Gonzales Bay August 16, 2011

It is not all that uncommon to see deer in this part of town.

Government House in the rain June 27, 2011

In the rain there can be some interesting finds ... and not just wet flowers. With so few people around, two deer were having a good feed in the rose garden.

The older deer was chomping on the rose blossoms. She wasn't too concerned about my presence.

The younger one was not as bold. Aside from the roses, this shrub was a favourite snack.

I wondered if the recent addition of wire on top of the rock wall around the grounds was doing a better job of keeping the deer in rather than out, although with open gates they are free to come and go.

Uneaten roses.

And an iris.

Government House May 13, 2011

Here are some of the flowers in bloom in mid May.

I seem to recall a TV news report not long ago about neighbours of Government House being annoyed that they hadn't been consulted before unsightly wire had been added to the top of the rock walls around the property.

Apparently the purpose was to keep the deer out. These deer, however, are resting inside the walls. I don't know how long the beehives have been there and whether or not they are used.

Government House April 11, 2010

A few pictures from an afternoon walk around the grounds.

Group of three photos, clockwise from bottom left: small pinecones, white bleeding hearts, tulips.

More tulips.

And a peony! I love peonies - don't know exactly why. This is the first one I've seen this year.

Crows were splashing around, bathing in a small pond.

In the lower woodlands, camas were in bloom.

And here were more 'Easter lilies'.

But most surprising was to find deer. These grounds are not far from downtown.

At the duck pond at the front of the grounds was another surprise. This turtle was a fair size, maybe 10" long or so.