Blue Heron Sanctuary

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", or so it is said. At the Blue Heron Sanctuary near Chilliwack, the birds weren't even in the bushes. With winter retreating slowly, they were likely hesitant to show themselves. No matter. The area was lush and tranquil; the wetlands soon to burst into birdsong. Water was everywhere, which is always a joy to photograph. 

Bridge

Awakening Forest

Spring Pond

Woods and Water
Copyright 2017, Kathy Neudorf

Myra Canyon

In early fall I achieved a life long ambition - to cycle the Kettle Valley Railway. Although I would love to bike the entire route, Myra Canyon, near Kelowna was a great start. Spectacular vistas were at every turn, and it was inspiring to cycle the path of the ancient trains. The historic trestles were destroyed by fire in 2003, but have been rebuilt. Relics of that fire remained; charred tree trunks pierced the lush regrowth, while the autumn color added flames of its own. 

Fire in the Valley

Burning Bush

Turning Leaf

Rain Shadow

Rebirth

Shadow and Light

Trestle

Two for the Rail Bed

Canyon
Copyright 2017, Kathy Neudorf

The Wonders of Oregon - Covered Bridges

We stopped at a few of Oregon's many covered bridges. These historic sites are sometimes tucked away in unexpected places, and it's always a delight to see one suddenly appear. Often they have been moved from their original locations, lovingly restored and maintained by local communities. Each one is unique and very special: a reminder of an era gone but not forgotten. 

Rock o' the Range Bridge, near Bend

Goodpasture Bridge, near Vida, over the McKenzie River

Cavitt Creek Bridge, near Glide, over the Little River

Rochester Bridge, near Sutherland, over Calapooya Creek

Calapooya Creek in the Rain, from Rochester Bridge

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

A Walk In The Park

Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver is well worth a visit. It's my old stomping grounds - in the past I spent countless hours walking its trails and savoring the fresh perfumes of wood and water. It was wonderful to revisit the old pathways a few weeks back - the river was running high, and the foliage was lush and green. 

Foot Path

Full Flood

Summer Greens

Upstream

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Joy of Low Tech

Last weekend I visited Vancouver Island. I left my camera at home. This was deliberate - I didn't want to be weighed down with gear as well as luggage. Predictably, some of our destinations proved to be photographically irresistible, so I grabbed the tool at hand: my Samsung S3 Smartphone. Here are 2 shots from the Horticultural Center of the Pacific, and one from the spectacular Orveas Bay Resort, near Sooke. 

Japanese Garden, HCP

Fire In The Sky, HCP

Bench In Flowers, Orveas Bay
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Colony Farm

I recently had a late day outing to Colony Farm Regional Park in Port Coquitlam. I have lived here for decades, yet have never heard of it, much less visited. It was peaceful, green and bisected by the lazy Coquitlam River. We explored the Community Garden, which was bursting with summer's bounty and glowing in the evening light. Such a pretty place....

Echinacea

Tableau

Evening in the Grove

Sweet Peas

Under the Bridge
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Bramhall

One of our childhood homes was in Bramhall, Cheshire. It was great fun to return to our former house on King's Close - its current owners were kind enough to invite us to lunch. They also took us to Bramhall Park, a tranquil green space with meandering streams and picturesque ponds, forests and trails. The Park is home to Bramhall Hall, a stately 14th century Tudor manor house. It now serves as a museum, but was closed for renovations during our visit. Maybe next time.....

Ladybrook

Gate House

Pond

Bramhall Falls

Rope Swing I

Bramhall Hall
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Stockport

More from the trip to the UK - our stop in Stockport included a visit to the Market, a favorite childhood destination. It's a fascinating place, offering up an eclectic mix of merchandise from buttons to cakes to underwear to wonderful English cardis. Overlooking the Market is  magnificent St. Mary's Church, a Gothic masterpiece that opened in 1817. I was lucky enough to see a bell ringer in action - amazing!

St. Mary's Window

Marketplace

Station Approach

Road to the Market

Call to Worship
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Mysterious Forest

Meanwhile, back at Linda's lovely property in Surrey, Winter is in full force. While we don't have snow, the trees are bare and inscrutable, and the ground is littered with storm tossed leaves and branches. Bear Creek, the dreamy, meandering stream of summer, has become a turbulent torrent. Take a look. 

Branches

River in the Rain

Echoes of Fall

Rockin' Chair

Wild Waters

The Hollow
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Night Magic

Christmas lights are magical, aren't they? I love the big, glittering displays, and tonight photographed a neighborhood attraction. Instead of more traditional shots I moved the camera with a slow shutter. Out came these fun abstracts! There is something exhilarating about creating effects in camera. Editing is minimal - they either work or they don't. I'm enjoying this!

Angel Wings

Fire Storm

Light Waves

Snowman And Friends

Splash

Splash I

Star, With Angels
Copyright 2015, Kathy Neudorf