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.Saturday, March 27, 2010
Hatley Park - Japanese garden
Part 3
The Japanese garden looks the same as usual. Several gardeners were working there.
I can't remember what these purple and pink flowers are called but they are quite tiny and grow low to the ground. Update: the plant is Pulmonaria or Lungwort.
It's a good time of year for skunk cabbage apparently.
Sundial in the rose garden. I especially remember being here as a kid with my Grandmother. There is a wall on one side of this garden, and this visit was the first time I've ever been through the gate. On the other side is a house and greenhouses... and more gardeners.
This waterwheel used to be painted. When I was little I was fascinated by this "huge" waterwheel. Years later I went back and was shocked to find that it shrunk considerably. That's how it seemed once I was bigger anyway.
End of Hatley Park tour.
The Japanese garden looks the same as usual. Several gardeners were working there.
I can't remember what these purple and pink flowers are called but they are quite tiny and grow low to the ground. Update: the plant is Pulmonaria or Lungwort.
It's a good time of year for skunk cabbage apparently.
Sundial in the rose garden. I especially remember being here as a kid with my Grandmother. There is a wall on one side of this garden, and this visit was the first time I've ever been through the gate. On the other side is a house and greenhouses... and more gardeners.
This waterwheel used to be painted. When I was little I was fascinated by this "huge" waterwheel. Years later I went back and was shocked to find that it shrunk considerably. That's how it seemed once I was bigger anyway.End of Hatley Park tour.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Hatley Park - statues
Part 2
The statues in the park are the same as always, except they look a little neglected.
I love this lion. It's probably my favourite work in all of Victoria.
A few years ago when I visited with my dad and sister, the lions were nearly pure white. Now they look coated with soot.
Little statue at the top of the front stairs. It was disappointing to see some things not working, such as the nearby Neptune-sculpture fountain which was turned off.
The statues representing the four seasons are still in the Italian garden. There is Flora, Pomona and Ceres... but I can't guarantee they're shown here in the right order.
But my favourite of the four has always been Hebe, representing winter. Glenn painted this statue during a paint-in once and the painting sold before it was finished.
The statues in the park are the same as always, except they look a little neglected.
I love this lion. It's probably my favourite work in all of Victoria.
A few years ago when I visited with my dad and sister, the lions were nearly pure white. Now they look coated with soot.
Little statue at the top of the front stairs. It was disappointing to see some things not working, such as the nearby Neptune-sculpture fountain which was turned off.
The statues representing the four seasons are still in the Italian garden. There is Flora, Pomona and Ceres... but I can't guarantee they're shown here in the right order. 
But my favourite of the four has always been Hebe, representing winter. Glenn painted this statue during a paint-in once and the painting sold before it was finished.Hatley Park & Castle - March 18, 2010
Part 1
Revisiting places can lead to disappointment.
My parents first took me to Hatley Park in greater Victoria when I was very little. Many glorious summer days were spent in the rose, Italian and Japanese gardens when my grandmother and other relatives came to visit. I particularly remember sitting in the shade of the castle's porte-cochere, and gazing at the 'huge' water wheel which turned out not to be huge at all - I was just small. I always felt relaxed and at home at the park as if it was my own personal garden. I continued to go as an adult with family and friends.
All my life the park had been FREE to visit. This all changed a few years ago after it became a National Historic site operated, I believe, by a university. Somebody decided to charge a fee and this then involved fencing in the garden area. There was a public outcry but the operators eventually got their way. They appeased locals in the immediate neighbourhood by allowing them free access and by lowering the proposed fee for everyone else. I hadn't been back since.
The fee of under $5 might not be a lot but I resent paying to see 'my' (and the public's) park which, in my opinion, should still be free.
Information for the visitor is very poor. I couldn't find any indication, for instance, that parking is extra. Expect to pay a couple of dollars for that. One website shows an entrance fee of $4.75, another shows $4.50 increasing to $9 from May to October. Entry with castle tour is more. We felt bad for a couple of visitors what had come all the way from Vancouver expressly to tour the castle only to find it closed.
I'm a little disgusted with some of the changes that have taken place, such as the addition of more modern buildings, and fences chopping up the grounds. The lion's head fountain was turned off and some things had an unkempt appearance.
Nowadays you have to park below the castle. It's unfortunate that an ugly parking lot interrupts the sweeping views to the lagoon and ocean. First time visitors wouldn't know to drop less mobile people up at the castle since there is no indication upon entering where you have to pay.
The castle from the Italian garden.
At least the huge mast eyesore from when it was run by the military is gone from the front of the castle.
Back lawn.
Arbutus tree. (Some photos have odd colouring because our camera was on the wrong light setting.) I used to see deer on the lawns on occasion.
The peacocks are still around. I didn't notice any white ones this visit.
Part of the Italian garden. It probably would have been better to visit about a month from now when there would be more plants and flowers.
Revisiting places can lead to disappointment.
My parents first took me to Hatley Park in greater Victoria when I was very little. Many glorious summer days were spent in the rose, Italian and Japanese gardens when my grandmother and other relatives came to visit. I particularly remember sitting in the shade of the castle's porte-cochere, and gazing at the 'huge' water wheel which turned out not to be huge at all - I was just small. I always felt relaxed and at home at the park as if it was my own personal garden. I continued to go as an adult with family and friends.
All my life the park had been FREE to visit. This all changed a few years ago after it became a National Historic site operated, I believe, by a university. Somebody decided to charge a fee and this then involved fencing in the garden area. There was a public outcry but the operators eventually got their way. They appeased locals in the immediate neighbourhood by allowing them free access and by lowering the proposed fee for everyone else. I hadn't been back since.
The fee of under $5 might not be a lot but I resent paying to see 'my' (and the public's) park which, in my opinion, should still be free.
Information for the visitor is very poor. I couldn't find any indication, for instance, that parking is extra. Expect to pay a couple of dollars for that. One website shows an entrance fee of $4.75, another shows $4.50 increasing to $9 from May to October. Entry with castle tour is more. We felt bad for a couple of visitors what had come all the way from Vancouver expressly to tour the castle only to find it closed.
I'm a little disgusted with some of the changes that have taken place, such as the addition of more modern buildings, and fences chopping up the grounds. The lion's head fountain was turned off and some things had an unkempt appearance.
Nowadays you have to park below the castle. It's unfortunate that an ugly parking lot interrupts the sweeping views to the lagoon and ocean. First time visitors wouldn't know to drop less mobile people up at the castle since there is no indication upon entering where you have to pay.
The castle from the Italian garden.
At least the huge mast eyesore from when it was run by the military is gone from the front of the castle.
Back lawn.
Arbutus tree. (Some photos have odd colouring because our camera was on the wrong light setting.) I used to see deer on the lawns on occasion.
The peacocks are still around. I didn't notice any white ones this visit.
Part of the Italian garden. It probably would have been better to visit about a month from now when there would be more plants and flowers.Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Butchart Gardens March 14, 2010
Indoor garden
Pretty blossoms.
Magnolias again.
Rhododendron bud.
Yes, you can see gerbera daisies at the florist, but they add a nice bit of colour here.
The Alcanterea revisited
You may remember this unusual plant and the picture of the sign I posted back in January.
Well, now there is a new sign. Now the plant is from Brazil instead of Chile, and the new spelling of Alcanterea with the 'ea' ending rather than 'ia' ending is probably correct. The plant is nearly finished flowering so, sadly, I guess that will soon be the end of it. Who knows if I'll ever see another one of these in my life.
And that was the last weekend of the Spring Prelude indoor garden at Butchart's. Correction: I was wrong - it actually continues to the end of the month.
Pretty blossoms.
Magnolias again.
Rhododendron bud.
Yes, you can see gerbera daisies at the florist, but they add a nice bit of colour here.The Alcanterea revisited
You may remember this unusual plant and the picture of the sign I posted back in January.
Well, now there is a new sign. Now the plant is from Brazil instead of Chile, and the new spelling of Alcanterea with the 'ea' ending rather than 'ia' ending is probably correct. The plant is nearly finished flowering so, sadly, I guess that will soon be the end of it. Who knows if I'll ever see another one of these in my life.And that was the last weekend of the Spring Prelude indoor garden at Butchart's. Correction: I was wrong - it actually continues to the end of the month.
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