Rambling Artists

The decorated trunk

2012-01-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

What do you do if there are no branches to decorate? You just decorate the tree of course!
Click on images to enlarge.

The Barbie Tree

2012-01-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

There's decorating a tree and then there's this:Click image to embiggen.
The Queen herself.
One of Barbie's friends who appears to suffer from a serious medical condition.
It's all too-too much.

Victoria is a Hollywood city

2011-12-11T18:31:00.001-08:00

Victoria has been home to many movie productions. In fact movie website http://www.imdb.com lists some 178 titles filmed here. Typically though, Victoria is standing in for a U.S. city and in the case of the 1990 movie "Bird on a Wire" that city is Racine Wisconsin.

Now, I get my hair cut in a small barber shop in Victoria's Chinatown. There, the barber proudly displays a VHS box of Bird on a Wire on his shop's counter. Why? Because there is an exciting motorcycle chase scene in the movie where the action takes place just outside his shop in Fan Tan Alley. Rick (Mel Gibson) and Marianne (Goldie Hawn) ride their stolen motorcycle through the Chinatown district of Racine Wisconsin

Here's that scene from the movie:
That's the Hollywood enhanced version of Fan Tan Alley. Here's what the alley way actually looks like as I follow the same basic route that Mel and Goldie took in the movie - beginning with the Gate of Harmonious Interest:
Interestingly, although Victoria is standing in for the Chinatown district of Racine Wisconsin - there actually is no Chinatown in that city.

The Annual Lighted Truck Parade and Food Drive

2011-12-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

Lighting up the streets, and the lives of those less fortunate with the Annual Lighted Truck Parade and Food Drive.

With blaring sirens and honking horns...here they come!

There they go. All done!

Keep Off!

2011-09-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

If you're taking the MV Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles you'll spend some time in the ferry line-up waiting to board the vessel. And if you're curious you might venture to the pier's edge to take in the view. But if you try, you'll encounter this dire "Keep Off" warning:And on closer examination you'll discover the individual who enforces the Keep Off command.A masked, apparently Mexican, wrastler! Well, after all, it is a ferry to the U.S..

It's back - Google's Street View camera car

2011-09-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

It's been less than two years since Google's Street View camera car rolled through Victoria and they're already updating their street views. I guess Google doesn't realize how slow the pace of development is in this city.

Mobile home

2011-08-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

Looking across the Juan De Fuca strait from a point near Sooke shows a very small tug pulling a very large......home!

Quimper Park - Harling Point

2011-08-12T18:35:00.001-07:00

Quimper Park in Harling Point, Oak Bay was named after Manuel Quimper Benítez del Pino (c. 1757 – April 1844) a Spanish/Peruvian explorer, cartographer, naval officer, and colonial official. The toys in the park are donated by the residents of this little community for all to enjoy.

Sharing

2011-07-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

On a quiet street, a raised wall garden...
...reveals an herb garden.
"These herbs are for snipping"

A backyard statement

2011-07-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

They're creepy and they're crawly

2011-07-10T13:50:00.001-07:00

Victoria has been invaded by Western tent caterpillars.Something we haven't seen in the six years that we've lived here.
They're mostly a nuisance as they cover walls and sidewalk as well as congregate in their tree tents. Although they do defoliate the trees they build their nests in - the trees do not die.
Hopefully the unusual winter we had this year that provided the conditions for the outbreak will not occur again next year.

Poles apart

2011-06-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

Telephone poles in the Victoria area are often painted by volunteers and children with decorative images as a way to discourage graffiti. These particular poles are located in Victoria's funky community of Fernwood.

For sail for sale

2011-05-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

It is said that puns are the lowest form of humour - but when it's time to sell your micro yacht, marketing must suffer some degree of "punishment."

Moving house

2011-02-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

At the junction of Richmond, Gonzales, and Despard Avenues sits a modest 1930s Art Deco home. But, at the beginning of February trucks and workers began to show up.At first we thought the house was going to be demolished to make way for a new home. Not so unusual in this part of Victoria. But when we saw the large iron beams being put into place it began to appear as if the home would be raised instead. Perhaps to build a high ceiling basement.Then a sign appeared in the window - this house was to be saved and moved to a new location - Point Roberts in the U.S.A.Last night, February 9th, the final preparations were made and the house began its journey to a storage facility in Swartz Bay where it will stay until the property in Point Roberts is ready to receive it.

Topping the steeple - Update

2010-11-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

After almost a year, the church of St. Jean Baptiste steeple (topic of the previous post) is finally getting its new cross.
The new copper cross begins its journey to the steeple top.
It's placed onto the new supporting structure.
Oooops! The cross is facing the wrong way!
Rotating it won't work due to the orientation of the hexagon base.
A review of the engineer's drawings shows that the orientation of the cross was not clearly specified.Ouch! The cross will not be erected today. A fix will certainly need to be worked out.

Update

A bit of overnight "tin-bashing" has re-oriented the cross relative to its base. Compare this image with the first one in this post to see what was done.
Problem solved. The new cross is finally in place and facing the right direction.

Topping the steeple

2010-10-31T23:51:00.000-07:00

At the corner of Lillian Road and Richmond Avenue sits the church of St. Jean Baptiste which caters to the growing community of Victoria's expat Quebecers.And topping its steeple is a rather unique piece of architectural adornment.The cross that originally topped the steeple had been blown down during a windstorm on Good Friday.

It's getting a bit chilly

2010-10-18T12:48:00.001-07:00

Now that we're getting close to winter the weather's getting a bit chilly. The folks at the Koffi Shop on Haultain Street have taken pity on the tree in front of their shop by dressing it up in fine winter woolies.

Vultures over Oak Bay

2010-10-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

While walking along Beach Avenue in Oak Bay...
we spotted a large flock of birds in the distance.
At first, because there were so many of them, we thought they were crows.
But as they flew closer it was obvious they were too large to be crows. Instead it began to look like a congregation of eagles.
But then, as they got closer still, it was apparent that these weren't eagles at all. These were Turkey Vultures.A very rare sight to see so many in one area. Within about five minutes they had all dispersed leaving just a clear blue sky.

Lighthouses

2010-09-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Victoria, being an island city, offers many opportunities for lighthouses.

Some, like the Fisgard lighthouse, provide guidance for ships passing in the Georgia Strait:Others simply offer guidance to passing ducks:While many only offer guidance to passersby:Or guidance as to the preferred brand:

The Victoria Classic Boat Festival

2010-09-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

Classic boats from all over the west coast and as far away as Hawaii come to Victoria's inner harbour each Labour Day weekend to be admired by the enthusiastic crowds.
You could even get your photo taken with a living statue of sharpshooter Annie Oakley.

Thar she blows!

2010-08-19T21:56:00.001-07:00

Depending on who you speak to this is either a rare, or common, occurrence - Grey whales in Ross Bay.Once spotted the call goes in to the local radio stations which broadcast the news that attracts a flotilla of whale watching tourist laden craft to the spot. You've got to be quick though. These whales break water for just a brief moment and reveal just a small part of their back as they blast a spray of foggy breath.
Click on image to embiggen.

Victoria is a government city

2010-08-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is a government city. Hence it is home to various government ministries. Ministries such as the:
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Casual LivingMinistry of Casual Living?

Actually, the Ministry of Casual Living is a window gallery mystery box located in the city's Fernwood neighbourhood. It is a volunteer and artist run group that has been in existence for eight years. They've displayed works by everyone from utter crazies to people you could safely give your last ten bucks to.
More information about the Ministry is available by clicking HERE

A chapel surrounded

2010-07-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

Gifted to the Royal Jubilee Hospital in 1909, the Pemberton Memorial Chapel has become completely surrounded by the hospital complex. In 1972 the City of Victoria designated the Chapel a heritage building and was carefully restored as a multi-faith sanctuary for patients, their families, staff members, and the community 24 hours a day.

St-Jean-Baptiste Day in Willows Beach Oak Bay

2010-06-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

Something we had not realized until we moved to Victoria was how strong the French Canadian presence is despite making up just 2% of BC's population. Today was St-Jean-Baptiste Day in Willows Beach Oak Bay. Every year, on the 24th of June, all Québécois get together with friends and family to celebrate their National Holiday; la Saint-Jean-Baptiste. It is a privileged moment to celebrate their identity, pride of what they were, are, and dream of becoming.

Beachcombing in Ross Bay

2010-06-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Ross Bay Cemetery's south side faces Ross Bay on the Pacific Ocean. When the tide is high, winter winds would blow waves into the cemetery causing severe erosion. In order to absorb the energy of the waves and reduce the damage they cause, the city dumped tones of pebbles on the beach just a few years ago. However, the relentless waves now push the pebbles ever higher on the beach towards Dallas Road posing a danger to passing traffic. As a result the city engineers have decided to comb the beach with an excavator to smooth out the pebbles and push them back towards the water line.The excavator is also used to move wayward logs to help form a barrier along the shingle beach.

Cause to pause - The Gulf oil disaster brought home

2010-06-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

The continually updated website at http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com/ enables you to center the impact of the current BP oil disaster anywhere on the globe. Particularly frightening when centered on your home town.

Goofy cars

2010-06-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

Victoria is the only city where we've seen these vehicles en masse. In fact, I don't think we've seen them in any other part of the country. The micro trucks are known as "Kei Trucks" and are imported from Japan. Some brands include Daihatsu Hi-jet, Honda Acty, Mazda Scrum, Mitsubishi Minicab, and Subaru Sambar.
Developed in the 1960s, they are all right-hand drive and feature 660cc water-cooled gasoline engines. Owners will very often go to great lengths to personalize their trucks with elaborate paint schemes.

The stone village

2010-05-28T14:36:00.001-07:00

On the corner of Quamichan St. and Foul Bay Rd., hidden under the branches of some mature fir trees, lies this little model of a sleepy village complete with castle, Grecian inspired temple and defensive tower.

The sign toppers of Clare Street

2010-05-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

They do add a whimsical touch to this very neighbourly street.

A skater wedding on our street

2010-05-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

They just liked our street.

Clearing the beach wood

2010-05-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

Gonzales Bay is home to Victoria's only sandy beach and as result is a very popular destination for young folks on their summer holiday break. In order to discourage beach fires, which can be dangerous, city staff, for the first time, are clearing the beach of small branches and logs that could be used to build a bonfire.

The naming of houses

2010-05-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

One delightful custom seen in some of the older and posher neighbourhoods is the tradition of naming the house. It seems that in the 1930s the most popular names were of Scottish origin and were proudly cut into the stonework at the entrance gate to the home - which in some cases is no longer there or replaced by a more humble dwelling."Locharkaig"
"Knockcool"
"Rappahannock"
"Ashton"
"Cavignol"
"Clenlyon"
"Gisburn"
"Illahie"
"Tancred"
"Gonzales"
"Tredinnock"
"Wilmar"

They're baaack!

2010-04-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

"Scooter People" on rental mini-motorbikes herald the official start of the tourist season in Victoria.

The stone ship

2010-04-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

In the northwest corner of the grounds of St. Ann's Academy rests a curious pile of stone and iron.
Click on images to enlarge.It takes a few minutes to realize that this is not a haphazard pile of rocks but is in fact a ship. A ship of stone.The ship (bark or barque, barchetta) has been a symbol of the Christian church since the first century. It represents the Church tossed on the sea of disbelief, worldliness, and persecution but finally reaching safe harbor with its cargo of human souls.Saint Anne, on whose Academy grounds this stone ship rests, is the patron Saint of among other places, Canada.

Traffic Watchers

2010-04-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

When the city engineers need to find out details about how traffic intersections are working - or not - they will send out cadres of folks with diabolical appearing gadgets to monitor traffic patterns.
At the push of a button, these Jamar Technologies devices can collect information such as turning movement data while classifying up to 14 groups of vehicles. Measure delay and queues at stop sign controlled intersections and do speed studies to find running speeds on signalized intersections.

Apparently very exciting information for city engineers to ponder while considering changes in intersection design.

In Ross Bay Cemetery

2010-04-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ross Bay Cemetery has become as much a garden park as a cemetery. It relies on the dedication of its caretakers and volunteers like The Old Cemeteries Society to conduct cleaning and restoration of graves on a regular basis.

Recently, The Old Cemeteries Society placed grave site markers in the extreme south east corner of the cemetery where there was an informal path cutting through an apparently unused portion of the cemetery. This was done as a reminder to people visiting the park that, although there may appear to be unused areas on the grounds, in fact the cemetery is quite full. So, where pathways have been created by the cemetery's many visitors, they often trace a course over unmarked grave sites.

According to the Society's President Wilf Bruch, it is hoped that eventually the grounds will be restored to that of a traditional gated cemetery rather than as it is now - an open park-like setting.

More information about Ross Bay Cemetery can be found by visiting its website: http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/

Google Street View Victoria now in 3D

2010-04-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

The 3D craze has hit Google Street View in Victoria!

Get your 3D glasses out for Google Maps! Google Maps has released a new 3D version of Street View. Of course you will need to have a pair of 3D glasses handy to appreciate this new Google Maps feature

Once you are in street view mode a new icon appears under the navigation graphic of a chap with 3D glasses pushed back on his forehead.
Click on the fellow and presto - his glasses drop in front of his eyes and the view is now in 3D!

Gonzales Bay residents awake to low tide shocker

2010-04-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

An exceptionally low tide early this morning revealed a city engineering secret - an experimental drain to flush sewage away from the city.
"It was the roar of water draining from our beloved bay that woke me this morning" said long time resident Miss. D. Ouse."I just don't know what to say. It was exciting. Would you like a cup of tea?" she offered.

On the other hand, Washington State visitor Mr. Mark Mighwurds noted: "Typical! Too much government interference in private affairs - and nothing is more private than a man's relationship with his bowel movements. Keep sewage in private hands I say."
By the time the news media arrived, the incoming tide had hidden the engineer's secret solution to Victoria's sewage problem.
"Well, I it took me a while to figure out what to wear to a draining" said local TV channel reporter Ms. T. Drinkaton."I wonder where it's draining to? Well, at least it's out of here."

Palm Sunday in Victoria

2010-03-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

Yes we do have palm trees in Victoria. The city enjoys a somewhat Mediterranean climate which suits these hardy "Windmill" palm trees very well.

The city has planted palms (typically Trachycarpus Wagnerianus) in various locations in Victoria in the belief that it is nice for tourists that, when they are taking pictures of Victoria, there is  some kind of exotic plant around. That way they could say: "I was in Victoria and look, it's so warm here  that they have palm trees."

But no everyone is happy about promoting the city that way. Many residents feel that it would be better if people  could appreciate and enjoy our own, wonderful, native species rather than try to bring other  peoples' backyards to our region.

A house of colours

2010-03-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

If you can't decide on what colour to paint your house...well, maybe it's best to just ask a young child how it should be painted!

In Uplands Park

2010-03-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

A fire hydrant's sense of humour is not always subtle.

Blooming Victoria BC

2010-03-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

Victoria has always been quite smug about having the best weather in Canada. However this year, Nature has outdone itself. Record-breaking weather conditions in early 2010 have produced a record for the 34th Annual Victoria Flower Count.
According to flower count spokesperson Graham Bell, there were 21,691,666,716 blooms counted in Greater Victoria between Feb. 25 and March 4. That number smashes the old record of 8.5 billion blooms set in 2002. It also means that there are enough flowers to give every man, woman, and child in Canada a bouquet of 650 flowers.
The annual flower count is seen as a fun way to promote tourism in this "City of Gardens."

The tipping point

2010-03-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

No, this is not a special effects photo:
What's happened is that the ground gave way under a truck that was pumping concrete into the foundations of a new bay-side house.

The Cavalry is called in the form of two heavy-lift crane trucks from L.B.Crane Rentals.At about $250 an hour each this problem is going to be very expensive to fix. The crane cables are attachedand ever so gently the truck is brought back to an upright position.
Finally the truck folds up its extensions and prepares to leave the scene.

The Divine Lady

2010-03-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

Spring has been in full bloom for the past three weeks here in Victoria as beautifully evidenced by the pink and green palette of the house known famously as "The Divine Lady."

I'll meet you half way

2010-02-23T20:51:00.000-08:00

If, while walking south on Monterey Ave. towards McNeill Bay, you're very observant, you may notice an interesting feature on one of the telephone poles on the street's east side:On closer examination you'll see that it informs you that you have reached the "Half Way" point:As you continue south you'll encounter another announcement - that you've reached the three-quarter point:While we're not sure to where, at least there appears to be some progress on the journey. Continuing south, at last, is the final sign:An enigmatic mathematical formula.

There are no signs before the "Half Way" sign. The ending mathematical formula remains a mystery. But the journey is clear:

A celebration along Dallas Road

2010-02-13T21:55:00.001-08:00

Just across the road from the shingled beach along Dallas Road stands what appears at first to be just a pile of stones and concrete slabs.A closer view reveals it to be a small monument that celebrates many of the things that make living here so special.This is the handiwork of Ivan, who was so impressed by the signage he saw during a trip to Leavenworth, a Bavarian getaway in the heart of Washington State, that he decided to learn how to etch his own celebratory graphics in stone.
After two years of work he's already created 11 stone pieces. But realizes there's still room for more on his monument along Dallas Road.

Dog of the Day

2010-02-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

It was a chilly 8°C (46°F) on Cook Street, but this little guy was prepared with his stylish wrap:

Mind the trees

2010-02-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

Trees, and their preservation, are a matter of great concern to Victoria residents. As a result, it's not unusual to see sidewalks snaking their way around, rather than cutting a straight line through, the trees that stand beside our roads .Arborphiles share their passion by spotlighting their favourite city trees, contributing information, questions, and photos on the Tree Watch Victoria blog HERE.

At rest in the Place of the Cradles

2010-01-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

The establishment of Fort Victoria in 1843 may have marked European settlement on this southern tip of Vancouver Island but Aboriginals have inhabited this area for thousands of years. South-eastern Vancouver Island, where the capital city of Victoria is located, was the home of the Northern Straits Salish peoples and in what is now the greater Victoria area were 12 interlinked Songhee villages.

From time to time, during road works or housing development, an aboriginal grave may be unearthed. Once evidence of an ancient burial site is found, all work is immediately stopped and First Nations community representatives are called in.

In this case, on August 27, 2009, the excavation of a sewer trench along Dallas Road disturbed the remains of a young First Nations woman, “SLENI”, originally buried over 300 years ago. Following consultations with archeologists and First Nations Elders, a determination was reached to hold a reburial service close to the site of the discovery and a marker was placed to identify the spot.

SLENI's marker was placed along Dallas Road beside another one identifying the location of the unearthing in 1995 of the remains of another First Nations individual "HIWET."

The location of this site, now called "Camel Point," was originally called "Lekwammen" which means “the place of the Cradles.”

Snowdrops are in full bloom!

2010-01-26T18:57:00.001-08:00

While much of Canada is in full winter, here in Victoria the snowdrops are in full bloom. We've also seen Rhododendrons in bloom but since we don't like Rhodos we chose to ignore them.

The house of stories

2010-01-17T20:49:00.000-08:00

Some houses just have many stories to tell - like this one at 937 Caledonia Street.The first thing you notice as you approach it from the west is this wonderful bottle-based public rest chair.Then as you continue to walk past the house you see this structure:A pyramid of twigs and branches resembling a medieval shrine:Which on closer examination reveals itself to be a crèche dedicated to Sponge Bob Square Pants:

Free-range chicken - in the city

2010-01-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

Walking up Cook Street from Dallas Road I noticed a dark form moving in the driveway of this heritage building...Yes, a free-range chicken giving me a wary "evil" eye.
Quite surprising to see it walking about so freely because there are still a number of eagles and hawks living in the city that would likely enjoy this fellow for a dinner meal.
Other city chickens that we've seen in the city are more cooped up like the ones in this earlier post HERE

Shingle Beach

2010-01-10T12:55:00.001-08:00

The logging industry is a major part of Vancouver Island's economy. Logs that are floated down rivers and estuaries sometimes break free and end up on the shores around Victoria.The mature Western Cedar's soft red-brown timber is valued for its distinct appearance, aroma, and its high natural resistance to decay. It is extensively used for outdoor construction in the form of posts, decking, shingles and siding.Patrick is taking advantage of these wayward logs to shingle the roof of his house.He first uses a small chainsaw to cut the logs down to shingle size and then creates each shingle using a froe to cleave the wood by splitting it along the grain. He has so far cut 8,000 of the 10,000 shingles he needs.

A pole becomes a Totem

2010-01-05T10:09:00.001-08:00

Over the holidays someone feathered this telephone pole turning into a strange Totem Pole.

The Mighty Coho turns the big Five-Oh!

2009-12-29T17:30:00.000-08:00

Living on an island one becomes quite enamored of the ferries that link us to the mainland. The M.V. Coho, filled with 1950s character, not only provides a link between Victoria B.C. and Port Angeles, Washington but also provides a link to the past.The Coho was built in Seattle at a cost of $3 million - privately financed by Black Ball Transport.Since 1959, the Coho has transported 21 million passengers and five million vehicles over the 22.59 nautical miles between Victoria's inner harbour and downtown Port Angeles.A 2006 study showed the Coho, which can accommodate 1,000 passengers and 120 vehicles on any one sailing, ferried more than 205,000 return passengers and brought $123.7 million into the Victoria economy.And as a a deckhand explained to us before boarding on a very stormy day, "Oh, yes we're sailing. There's no seas rough enough or waves high enough to stop this ship."

Happy Holidays from parking enforcement

2009-12-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

Oh, no – what's that ticket under my windshield wiper?
It's not a ticket at all, but some interesting poetry and holiday wishes from Victoria's parking enforcement - considered one of the quickest to ticket in the world. Click on image to enlarge.

Niagara Falls, Goldstream Provincial Park B.C.

2009-12-14T21:35:00.001-08:00

Yes Niagara Falls is its proper name and is not to be confused with that little trickle of water somewhere back east. If you are traveling north on Highway 1 you need to stop at Goldstream Park then walk north towards the interpretation centre from the parking lot. The access to Niagara Falls will be along the path and through a tunnel under Highway 1 - assuming that the water level is low enough. When we went there, quite a bit of ice had accumulated around the base of the falls.

Tuba Christmas

2009-12-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

Tuba Christmas is an international event that began with a concert in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. In Victoria, this annual event brought together over 50 tuba players from across BC and the Pacific Northwest to play traditional Christmas music at the old Market Square downtown.

Google Street View Victoria is online!

2009-12-02T22:47:00.000-08:00

Finally, Google street view Victoria is online (http://maps.google.com/)! Google appears to have done some retouching though since most of the views appear as if the weather was sunny.

Salmon run at Goldstream Park nearly over

2009-11-29T10:15:00.001-08:00

It's a bit gruesome to witness. The salmon run at Goldstream Park is nearly over. Hundreds of salmon carcasses scattered along the river's edge will now provide food for seagulls, wolves, raccoons, and eagles. And after they've been dragged into the woods to be eaten their remains will provide nitrogen to fertilize the soil.

The Garage Sale-A Lesson Learned

2009-11-22T21:43:00.001-08:00

After weeks of purging, from attic to basement, I recently held a garage sale. Once the sale was over it was time to count the proceeds. While emptying my pockets of collected coins and bills, I discovered half a ten dollar bill. My initial reaction was to search for the other half thinking that it had probably been folded so often that it had weakened and fallen apart. I searched but didn't find the other half. It took me a while to realize what had actually happened. Someone had given me that half bill in payment. I am glad that deceit was not my first assumption. I am trusting and want to stay that way, but everything that happens has an effect and I have been trying to understand what this has taught me. I found a helpful quote.

Master Kan speaking to Grasshopper in the Kung Fu TV series:
Those who deny evil in man remain weak and defenseless.
Deal with evil through strength - but affirm the good in man through trust.
In this way, we prepare for Evil, but we encourage Good.

So I will continue to be trusting and I suppose somewhat naive, but when given a folded bill in the future, I trust I will always unfold it.
Susan

Memorial wreaths in Uplands Park

2009-11-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

In remembrance - the poppy house

2009-11-10T17:04:00.000-08:00

Salmon run at Goldstream Park

2009-11-09T13:27:00.001-08:00

This year we finally arrived at Goldstream Park in time to see the salmon run that we missed last year (HERE).

The chum salmon are almost impossible to see (or photograph) since their colouring is so similar to the river's gravel bottom.

This short video makes them a bit easier to spot:

Click arrow to play video
In the end, after spawning, they will end up as food for seagulls, bear, and raccoons.

Once whatever's left starts to rot, the eagles pick up the scent and will swoop in for the leftovers.

When you've got something to say...

2009-11-04T22:01:00.000-08:00

...it might be a good idea to write it out and edit before publishing otherwise, as in this case, the message may get lost.

Mimicking nature

2009-10-18T22:06:00.000-07:00

This fellow set out in Ross Bay to place his crab trap. Balancing on his board somewhat like the heron balancing on seaweed while hunting for its dinner of small crabs.

Robinson Crusoe lands at Harling Point

2009-10-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not Robinson himself - perhaps his man Friday? In any case, a fine looking raft with comfortable seat is tied up on the rocks at Harling Point.

A consideration - the private public park

2009-10-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

At 177 Oliver St, a vacant private property has been transformed by its owner into a lovely public park replete with a rustic seating area.

And the band played on - Sydney, BC

2009-08-31T17:57:00.001-07:00

The Naden Navy Band from CFB Esquimalt played to a packed park this past Sunday.

Not gonna fade away

2009-08-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

Once there were likely metal house numbers on this wooden telephone pole. Over time, they protected the wood behind them as the weather eroded the pole and as they rusted away. Now, their legacy remains as the house number "805" standing proud from the background.

Advice for Zucchini

2009-08-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

"Help Yourself Zucchini" suggests the enigmatic sign.
On the other hand, it may simply be a free zucchini for passersby from an over productive vegetable garden.

Ephemeral art at Harling Point, Oak Bay, BC

2009-08-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

An Andy Goldsworthy-like creation has appeared on the rocks at Harling Point. Perhaps the same artist was also responsible for the construction posted earlier HERE

Hanging out in Ross Bay, Victoria, BC

2009-08-16T18:20:00.001-07:00

A temporary contraption attached to a piece of driftwood provides hang time for this windblown adventurer.

Courtesy Bench

2009-08-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

At the steepest part of Johnson Street at the corner of Camosun is the "Chez Beau Soleil" where bicyclists can take a moment to rest beside the memorial of Marcel the cat and enjoy a copy of the "Village Vibe" before resuming their peddling.

Dog of the Day

2009-08-04T22:23:00.001-07:00

Meka cools her paws during this very unusual heat wave by riding a surfboard on Beaver Lake.

Scooterpeople

2009-07-31T09:03:00.001-07:00

We can always tell when tourist season is in full swing because suddenly there is an influx of what we refer to as "scooterpeople." Traveling in packs like a strange version of motorcycle gangs, these are folks who rent a scooter from one of the many rental companies to simply go sightseeing at maximum 40 kmph throttle.

Annual Victoria MG Club car show

2009-07-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

The event was held this past Sunday at Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay with some 40 beautiful examples of British automotive engineering.

First Annual Oak Bay Night Market

2009-07-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

More like a sidewalk sale, the First Annual Oak Bay Night Market attracted merchants and artists alike. Of course, given the average age of Oak Bay residents, it's not surprising that it started at 4 pm and ended at 8 pm.

Moss Street Art Walk

2009-07-20T18:50:00.001-07:00

The incredibly popular annual Moss St. Art Walk was held this past Saturday, July 18th on the eight or so blocks from Dallas Road to Rockland Ave.
This year many of the artists demonstrated their painting techniques to the appreciative crowds:
Not only were the visual arts on show but also the talents of local musicians:
And at the end of the day, art that had not sold was spirited away in the artist's trunk:

Considerations

2009-07-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Midway along Clare St. in Oak Bay, a bibliophile has created self serve library box where books and CDs can be freely exchanged:

Young talent

2009-07-08T12:09:00.001-07:00

Some great sidewalk chalk work - sadly washed away in the rain.

Dog of the Day

2009-07-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's a hot Canada Day holiday, and this fellow is enjoying cooling his paws which allows him to remain frozen in absolute concentration on a tennis ball that someone, hopefully, will toss into the waters of Gonzales Bay.

Persistent Holly Tree

2009-06-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

The diameter of this holly tree's trunk shows just how large it was before receiving its "trim."

Threatened Garry Oak tree - Chadwick Estates, Oak Bay, BC

2009-06-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

At 1972 Fairfield Road on the leafy residential borderland where Victoria meets Oak Bay, a heritage garden has been ripped apart by diggers and earth movers in preparation for the building of five houses in "Chadwick Estates." In the very back corner of the original garden, well out of sight of the road and the public, stands a uniquely beautiful mature moss-adorned Garry Oak with spiralling branches and an amazing hole passing right through one of its stately limbs. The oak stands with an ominous disfiguring red X on its trunk, a sign that marks it as a prospective victim of the chainsaw.

Convenience or convenient dump

2009-06-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

Sadly, whoever dumped this example of 70s furniture design at Harling Point was apparently not aware of the graffiti in Gonzales Bay that admonished us to: "Don't destroy what you've come to enjoy."

Still fowl - an update to the January 23, 2009 post

2009-06-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

It appears that enough folks were concerned about the caged Mallard ducks in our original post HERE that the owners put up a sign to explain the situation:
Most breeds of domestic ducks were bred from the Mallard. In this case, the key to recognizing that it is a domestic rather than wild Mallard is the amount of white feathers it has:
People seem to love to breed white or partially white domestic animals, presumably because such mutations don’t do well in the wild and consequently are rare.

Considerations

2009-06-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

With so many ducklings about, it was very considerate to place this road sign at a popular duck crossing as a reminder to drivers.
Even local residents get in on the duckling warning signs:

Government House Ducklings

2009-06-13T08:35:00.001-07:00

The ducklings at Government House pond are always a welcome sight each spring. This well-fed and contented family were nestled on rocks warmed by the June sun. They must have thought that their left profile was the most photogenic.

Art celebrating art

2009-06-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Island has one of the largest concentrations of people who indicate on their income tax forms that they are artists - hopefully not because they're rationalizing being in a very low tax bracket.
Edith Looker, member of the Plein Air Painters of Victoria BC, captures a driftwood art installation on the beach at Ross Bay.

Google Street View Camera Car spotted in Victoria

2009-06-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

I had a feeling that they might be around our town, however it was still a lucky and happy surprise to actually see a Google street view camera car driving up our street. I guess this finally puts us on the map!

The Wildlife Trees

2009-06-01T21:43:00.001-07:00

Wandering around the many trails and public footpaths in the greater Victoria BC area, means that it's likely you'll come across a "Wildlife Tree."The one on the left is on the grounds of Government House, while the one on the right is in Mt. Douglas Park.
They are actually the remains of trees that have died but are still standing and provide a wonderful natural habitat for the forest's denizens. The warning sign reads: "Wildlife Tree: Saved for food shelter and nesting – do not cut or disturb!"
Formed in 1985, the Wildlife Tree Committee (WTC) is a multi-agency committee composed of representatives from the provincial Ministry of Forests and Range, and Ministry of Environment, the B.C. Workers’ Compensation Board, industry and labour, and public interest groups from across British Columbia.

Harling Point Sculpture

2009-05-29T08:36:00.001-07:00

We were delighted to discover this beautiful arrangement of natural objects at Harling Point recently. Carefully constructed of driftwood and rocks it will eventually be effected by tides, winds and winter storms but for now it is there for all to enjoy.

Moss Street Saturday Market Opens!

2009-05-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Forget the official start of Summer – for the folks in our neighbourhood Summer begins when the Moss Street Saturday Market returns.
In the center of the Market a band gets rockin'.
There's plenty of food that makes you want to eat – even when you're not hungry.The produce selection is still a bit thin compared to the choices available in the Fall.But really, where else would you find a blue monkey with a lavender belly button?

Fire

2009-05-22T11:06:00.001-07:00

The media capturing the news at the back of 1409 Camosun St. in Victoria
Even a small fire can cause a great deal of damage. Fortunately this one was put out very quickly

Fire investigator getting the victim's story
Media interview

Dog of the Day

2009-05-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

We would like to include a very special Dog of the Day.
Her name was Leica, a standard schnauzer, and she was our funny and feisty rambling companion for thirteen years. After moving to Victoria, and despite old age and declining health, she enjoyed three more months happily exploring our new neighbourhood. She was always eager to accompany us on our daily walks particularly if we included a visit to the beach to fetch sticks or simply stand in the shallow water to cool her paws.
Our Leica's spirit continues to walk along beside us wherever we go.

A Tribute in the Cathedral

2009-04-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

While the Christ Church Cathedral was under construction in the 1920s, a determined little bird decided to build her nest near the capital of the southeastern pillar of the Nave. Building operations at that point were suspended until her family had been successfully launched into the world.
"Robin Pillar" is fourth from the left at the center of this photo:
As a tribute to her determination, a stone model of the bird and nest marks the spot atop the capital near the top of the pillar:

Dog of the day

2009-04-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

"Saxon" is quite mature enough to take himself for a walk in the park along Dallas Road.

A smile for the Universe

2009-04-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

The Climenhaga Observatory Ash Dome at the University of Victoria sports a 0.5-m F/10.5 Cassegrain telescope...and a smiley face.

Campus Lepus

2009-04-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

To some, the fluffy creatures are the unofficial mascot of the University of Victoria.
Most of the feral rabbits at UVic are descended from European rabbits and are unwanted pets or descendants of unspayed or unneutered pets abandoned on campus by members of the community. An informal official count put the number of rabbits at over 250, however, many estimates put the figure at closer to 1,000 hoppers.
To learn more, visit HERE.

Hopscotch on steroids

2009-04-08T19:34:00.001-07:00

Possibly a Guinness world record for longest hopscotch course - spotted on Hampshire Road, Oak Bay, BC (click on pic to enlarge).