Like A Mill Pond

I don't know why - and there's probably a rational explanation - but whenever we have

fog, the waters of Malaspina Strait are virtually ripple-less, or as the saying goes,

"it's like a mill pond out there".  As demonstrated by this shot of the dolphin

off the Westview Wharf, in the recent pea-soup.

On The Seawalk 2

While taking yesterday's photos I noted that this bench, which has been MIA for some time, has been redone

and put back in place. It's the only bench on the length of the Seawalk with any character, the rest

are the usual slatted style, and is meant to represent Sliammon First Nation's part in the local area

and in the building of the Seawalk.  I particularly like the centre whorl, but then I have a

failing for Coast Salish design.

You can see it in context in Photo 2 of yesterday's post, on the right.

On The Seawalk

On the Seawalk on a foggy morning. Foggy mornings are far from unusual this time of year,

though that certainly isn't stopping many people from enjoying their walk.

Fog At The Hulks

Fog enveloping the "hulks" that form the harbour breakwater at the Catalyst Mill.

Lip-Licking Good

Accessing the archives, from a series taken in Fall 2012. No catch-and-release here.

Canoe Carving II

The Hɛhɛwšɩn (the way forward) Reconciliation Canoe Carving project continues at Willingdon

Beach.  Both canoes, this large one and another smaller one, are being worked on

daily. Saturday the large one will be steamed, to widen it 4 to 6 inches, which

should be interesting to see. Above foreground is carver Sherman Pallen,

below, carver Ivan Rosypskye.

At Pebble Beach Farm

From the archives : 23 October, 2011

Looking towards Pebble Beach Farm from the water side.

Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous les deux ensemble
Toi que m'aimais moi qui t'aimais

Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable

Les pas des amants désunis

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the inimitable voice of Edith Piaf, enough to make a man maudlin.
Or is it just the season.

Black Oystercatcher, Once More

As noted more than once before, these are my favourite shorebird, and while a few issues have kept

me away from my camera and blogging, I did manage to catch this Oystercatcher catching

its breakfast one day late last week.

They may not eat oysters, but they certainly have a taste for any mussel they can find along shore. I

watched this bird for about 20 minutes, watched it find and eat 3 of these clams.

The Polar Prince

The Polar Prince arrived yesterday afternoon, as forewarned in the Powell River Peak. I'm reasonably sure

a lot of people will make the same mistake I did, but this is not a Coast Guard boat. She used to be though,

and till 1986 she was the CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert. The government retired her, and then sold her to a

private concern in 2001. In any case, it isn't often we see an ice breaker in our local waters. Thankfully not

required. For reference, that's our local CCGS Cape Caution tied up alongside, and she's 47 feet long,

so the Polar Prince is a fair size. She left at 11pm, on her way to Nanoose Bay.

Ceramics - III

The two previous posts in this series have been of functional ware, made for everyday use. These pieces by

Gordon Hutchens of Denman Island are decorative ware, or art pottery. They are of crystal-glazed

porcelain, meaning they were fired at high temperatures. Not large, the vase on the left is 7" tall.

Hutchens is very well known, both as potter and teacher, and is currently in charge of the

extensive ceramics program at North Island College in Courtenay, BC.

And if one doesn't recognize a

Hutchens vase by looks, they all carry his signature on the bottom.

Saturday's Market

Saturday was the end of yet another season for the outdoor Farmer's Market and we'll

mark it with a splash of floral colour, photos taken at Marisa Mastrodonato's

flower bouquet market booth, on the day.

In The News

In recent news there was an article that said yesterday was the last day of business for the Landmark Hotel on

Vancouver's Robson St. The hotel has been a Vancouver icon for 44 years, but it's coming down to make way for 2 

condo towers. These are archive photos, from my last stay, almost 6 years ago to the day, and while

they weren't taken from the top - 42 stories - if I remember correctly this is the view

down and across Robson St from the 12th floor as the sun set on the city.

I definitely won't be able to afford one of those new condos when built, but then I haven't been able to
afford recent rates at the Landmark either.