Kootenays

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 35 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

The Slow but Steady Budding Process – Week 4

With daytime temperatures rarely going above 10 degrees C and continuing chilly nights, it is not surprising that my studies show an unusually slow progress in the development of the four plants: rose, lilac, magnolia and azalea . I am waiting for the magnolia flower to show its beauty before ending my studies. So we will go for another week or two. Our cherry tree is still holding back and is reluctant to display her bridal dress, which normally would be on display in the middle of April.  As a bonus photo, I will publish a photo of our lake and the local mountain with tons of snow on it still visible. Enjoy.

Bonus Photo

Ingarsol Mountain

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 23 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Week 3 of Bud Development Study

It is with great regret that spring in our area has so far been coolish during the days and downright chilly during the nights. Consequently, our flowers have been especially slow in showing off their colours. Normally, our cherry trees would be showing off their splendidly shining spring dresses. Yet, their buds are not even swelling yet. My apologies to all my faithful followers that there was not much change in the bud development! Today was the first warm day, and I was able to transplant my lettuce seedlings in our raised garden beds. This was the first day that I was working  outdoors with my coat off. If the weather continues like this. the buds will finally burst open in week 4. Enjoy.

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Week 3

Rose                                             Lilac                                       Magnolia                                    Azalia

Bonus Video

One of our sons living in Victoria, BC sent me a video that he recorded in his backyard with a crow producing some strange noises I had never heard before. Perhaps some of you specialists of the animal kingdom can tell me, what this mysterious call is all about.

 

Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 24 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Week 2 of Bud Development Study

As one can clearly see, there has not been much change during the past week. The main reason for this slow development is that the night temperatures were still dipping below the freezing point and most days were sunny but very cool. It seems to me that nature does not follow the human calendar, but rather takes clues from her environment, such as temperatures, length of the day time, perhaps even the angle of the sun. I am looking forward to some significant progress next week.

April Week 1 Text

April week 2 Text

Rose                                             Lilac                                       Magnolia                                    Azalia

Bonus Photo: The First Crocus

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I hope you all had an enjoyable and worry-free Easter Weekend.

 

 

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 25 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Budding of some Selected Bushes in April

This is going to be a research project on the budding development of some of the bushes in our backyard. Every week for four weeks in a row, I will take pictures of the same buds, which I have clearly marked with a red ribbon. Each week when I publish a new set of pictures, I will stack them on top of the displays of the previous weeks to allow the viewer an opportunity to follow the magical development of the budding process we enjoy every spring. Enjoy. P.S. It is not too late to start your own research process in your neck of the woods.

April Week 1

Rose                                             Lilac                                       Magnolia                                    Azelia

 

Bonus Photo

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Canada Goose Ready for Take-off

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 35 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Winter Retreating Slowly from the Arrow Lakes

Last weekend under a bright sunny sky, my wife and I went for a leisurely stroll over the local golf course in search of more signs of spring. More and more patches of green had emerged from under the snow. The Canada geese were honking happily at the sight of some fresh grass. The catkins were ready to blow their pollen into the wind,  buds even on the pine trees were already swelling, and the clouds darkening Ingarsol Mountain added drama to the otherwise cheerful scene. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 43 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Still in the Grip of Winter

While day time temperatures have been climbing above the freezing mark, there is no real sign of spring except for a few tulips on the south side of our home, where they had come up with a few leaves to test for spring-like conditions. But the longer days adorned by plenty of sunshine and a splendidly blue sky make up for the snow and ice still present in the Arrow Lakes region, Here are the most recent photos of our excursions around the lakeshore. Enjoy.

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