Photography

Walter Panknin (1898 – 1977) and His Family Ch6 Part 21

/ Peter Klopp / 6 Comments

Biene’s New Friend Angelika

Biene wrote this post.

It didn’t take us long to overcome our initial shyness, and we started to get to know each other during recess. Towards the end of the week, Angelika asked if I would be allowed to visit her on the last day of the school week. We could walk together to her place, and her dad would drive me home at night.

Biene and her Friend Angelika


My parents had no objections, and on Saturday, after early dismissal, we walked together to her home. It was a long walk to an unfamiliar part of town. There were lots of trees and beautiful yards. In Germany, most people do not own houses but live in apartments. Angelika stopped at a big cast-iron gate and opened it with a key. We walked through a long garden path to a big house with many windows. A slender young lady opened the front door. She had raven black hair and pale blue eyes. She kissed Angelika on the cheek with a gentle smile and then greeted me. I hadn’t expected Angelika’s mother to look so young. She served us some delicious little pastries in a bright sunroom. The delicate cakes looked like the ones I had longingly admired in the window of the fancy pastry shop in town. Finally, I tasted these small fruit tarts covered with strawberries and topped with whipped cream.
Frau Janzen asked me many questions about my family, interests, hobbies, and school. She had a gentle voice and kind eyes. After our refreshments, she showed me all the rooms in the beautiful house, and I was reminded of our big, wonderful home in Gotha, which we had lost. Our room at the Old House where we lived now was about the size of this sunroom.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 15 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Sculptures of a Bygone Era

The readers who have been following me for some time will know from my posts that the Arrow Lakes are actually the mighty Columbia River that was dammed into a giant reservoir in the late 1960s. To make room for the project, many orchards and farms were destroyed. Entire forests were cut down. People lost their homes and had to move to higher grounds. Many left the area and never returned. As a result of this upheaval, tree stumps were submerged and only surface when the lake level is down in the dry summer months. I consider these leftovers as an opportunity to capture their stark beauty. Yesterday we took the canoe for a short trip north of the Needles Ferry landing where I found these beauties on the beach. My wife’s hat added that little bit of extra that the photographer in me is always in search of. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 13 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

Thistle Seed head

While camping on the Needle’s side of the Lower Arrow Lake, I observed the transformation of a thistle from a purple flower into a seed head. Most people do not find the final stages of any flower very attractive. Perhaps the image of decay and death troubles them, as they are overlooking the new beginning of life in the presence of myriads of seeds. While a dandelion seed resembles a tiny parachute, the thistle seed looks more like a feathery ball that can travel large distances before it lands on the ground. The wind strongly blew when I took the picture. But the single seed on the upper right was well anchored by a spider’s web string. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 22 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

My Friend The Prairie Dog

My wife and I have been camping for about a week at Arrow Lake, where we found relief from the unbearable heat at home. Forest fires are burning again. But we are fortunate this year. None of the BC forest fires are very close to us and do not endanger our little community. While relaxing in the cool breeze, I notice a gopher (prairie dog) cautiously approaching me. As it peered over a log and looked at me for a long time, I quickly got my camera out. Instead of running away it came closer and closer. Obviously, it recognized me as the friendly human from the previous year. After a few minutes, it was posing for a portrait less than a metre away. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

/ Peter Klopp / 17 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

At the Waterfalls

Yesterday, Biene and I visited the waterfalls at the mouth of the Whatshan River. It was a hot day with a sizzling 32 degrees C. We stopped at our ‘island’ as we have often done in past summers and went for a swim in the crystal-clear and refreshing water between the rocky shoreline and the island. Then we paddled to the waterfalls, taking several pictures of the waterfall. Here is one that I like very much. Enjoy.

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lake

/ Peter Klopp / 11 Comments

Wednesday’s Photos

At the Birdbath

With temperatures soaring and the dry spell continuing, birds of all descriptions seek relief at the birdbath in our yard. Recently, I captured a lark sparrow sitting at the rim and drinking from the basin with a solar-powered fountain.