Kootenays

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 25 Comments

Wednesday’s Videos

Mallard Ducks and Raging Waters

The contrast between the peace and serenity of our yard and the raging waters of a nearby creek could not be any stronger. On the one hand, there is the pastoral scene of the mallard duck couple happily searching and eating the sprouting vegetation in our yard. We had so much rain that small ponds developed in the low lying sections of our property which attracted the water loving creatures. On the other hand, there was the unnerving warning from our regional district that there was an imminent danger of flooding. Many communities were put on an evacuation alert, as the rivers and creeks were overflowing after heavy rains just a week ago. My wife and I went to have a look at Taite Creek some 10 km south of where we live. Here are two short videos that show peace and power provided by mother Nature. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 21 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Lilac Finally Shows off its Flowers

You will recall the budding development studies a couple of weeks ago. After six weeks of waiting, the magnolia bush put its beautiful flowers on glorious display. Then as a big surprise, the azalea plant, which had been so slow during the entire period, suddenly as if in response to my taunting was bursting out with a colourful and victorious cry: I am not going to be last as predicted by that ignorant blog writer Peter. And in third place comes the blooming lilac bush. So the rank order is official now. For the rose (in fourth place) to blossom, we will need to wait at least another week.

First: Magnolia
Second: Azalea
Third: Lilac

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 41 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Invitation to Feast and to Pollinate

This is our red delicious appletree. Today I noticed a lot of humming and buzzing around the blossoms. We have no honey bees in our community. So I thought I would only be seeing bumblebees. To my great surprise, there were other insects, some looked like wild bees and others I have not encountered before. Perhaps some of you insect experts like my blogging friend Gerhard in Germany could figure out and report back their names. Enjoy.

Bumble Bee with Red Thighs
Another Kind of Bumble Bee
Looks Like Some Kind of a Fly

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 24 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Three Different Kinds of Apple Blossoms

All of a sudden, it’s apple blossom time in the Arrow Lakes region. In our mini-orchard, we have three varieties of apple trees: the Grafenstein, the Red Delicious and the Crab Apple. The Grafenstein apple tree blossoming first is also earliest to produce very delicious and juicy fruit. Unfortunately, they need to be consumed rather quickly, because they quickly become mealy and lose their crispiness. On the other hand, the Red Delicious produces somewhat harder apples but has the definite advantage of being excellent keepers. Just today my wife made the last apple cake with the very last batch of the crop. The crab apple produces very small fruit not suitable for eating, but its red flowers are truly magnificent.

Apple Blossom
Gravenstein Blossoms
Red Delicious
Red Delicious Blossoms
Crab Apple Blossom
Crab Apple Blossoms

By the way, on last week’s post, I must have insulted the poor little azalea bush by claiming that it is going to be last to bloom. Guess what, right behind the magnolia tree, it has taken second place in the rank order of my budding studies.

Azalea
Azalea,  last week a mere bud, now a magnificent flower

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 28 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Bud Development Study Ends With Today’s Post

After weeks of slow budding of the four bushes under investigation, I can report a veritable explosion in the growth development. Nature has finally woken up and although a whole month late Spring has sprung. The photos of the final week showed more growth than the combined development of the previous five. The magnolia bush is clearly the winner showing off its magnificent splendour. The lilac came in second. I expect the rose bush to burst into full bloom in another two weeks, and poor little azalea sitting in a shaded and cool area of our yard will be last. I found this study quite interesting and so did you following me. My plan is to repeat the study with four other flowering shrubs in 2021.

 

Rose                                          Lilac                                Magnolia                                    Azalia

Bonus Photo

“Should we risk going into Peter’s garden?

IMG_0977Edited

 

 

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 17 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

The buds are finally waking up. Week 5

A heavy rain and mild temperatures were the start signal for the buds to grow. I am especially impressed with the magnolia flower for finally showing its splendid colour. The only plant having to be content with less light and a cooler microclimate and therefore far behind the other buds is the azalea. Next week I will conclude this mini-study on the budding development of four of our backyard plants. The cherry trees are now in full bloom and show off their brilliant bridal garments. Enjoy.

April Week 1 TextApril week 2 TextWeek 3week 4week 5

Bonus Photo: A Violet from our BackyardvioletS