Random scenes

Through community garden connections I recently had an opportunity to tour the physics lab and the University Of Victoria.  I met a couple who work in the lab recently at a pot luck event at a new community garden in Victoria where they are gardeners.  She is one of two people who are trained to operate what is the worlds most powerful electron microscope.  Originally from Colombia, Christina operates the scope and her husband interprets the data. 

  

Christina and her little toy

 

Other microscopes in the lab

 

 

 An interesting and impressive place

 

Peahen and her brood

 

A visit and lunch at Symphony Vineyards with my friend Kathryn

Lucien finally received his Canadian citizenship documents after a year and a half wait

Feeding time for young herons

 

Some are preening, some are bums up

Art, garden, herons

This was the 33rd anniversary  of the Moss Street Paint In (minus the two covid years) sponsored by the Art Museum.  The entire length of Moss St., some 20 blocks, is closed off to cars and as many as 150 artists set up their booths displaying their art while they execute more as you watch.  The only one I photographed is the booth of Tanya Bubb, a sculptor who works with driftwood.  She makes lovely, endearing pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Discovery Island there is a sort of depression, a sunken, enclosed area just on the other side of dunes from the ocean.  The trail leading through this area was full of these pretty, yellow flowers.  No idea what they are.

My garden is really flourishing right now with days of warm sunshine.  The little poblano pepper shows some promise.

I think I may have overdone it with the basil.  There really is a lot.  I could make a batch of pesto every day.

Everything is bursting with growth including the tomatillo, the zucchini, the bush beans.

The bees love these leek flowers.

 

 

 

Garden video

 I see that the video of the garden didn't work so I'm sending again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywgYkJ0XwkU

Let me know

Garden, paddling, park, pride and birds

With some warm weather the garden has really taken off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys1RhukwV2w

 

My first paddle of the year; a shore paddle with friends

 

And my first paddle to Discovery Island of the year.  On the day with the lowest tides of a generation, the water was flat and the sun was shining.  Aside from a few harrowing moments in some nasty currents, it was blissful. 

 

And, as always, the park

 

 

 

 

Pride returns  

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/G9BnuwtJG8g  

An estimated 30,000 people attended.  People busting loose after two years of restrictions.

 

+

 

 

Some action in the heron rookery

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rtHSoi2Crrg

 A couple of days ago a bunch of crows were going ballistic over the roof of the building next door, cawing madly and flapping around.  I looked out and saw a little pile of bloody feathers probably belonging to a crow that had fallen prey to an eagle.  The crows continued in this agitated way over the rest of the day and the next.  Then an eagle landed, maybe the original predator, and snacked a bit more.  The crows went berserk.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF0bocobd6s

What's left of that little pile of feathers is still there but the crows have moved on.

Lucien birthday, the park, an eagle

 Another milestone, Lucien's 14th birthday!!  Here he is launching into his favourite:  pineapple upside down cake, as it is made on the river, in a Dutch oven.  This was a treat that they made on the rafting trips he went on with his dad. 

Another eagle snacking on some hapless critter on the roof next door.  This happened about a year ago and in that instance it was a baby heron the eagle was devouring.  This time I just caught sight of it at the end of the meal.  I thought it was interesting that the crows were just standing around quietly, looking for an opportunity, not making a fuss as they usually do.

Another stroll through Beacon Hill Park.  Always something beautiful to see.

This is the biggest poppy I've seen. 

Reunion/Butchart Gardens etc

For the first time in almost two and a half years my entire family reunited here in Victoria.  

 

Needless to say, it was totally wonderful to have everybody together.  Lots of chatting, cooking, eating, playing games and exploring downtown.

Demian, Annette and I went to Butchart Gardens on their last day.  It was a sunny day, still too early in the season for the crush of tourists that arrive later and the gardens were stunning.  They always are but this time we were all blown away.  And every time I go I tell myself that I don't need any more Butchart Gardens photos but every time I can't resist.  They're just so darn beautiful.

 

As you can see, tulips were the star of the show

 

 Camas lilies in full bloom in Beacon Hill Park