Caution: Herons at Work!

Posted on May 11, 2013 by iShorr

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, BC, has hosted horse races in the 1860s, cricket matches since 1866, and love-ins in the 1960s.

This April brought another love-in, and a Blue Heron sky over the park.

It was heron mating time again…and, as we know…time flies.

The herons build their nests high up in Beacon’s trees.

The male heron settles near an old, restorable nest (nest building as home renovation).

He then puts on a show…to attract a mate.

It’s a new partner each year, and if you’ve a heron over two years old…a quick hook-up.

A match made…in a tree.

After mating, the female heron will nestle…seeking solitude.

For most females, April will bring three to five eggs.

Nest construction continues through the nesting period, as the male heron hunts for materials from nearby trees.

Air traffic is heavy for these twig-seeking herons.

The nimble landings are impressive.

The search will last into the evening…

…until the twig is at hand (or mouth).

Then it’s back to the nest.

The male heron passes the branch off to his mate.

Once the nest is built, incubation lasts about 28 days.

And then…it will be the young heron’s time.

Andre the Pirate

Posted on May 1, 2013 by iShorr

My grandson Andre is well grounded in Jake the Pirate, Captain Cook and Peter Pan. So the idea of a Pirate Cruise sent him into a full, fantasy frenzy.

As someone who has done a lot of theater, I admired the kid’s ability to commit to his role.

As soon as he was outfitted in Pirate garb, Andre challenged a taller, bigger-sworded shipmate.

And once on board, looked right at home.

Seeking danger on the not-so-high seas…

…and finding it!

There was also a wench to stand up (or down) to…!

…treasure to dispence…

…and giggles to gather.

It’s a pirates life for him!

To Spite the Face

Posted on April 26, 2013 by iShorr

The slow-motion train wreck that is the US Congress, is about to speed up, and even take to the air.

It’s “sequester spring” after the Republican’s refusal to raise taxes on America’s most wealthy, brought billions of dollars in indescriminate cuts to federal programs.

The unkindest cuts of all, mean that 140,000 low-income families won’t get housing help, and 70,000 poor children will be denied pre-school.

But the cuts that worry Republicans most, are those that might provoke the general public, like those now causing flight delays at US airports.

What happens when air traffic controllers are furloughed and communication towers shut down?

It might look like what I witnessed during a recent walk in the park.

Close calls in the air, and stasis on the ground.

What a nation reaps when it sows neglect… is the call of the wild…

…and chaos.

Slashing social spending in the face of dire need, is no walk in the park.

It’s like cutting off the nose…to spite the face.

Time to sound the alarm: ”austerity” sucks.

Found Art

Posted on April 13, 2013 by iShorr

Walking the islands of British Columbia, you often come upon found art. Art left behind.

On a bench across from Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, this frozen, popsicle person was melting in the sun.

Bird lovers build birdhouses,

like this tree house, on the water, in Port Renfrew…

…and this bungalow in a backyard jungle in Victoria.

On a coastel trail on Galiano Island you’re delighted to come upon this gracious gift from a local artist…a wood deer, nibbling.

There’s also art in nature, created by nature.

In the sandstone formations along Galiano’s coast, I saw this monk walking, head down, holy book in hand.

Along the harbor in Victoria is a work of art with great intent.

The multi-colored, beached, boat sculpture, bears the name of its creator: Rich Rico, who crafted his own coastal fantasy.

And if you happen to find Rico on-board, he will tout his other creation, a coin counter nonpareil.

There’s art to be found in more traditional construction, as reflected in these houses in Fulford Harbor, on Saltspring Island.

At first glance the house below…earned another glance. What exactly was the scale here?

Perhaps a Hobbit house.

Save time for this tree stump in Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park.

At the intersection of art and commerce, there’s the Morningside Cafe on Saltspring Island.

Where you enter a little jewel of wood, stone, and light.

There’s art to be found on the buildings of Victoria’s historic downtown…

…on the sidewalks…

…and in shop windows.

But shopping can be exhausting.

So best retreat to the beach where, once again, art just drifts ashore.

In the eye of the beholder…

(See also: Driftwood Diary)

Nature’s Urge to Merge

Posted on March 30, 2013 by iShorr

There’s beauty in the in-between.

Spring starts its march to dominance with a city-wide flurry of flowering magnolias…

…while bare limbed trees hold on to winter, amidst the blossoming buds, blooms, herons and hummingbirds.

A merging of seasons in Victoria, BC.

Seaplane City

Posted on March 17, 2013 by iShorr

From the moment I landed in Victoria, BC, I’ve been drawn to the seaplanes that dot the coast and serve the harbor.

The seaplane’s simplicity allows for the sharp thrill of seeing these hybrid crafts close up.

Catch the one on the rooftop?

Along Victoria’s Inner Harbor it seems there’s a seaplane round every bend.

And, of course, the planes are framed in beauty…

…with dashing entrances and exits.

On the We Love Seaplanes website, admittedly not a neutral platform, they refer to seaplanes as Eco Ghosts. They dis the discharge of boats and jets and conclude that “Seaplanes tiny environmental footprint makes them environmental ghosts.”

Even seagulls go along for the ride.

Well, if not exactly eco ghosts, seaplanes do serve up a romantic vision of transportation.

“In my heaven there are only seaplanes, transient lovers of two worlds, traitors to the ground. Busting through clouds, free of reins, silver winged fish.” (Jane Culiton)