On our walk around Government House a couple of jaunty cars showed up.
An unusual looking peony.
An iris. Bright orange California poppies were blooming this week - also a couple of roses.Saturday, May 15, 2010
Government House May 13, 2010
On our walk around Government House a couple of jaunty cars showed up. An unusual looking peony. An iris. Bright orange California poppies were blooming this week - also a couple of roses.
Butchart Gardens May 9, 2010
We took the visitors to Butchart Gardens. Unfortunately, most of the tulips were beginning to fade so they weren't at their most spectacular. I expected to see a more lush display of blue poppies this week but it may be a bad year for them. The few specimens looked weak and battered, so I was lucky to get that photo of a fairly nice one a week or two ago.
Not a good picture but columbines are out and they're one of my favourite flowers.
I think the beds by the entrance gates are at their best this time of year.
Some tulips had been dug up already. I believe one of the gardeners said they keep about 10% of the bulbs.
Not a good picture but columbines are out and they're one of my favourite flowers.
I think the beds by the entrance gates are at their best this time of year.
Some tulips had been dug up already. I believe one of the gardeners said they keep about 10% of the bulbs.Friday, May 14, 2010
A walk around town - May 8, 2010
With relatives visiting for the weekend, we spent the day in downtown Victoria. Weather: sunny and warm. We began with breakfast at the Vista 18 restaurant at Chateau Victoria.
There are great views from this restaurant, although some of it is blocked by a new condo building.
A zoomed-in view of sailing ships in the harbour.
The food however left something to be desired. Are they kidding with these potatoes?
After breakfast we went shopping and saw these amusing handbags.
The protest du jour had something to do with salmon.
This visitors centre at the edge of the Inner Harbour was a gas station many years ago.
On the Empress Hotel grounds these giant tulips as big as your open hand were just past their prime.
There are great views from this restaurant, although some of it is blocked by a new condo building.
A zoomed-in view of sailing ships in the harbour.
The food however left something to be desired. Are they kidding with these potatoes?
After breakfast we went shopping and saw these amusing handbags.
The protest du jour had something to do with salmon.
This visitors centre at the edge of the Inner Harbour was a gas station many years ago.
On the Empress Hotel grounds these giant tulips as big as your open hand were just past their prime.Saturday, May 1, 2010
Butchart Gardens April 29, 2010 - Part 3
Other flowers
Blue poppies are just starting to appear. Last year there weren't any by the beginning of the second week of May when we left town.
I have no idea what these small, bright yellow flowers are. Update: I'm told the miniature yellow flowers are "Hoop Petticoat Daffodils." Thanks, Mrs. H.
Glenn took this photo of a rhododendron.
And that wraps us this week's pictures of flowers at Butchart Gardens.
Blue poppies are just starting to appear. Last year there weren't any by the beginning of the second week of May when we left town.
I have no idea what these small, bright yellow flowers are. Update: I'm told the miniature yellow flowers are "Hoop Petticoat Daffodils." Thanks, Mrs. H.
Glenn took this photo of a rhododendron.And that wraps us this week's pictures of flowers at Butchart Gardens.
Butchart Gardens April 29, 2010 - Part 2
One tulip
I think this tulip deserves a spot of its own. What in its make-up allows it to be created with one red splotch?
I think this tulip deserves a spot of its own. What in its make-up allows it to be created with one red splotch?
Butchart Gardens April 29, 2010 - Part 1
Tulips!
Some tulips haven't opened yet but I am so glad to see the ones that have. The cruise ship season has begun in Victoria so, not surprisingly, the gardens were full of busloads of tourists.
Leaving the Japanese Gardens toward the long bed of tulips.
A closer view. I wonder how many bulbs are in this one bed alone.
Such beautiful colours.
In pots...
... and not in pots (but from awkward angles!).
We renewed our passes so we're good to go for another year.
Some tulips haven't opened yet but I am so glad to see the ones that have. The cruise ship season has begun in Victoria so, not surprisingly, the gardens were full of busloads of tourists.
Leaving the Japanese Gardens toward the long bed of tulips.
A closer view. I wonder how many bulbs are in this one bed alone.
Such beautiful colours. 
In pots...
... and not in pots (but from awkward angles!).We renewed our passes so we're good to go for another year.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Government House April 11, 2010
A few pictures from an afternoon walk around the grounds.
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.
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.Thursday, April 15, 2010
Beacon Hill Park April 9, 2010
On a walk in the park...
The Easter Lilies (white fawn lilies) were blooming.
One of the few remaining great blue herons in the park stood by a pond and caught a small fish while I was watching. Just a few years ago there was a colony of a few hundred herons with about 70 nests. That was before the bald eagles went on a rampage. As far as I know, the heronry has not been re-established.
The Easter Lilies (white fawn lilies) were blooming.
One of the few remaining great blue herons in the park stood by a pond and caught a small fish while I was watching. Just a few years ago there was a colony of a few hundred herons with about 70 nests. That was before the bald eagles went on a rampage. As far as I know, the heronry has not been re-established.Sunday, April 11, 2010
Butchart Gardens April 1, 2010 - Three Changes
We noticed three changes on this visit.
1. The new path is open.
2. The tall arbutus tree on top of the centre boulder has been taken down. From the ground this tree led the eye upward to the sky so it seems a drastic change. It was getting pretty spindly though. A new arbutus has been planted to take its place.
3. This bamboo archway in the Japanese garden is new to us.
Otherwise, fritillaria is blooming earlier than last year.
Left: I don't know what this plant is but its rich green leaves look like something that could be tossed into a salad. Right: trillium. Pink fawn lilies are also in bloom in the Japanese garden.
A towhee alighted for a moment.
Colour in the gardens.
1. The new path is open.
2. The tall arbutus tree on top of the centre boulder has been taken down. From the ground this tree led the eye upward to the sky so it seems a drastic change. It was getting pretty spindly though. A new arbutus has been planted to take its place.
3. This bamboo archway in the Japanese garden is new to us.
Otherwise, fritillaria is blooming earlier than last year.
Left: I don't know what this plant is but its rich green leaves look like something that could be tossed into a salad. Right: trillium. Pink fawn lilies are also in bloom in the Japanese garden.
A towhee alighted for a moment.
Colour in the gardens.
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