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A mixed day for weather! It was quite blue this morning and snowing this afternoon. The pictures were mostly taken in between.......


This was sunrise......

And then later, looking north in the direction of Texada Island.

As the early afternoon was pleasant, I went up some of the hills above the city. This is from the top of Nottingham Drive, looking down on Departure Bay. The new ferry isn't out today - it is the one on the right.

And from the same perch, the view towards Mt. Benson. The Nanaimo golf course is the green bit.

Then to the top of a different hill. This is from the lookout on Smuggler's Hill. I have a good view myself, but the view from this housing development on the top of the Smuggler's Hill is spectacular.

This and the next shot are not very light, but I watched this interplay for about 15 minutes yesterday afternoon. The house finch is just sitting, and the Anna's hummingbird was quite upset that he is taking up space on the feeder.

Finally they both decide to have a drink, although I don't know what a finch can get out of the little hole.......


Here is another house finch,

and a chestnut-backed chickadee.

The flower of the day - the heather is quite pretty now.

Butchart

Back to Victoria today......

After a bit of shopping, I took advantage of my Butchart Garden pass. It is always interesting to see what they have in the huge basket hanging in the sign.

It has been frosty with clear skies the last couple of days. The dear little snail looks cold.

This is the path to the sunken gardens.

And here they are - no flowers and clean beds with the little daisy plants that will bloom as soon as there are warm days.

Funny - I have not noticed this birdhouse before...... Cute!

The courtyard was empty of people. The spring garden is in the building on the far side.

The boar - a copy of a statue in Florence, Italy.

Inside the building that is the summer cafe, is the spring garden. Everything is in pots, of course, but it looks like a real garden.

There is even a goldfish pool and waterfall.

The new ferry, the Coastal Renaissance, was just coming in to Departure Bay.

Victoria and Back

This morning the weather began to change for the better.....

Sunrise! Finally I can see the mountains on the mainland - these are zoomed, of course - to the coast range beyond Pender Harbour. This seine boat was heading out - I don't know what they are catching right now.

The last couple of days a flock of pine siskins has been visiting the feeder.

I went to Victoria today. I thought I would get some good pictures, but it hadn't cleared there yet and there was a cold wind blowing. I had a short walk in Beacon Hill Park.



By the time I got back to Nanaimo the sky was lovely and blue, and as I was driving up the Parkway I took a short detour to the top of College Heights. This is part of the panorama. Protection Island is the small one closest to town, and the larger island to the right is Gabriola.

Zooming in on the boat lagoon and Protection Island. There is a freighter anchored on the far side of the island.

This is looking towards the old downtown area. The crane is where the new condos are going in on the waterfront.

Then zooming northward...... Departure Bay is to the right. At the bottom of the picture is Buttertubs Marsh. Just above the entrance to Departure Bay and on the mainland is Sechelt.

The flower of the day...... more snowdrops in Victoria.

Here and There...

I know I am late in updating the pics! I haven't been out for the last couple of days, so here are a few from the past weekend.

This is Long Lake, in North Nanaimo.

Long Lake is a favourite swimming and boating spot in summer - now the ducks are enjoying it in peace.

Then to Parksville, and the park on the ocean.

There were some very large roots and logs that have come in with the storms this winter.

The storms and the high tides have cut away the lawn....

There is a lot of new building along the Parksville waterfront - mostly condos......

This fluffy finch spent most of today in the feeder.

The flower of the day...... the first primroses blooming....

Deep Bay

Quite a nice day today - about 8 degrees C and some sunshine off and on.

I drove up through Parksville and Qualicum to Deep Bay - one of my favourite spots. This part of the Island is called 'Lighthouse Country', and here is the lighthouse.

This is the marina at Deep Bay. The clouds never lifted from the mountains, but the sun was filtering through. The snow on the hills shows up all the logging slashes.....

The dock has a colourful railing. Behind this little bay is a narrow peninsula with one street of houses.

I drove out on this peninsula - and this is the view from the end of it. This is looking north-west up the Island towards Courtenay.

The flower of the day...... a small cheat - these daffs were in a pot outside Thrifty Foods......

January Days....

The first three pictures were taken yesterday - it was mostly cloudy but quite mild.

I drove up to the top of Oakridge - this is the marina channel with Departure Bay to the right.

This is a picture of the new C-class ferry on our Departure Bay / Horseshoe Bay run. It is quite a bit bigger than the old one behind it. As I am going to Vancouver next Monday, maybe I will get to ride on it....... Yes, I do believe in ferries......

This was taken from the new planned subdivision below the Lost Lake Rd., looking down on all the new building on Rocky Point.

Yesterday was nice - today was a different story. It snowed at the higher levels (not at my house) and then warmed up and rained. This is Jingle Pot Rd. this afternoon.

I stopped at the Millstone River - it is usually a small stream, but is now flooding over the banks.

Flower of the day - heather, of course....... all the winter heather is looking very colourful.