Friday, March 10, 2006

Snow on the Rhod.

Rhododendron that is.

My back yard was just starting to wake up. The rhodos were flowering. The forscythia is in full bloom, and the buds on the lilacs are starting to swell. I hope this untimely snow fall doesn't damage them.

I think this almost looks like a fancy dessert.

This lilac bud is shrouded in ice. I love the way the light comes though the ice crystals. You can even see the fuzz on the freshly unfurled, baby leaves.

I was thinking of starting a series called Macro Mondays but I am so excited about these I couldnt wait to share them.But I did get one shot that is amazing, and I will hold that one back until Monday.

Ive had a few comments over time, from various Bloggers, who are confused about the rarity of our snow, and the mild winter conditions. "You live in Canada, I thought it was a winter wonderland up there"? We are in an area of Canada that is very mild. In the South West corner of British Columbia, Canada. Just a few minutes North of the Canada-U.S. boarder. Less than three hours north of Seattle. Do you think of an arctic environment when you think of Seattle? We are less than an hour inland from the Pacific Ocean. Running along our coast, is Vancouver Island, which acts as a breaker for the worst of the winter storms coming in from the ocean. We are nestled at the foot of the Coastal Mountains. Just the other side of them is the South Okanagan, which is a desert. There is a town there called Osoyoos, which holds the record for hot spot of Canada, with summer temperatures getting as warm as Texas. The other side of that valley is the Rockies, which shelter us from most of the cold fronts coming out of the East and North. We rarely get below freezing. Though we do get a heck of a lot of rain. However, what rain we get down here, falls as snow in the local mountains. Our closest ski resort in North Vancouver is on Mount Seymour. They have a five meter base. Thats alot of snow, one of the best years ever. We are hoping for it to be as plentiful in 2010, when Vancouver will be hosting the Winter Olympics.One of the coolest things to see on our local slopes is the spring skiers, who can ski at mid day withoutjackets. Yes folks, come to Vancouver in April and ski in your short sleeves.

Thanks for joining us.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just got into the igloo and took off my parka and mukluks and thought I would surf the internet. It's fortunate that they could get that ADSL cable throught the block of ice......LOL! LOL!

We're very lucky that we have the best of everything here...ski in the morning, sail in the afternoon and then get in a game of golf.

Well I better get back on the tundra and bag a moose for dinner!

Anonymous said...

I use to think the same as others from down south about your climate until I came up here. Glad you got some of this mess. Awesome pictures. Well like Bobbie, I had better get out here and tunnel my way out of the house...lol. Have a good weekend.

poet said...

here in fredericton, it has just begun to feel like spring (last week), but we got a little "reminder" and got some snow, freezing rain, etc. lovely. we have not got grass around our new home yet, so it will be one muddy mess when spring finally does stay. thanks for educating the southern readers. have a good day!

Deanna said...

Hey, fresh in from snowshoeing... I thought I would give you, and your amazing pictures a hello. When I eventually get the dogs rigged up to the sleigh, I will come by and snap photos with you in the backyard of your igloo.

Anonymous said...

So nice Susan - the climate there is very different but in a great way aye! Nice pics too. You wouldn't like it here, our winters are long and sometimes brutally cold, but not this winter...

On a different note, my old website is gone [michigan blog]. Can you please update your link? The old one is just a blank white page! Have a fine weekend. :)

http://www.nativemichigander.net/

Jona said...

That sounds like a great location to be in, best of everything :o)

Dick said...

Southern Arizona got rain (and wind) yesterday & last night, the first since Oct 18th. It was badly needed. This morning in Tucson the sun is shining but it is cool and only expected to get to 58F or so, but they say tomorrow normal weather should return.

I start home next Sat & should get there by the following weekend, so please have it warm up & dry out. I've gotten pretty used to sunshine, no rain & temps in the 70s.

Adi said...

Long time lurker and just wanted to say I love your pictures. Seeing the daffodils really made me miss home and springtime. Up here in the north it is still snowing with no end in sight.

Anonymous said...

I live in the part of Canada that exemplifies the Great White North stereotype :-). Love your photos.. they give me hope spring.

Walker said...

THat's it i'm movin.
Anyone want to but 3 snowblowers and six shovels.

Yeah it look gorgeous when I was there in the fall and an early spring sounds perfect.

Monica said...

Susan, your descriptions are awesome...I'm discovering more and more the talented writer you really are. :)

Fred said...

I love the rhodies. We had them when we lived in Atlanta, and they were brilliant.

The only reminder of up north are uor azaleas. They're in full bloom now, and they're beautiful.

August95 said...

Your macros are beautiful. That snow was a surprise huh.

I like that everyone thinks it's freezing here all the time. Helps keep the beauty all for us lol.