Spring has sprung in the West Kootenays

Over the past 25 year, I noticed that certain natural events took place with the regularity of a clock. Within the first ten days of April, mallard ducks would gather in our swampy village drainage ditches. From their winter quarters in the south, Canada geese are returning to their favourite home turf near Fauquier, BC. Let’s not forget the swallows gathering in entire flocks on the ubiquitous power lines. Along the highways, poplars and birches begin to show their light green colours so refreshing for the winter-weary eyes. Impressive are the swollen chestnut buds, ready to burst. Farther west, beyond the Monashee Mountains, I once discovered on a steep hillside overlooking the Kalamalka Lake a floral carpet of arnica flowers. Welcome Spring!

April Showers: Will there be flowers?

Last week, we had plenty of rain and dark clouds billowing in the Arrow Lakes valley. On the bright side, clumps of snowdrops were popping up, brightening up our sun-starved spirits. Making use of the sporadic moments of sunshine, I captured a few of these graceful flowers.

Certainly we must not forget the bright colours of a tulip.

The hairy Stuwwelpeter of the clematis is a delight to view.

When do the flowers in a left-alone yard become wild flowers?

For many years crocuses, violets and primroses brought joy to our northern hearts, colourfully announcing the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Perhaps some of my more knowledgable followers will answer the question above. The crocuses had once been planted many years ago. The same happened to the primroses that keep coming back as companions of a mountain ash tree. Most impressive are the violets that have spread on a shady area in the backyard. Their numbers have multiplied and turned into a veritable floral carpet. Another discovery yesterday was the hairy bud of a magnolia bush. Give it another week and the insects will have a feast. They will come without any special invitation.

Blue Sky and Sunshine Fight the Winter Blues

Boat Dock Waiting for the Fishing Boats to Open the new Spring Season

The rock becomes a giant compared with the snow-covered mountain.

A pair of gulls so close together they appear to stand only on two legs

Canada Geese on their Return Flight to their Home Territory in Canada

Still Snow on the Mountains

More Discoveries at the Lower Arrow Lake

Tree Stump Gracefully Stretching Its Legs After Six Decades of Peaceful Rest

Tall Grasses Mocking the Snow and Ice in the Mountain Landscape at Burton

Fairy-like Roots Gather at the Glorious Lake Scenery for their Spring Meeting

Of Rocks, Roots, and Shadows of the Past

A giant dropped this massive rock sculpture here, so its photo might delight my blogging friends.

Ancient tree stumps huddle together, missing the long gone forest that once flourished on fertile land.

Once a verdant tree, now dead in the sand, the stump reduced to a shadowy spectre of its former self.

Still deeply rooted, it serves with outstretched arms as Nature’s sentinel over human recklessness.