apple wine............

The big bottle to syphon................looks like apple juice...........

Cleaning the bottles.......................

Bottles, bottles everywhere...............