Winter Walk in Goldstream Park

There comes a point when you think you just have to get outside.  We had a break in the weather, just a slight drizzle of rain but otherwise a great day to go out for a walk.  Goldstream Park isn't very far away but it makes you feel like you have left the city behind.  Of course everything is green, we live in a rain forest after all.  There were so many birds out flying around, making lots of noise.  They seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as we were.  It is amazing how peaceful and relaxed you feel as soon as you go for a walk.  Funny thing is there was a sign that told us to be quiet, hmmm I could use a sign like that at my house.

Quietly we continued on our walk, enjoying the different colors of leaves and the stream running past us.

It is moments like these that I wished I could paint or at least sketch.  I can take a pretty good picture but oh how amazing it would be to draw that scene.  Perhaps in my next life I will be an artist!  I digress, so on we continued, until we came upon the visitors centre.  By this time it was getting chilly, so we had to stop in for a hot cocoa.  Not only was the coca delicious but we also found the centre was very informative about the spawning salmon and subsequent eagle salmon feast.  Hundreds of bald eagles come to eat the salmon once they have spawned in the stream.  

Now that we are completely relaxed it is time to head home.  Back to the real world, laundry and getting ready for another work week.  Good night Sunday!

Summer Garden

This is how it started in the spring with a lot of hard work and a few good plant sales.  It was easy to transform this space.

Now transformed and summer ready, we are able to sit back and enjoy the view.  The bird baths are full and the song birds are in and out of the yard all day.  The old window frame was cleaned up and mirrors added to brighten up a dark corner but it also gives me a different view of the yard when I am sitting on the bench.

Finnerty Gardens in UVIC

We went for a walk through Finnerty Gardens at UVIC university.  I was in awe of the beautiful gardens and paths.  Though some of the plants did not survive the cold spell we had last year.  The rhodo plants were still amazing and the different varieties made me realize just how very little I know about this great plant. 

As you can see the leaves are bigger than a hand and the actual bush itself was bigger than my old garden shed.  Since I've only got about 1/3 of an acre I don't think this type of rhodo would go in my yard, but I enjoy that it is only a 5 minute drive away.  Finnerty Gardens is a beautiful place to wander around or bring a book (when it is warm again).  If you drive to it then the only cost will be the parking meters in the parking lot.  I bring my camera with me everywhere now as you just never know when you will spot that plant that is beautiful but you have no idea what it is.  Much easier to identify a picture than a small piece of leaf.

Itching to get Digging

I know it is only February but my gum boots are dry and my gardening gloves appeared at the back door as if they were beckoning me to get outside.  We did have one glorious sunny 55 degree day and I was out there digging and moving rocks until dusk.  I think I really needed the Vitamin D.  I am moving one of the flower beds to make room for a new garden shed which we will start building in March.  This is the bed I was working on.  Plants and rocks were moved and the new tool shed will go up against the fence.  Of course I will have to have some pretty little stained glass windows in it.

This little Anna's Hummingbird was watching me the whole time I was outside.  Every time another hummingbird came by he chased it away.  He even looks a little grumpy in this picture!