Pass of Glencoe

The Pass of Glencoe is a beautiful valley lying in the Lochaber region of the Scottish Highlands. It's special character is derived not just from scenery, but also from it's tragic past...the Massacre of Glencoe.



"Pass of Glencoe"




"Two of Glencoe's Three Sisters"




"Coire nan Lochan"

SOS - Sweep or Swim

On a visit to Piha Beech on the west coast of New Zealand we literally stumbled upon the Piha Big Wave Classic surf boat competition. Australian and New Zealand life saving crews were competing for top honours. They faced high swells which led to some interesting situations...at least for the onlookers.



A large wave suddenly separated a Sweep (helmsman) from his boat - you can just see his head to the left of the oars. He could easily have waited to be rescued, but apparently that wasn't a consideration for him.



"Hey Mate, have you seen our Sweep?"
Doggedly he struggled with the high swells and made his way back to his boat.



However the Tasman Sea wasn't about to make it easy for him to regain his position in the back of the boat.




But Sweeps are a stubborn lot, and he wasn't about to let a mere two metre swell get the better of him.





Finally aboard he hurries to regain his position.




And this boaties crew once again has some direction.

Life's First Field Trip

These young goslings are on an adventure of learning and discovery. Although still within their mother's sight, they are enjoying their freedom and independence.




Of course, that freedom and independence can lead to some shocking discoveries.



"Oh My Gawd!"

Oxtail En Croute

Starters:
Oxtail En Croute
Flavourful classical soup slow-simmered and served in a crisp pastry crust

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You know, sooner or later, it always comes back to food...deliciously good food!

Hide 'n' Seek on Tiritiri Matangi

While hiking on Tiritiri Matangi island in the Hauraki Gulf I encountered a Bellbird who had no interest in being photographed. It was quite happily feeding on the berries of a Large Leafed Mahoe bush and would prefer to do so without an audience.





The Bellbird, or Korimako in it's Māori name, never did let me get a good shot of any more than it's neck and head.





Fortunately for me I later ran into several of it's cousins who had no such reservations.

The Spell of the Yukon

"There's a land -- oh, it beckons and beckons,
And I want to go back -- and I will."...Robert Service

Not only the gold beckons! Emerald Lake is one of the most photographed spots in the Yukon. The beautiful blue-green colour of the lake is created by sunlight reflecting off a white layer of “marl” on the lake bed. Marl is a white calcium carbonate clay that forms in the water and then settles, often unevenly, onto the lake bottom. It forms when enough carbonate, from dissolving limestone, reacts with calcium in the water.





And just down the road...Spirit Lake

Oops....Dropped My Ring!

Hey! You with the Camera!

It was reasonably warm and sunny today so I spent part of the afternoon in Hawrelak park. It seemed a very sensible thing to do as the forecast for next Tuesday is for possible flurries. However I ran into a Lesser Scaup duck who wasn't pleased to see me and didn't appreciate me taking her picture. I can just hear her calling..."Hey! You with the Camera!"

Perth from the Park

One of the most isolated cities in the world, Perth is the capital of Western Australia and home to 1.5 million people. With it's Mediterranean climate and more sunshine than any other large Australian city...maybe that is why everyone here seems so friendly! This photo was taken from Kings Park, a remarkable 400 hectare mix of botanic garden, quiet parkland and the unique bushland common to Western Australia.

Spring Breakup on the Fortymile River, Yukon Territory

"First paddle of the year." Rae Brown, Spring Breakup 1973





The following day...after an ice jam let go upriver.
"We were younger then, not smarter!" Rae Brown, 2009

Up Close and Personal with Madam Pele

Madam Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, treated us to quite the reception as we cruised about 1 mile off shore of the big island of Hawaii. In the first photo hot lava enters the Pacific ocean at Waikupanaha, Hawaii, creating spectacular steam explosions (also called littoral explosions, because they occur at the shoreline, or littoral zone). Huge plumes of steam, gas and debris rise above the boiling water.





Further east along the coast, at Waha'ula, another lava flow drips like candle wax over the sea cliff.





The welcome we received from Madam Pele was indeed very, very warm.

Balga - Keeper of the Trail

When we came across this figure beside a trail in Western Australia we thought that, perhaps, we should have brushed up on our Aboriginal legends before venturing out. Actually, despite the authoritative stance, it's a grass tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii). Because it's trunk is frequently blackened by bush fires it was commonly called 'Black Boy' (in less politically correct times).

Shhh! - The Fish are Talking

On a recent visit to Edmonton's Hawrelak park a female Widgeon duck caught my attention. It was ignoring the other ducks, geese and gulls which were more focused on feeding or protecting their territory. With a playful look and one ear to the water the Widgeon seemed to be saying "Shhh!, The Fish are Talking".

Banff, Alberta

Near the end of August we had the good fortune to be invited to Banff to attend a wedding. The weekend started with rain and ended with snow but the day of the wedding was clear and warm. As we had some time in the morning we hiked along the river the short distance to the Bow Falls.





There are trails on both sides of the Bow river between Banff and the falls. The falls are close to the townsite, perhaps a leisurely 20 minute walk. On the way you pass below the majestic Banff Springs hotel. We now had to hurry back to our hotel to change and get to the church in time for the wedding.





Hurrying can be difficult when hiking beside the glacier silt laden Bow river. The emerald green colour of the river is stunning.





After the wedding, we grabbed a coffee at Starbucks and did some more exploring before the reception started. We went up to the previously spotted Banff Springs hotel...what a lady! This would be a fabulous place to stay while visiting Banff, however, I'm not sure I want to know the room rates!




After thoroughly exploring the hotel we had time for a quick tour through Banff town and then we were off to enjoy the wedding reception.





The next morning we awoke to wet snow...bye Banff!