Kootenays

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lake

/ Peter Klopp / 26 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Junco Posing for the Photographer

It is hard to believe. But recently as I was walking past a maple tree I noticed a little bird with a black cap, a cute little junco, sitting on a branch. Normally they fly away as soon as you point the camera in their direction. It is quite possible that he must have observed me a couple of times as I was filling the bird feeder and perhaps thought that no harm could come by staying and in gratitude would allow me to take a couple of shots. Well, if this sounds like an unbelievable story, have a look at the pictures and decide for yourself. Enjoy.

IMG_2952JuncoIMG_2951JuncoIMG_2947JuncoIMG_2946JuncoIMG_2953Junco.jpg

 

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lake

/ Peter Klopp / 31 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Late Bloomers

So many people living in the northern parts of the world keep complaining about Spring taking too much time in coming. The good news from the Arrow Lake is that Winter is on the retreat although slowly and reluctantly. Where the snow has disappeared I found three kinds of flowers: one, not quite open and still hidden under a fuzzy blanket, the flower of a magnolia bush, the second, the crocuses, single and in groups, and the third, the beautiful snowdrops more than two months late. According to a German single record by Heintje snowdrops are making their appearance in February. Enjoy the photos.

IMG_2903MagnoliaIMG_2898CrocusIMG_2889SnowdropIMG_2887Crocus

IMG_2888Snowdrops

Here is the song in German Snowdrops in February:

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 32 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

More Birds and a Squirrel

On Easter Sunday we had another load of snow descending on us and it felt like winter all over again. The ground eagerly awaiting Spring was covered by more than 5 cm of snow. Our feathery friends being aware of the extended winter season gathered around our bird feeders in greater numbers than ever before. The northern flicker and her colourful mate made their appearance. I also had the stellar jays pose for me a little more confidently than their wary attitude would normally allow them to do. Then, of course, while not being a bird, the squirrel would not want to miss out on the banquet feast. Enjoy!

SBird1sBird4sBird6sBird5squirrel1

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 39 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Occasionally I will post a video highlighting the natural splendour of the Arrow Lake region in the West Kootenays, BC, Canada. Technically, a video consists of thousands of individual images, which when strung together create the illusion of motion. The original one hour long video recording was reduced to just over a minute. It creates an impressive video effect. In my video editing program I accelerated the slowly moving clouds by a factor of 50 and 75. Because no frames have been lost in the process, the video file still kept a size of over 40 MB. The Fauquier-Needles ferry takes  five minutes to cross the lake, while on this accelerated video it takes only a few seconds. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 34 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Photo Essay

After so much praise Winter should say good-bye and let Spring have her say.
Arriving at the Fauquier Boat Dock

Arriving at the Fauquier Boat Dock

Rose Hips Ready for Spring

Rose Hips Ready for Spring

Fungus Growth on a Birch Tree

Fungus Growth on a Birch Tree

There are three human figures hidden in the ice. Can you see them?

There are three human figures hidden in the ice. Can you see them?

Beautiful Ingorsol Mountain

Beautiful Ingersoll Mountain Viewed through a Frame of Driftwood

You can also view my photo stream at flickr.com. Photos are taken mostly from the Arrow Lakes area. Simply search for Peter Klopp under people.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 39 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Incredible Accumulations of Snow

There seems to be no proper balance of climate on this planet of ours. Some regions, even though they are located on the same latitude, get very little or no snow at all. People from these snow poverty stricken areas complain when they look at my pictures. And I reply you can have half of this white stuff, and we would still have more than enough. Oh well, as President Carter so wisely once stated, nothing is fair in life. I hope when viewing my pictures, you get a sense how our winters have been in the last couple of years. Enjoy!

Backyard Accumulations

Masses of Snow in our Backyard

Casting Shadows

Casting Shadows

Golf Course

Ingersol Mountain on a Wintery Day

Snow Sculpture

Snow Sculpture at the Boat Dock

Snow Tunnel

Giant Snow Tunnel at Taite Creek

You can also view my photo stream at flickr.com. Photos are taken mostly from the Arrow Lakes area. Simply search for Peter Klopp under people.