Hawthorn Blossoms in Early July at Spectacle Lake

(2012-07-01)

AD AD

Spectacle Lake

120701 

AD AD

Buttertubs Marsh

121010 

AD AD

Acorn at Buttertubs Marsh

Almost any season is a great season to take a walk around Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo, but Spring and Autumn stand out has being particularly nice. Especially if you're taking pictures. On this October day, the oak leaves were trying ever so hard to turn colours and the acorns were out in full glory.

121010 

AD AD

Red Berries Celebrate Autumn at Jack Point

After parking the car and then walking the trail that parallels the Jack Point shore for a few hundred metres, Biggs Park visitors will encounter an short boardwalk which then turns right onto a set of stairs. Just at the point where the path leads onto the stairs, October visitors (and also later into the winter), will see and amazing assortment of red Hawthorn berries. Postcard material!

Hawthorn berries (2012-10-17)

121017 AD AD

October Colours of the Arbutus Tree at Jack Point

The month of October is a great month for catching some of Nature's brightest colours. On this occasion I've taken a walk in Biggs Park, out along Jack Point. Shortly after parking the car and starting along the shore with a view to the city of Nanaimo, walkers encounter a bit of an Arbutus (Madrona to our American friends ) grove. Usually known for it's bright, reddish, and at times quite greenish, bark, the Arbutus tree also bears some wonderfully orange seeds or berries.

The fruit (berries) of the Arbutus
(Arbutus menziesii) tree. (2012-10-17)

121017 AD AD

Hemer Park Blackberries in October

Autumn is a great time to take walk in the parks of Nanaimo. This past October we decided to see what autumn colours we'd find in Hemer Park by Holden Lake. There were plenty of colours, but these blackberries, clearly still in spring or early summer mode caught my eye. Given the lateness of the season, I doubt these berries will ripen. But they make an interesting postcard nonetheless.

Hemer Park blackberries in October;
I don't think they'll ripen (2012-10-22)

121022
AD AD

A First Postcard: Tiger Lily from Thetis Lake near Victoria

On so many occasions, on our way to Victoria, we've passed the exit to Thetis Lake. Earlier this year, instead of driving by, we decided to visit. On our walk around the lake we stumbled  upon a patch of woods with many Tiger Lilies.

Tiger Lily, Columbia Lily: Lilium columbianum (2013-05-14)

130514 AD AD AN AN