"Start where you are..."

"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can"

Arthur Ashe.

I came across this quote last night, and it struck a chord with me.  My blog has been neglected, despite promises to a couple of friends who don't get to see my stuff on facebook.  I write blog posts in my head, or even on the computer, and don't get the photos done.  I prep some photos but move on to something else before I take the time to load them onto Blogger with some words to link them together. I just deleted three posts because they were started, never finished, and now past the time where they made sense to post (my New Years post, for example!).

So.....forget those past ideas.  I shall start where I am.  I shall use what I have.  I shall do what I can. If you are a facebook friend, I posted these there this week.  If you are not, then enjoy!  (**Waves to Marie!**)

Yesterday was Maggie's third Gotcha Day - three years since I adopted her from Langley Animal Protection Society. And she has never looked back.  Her two favourite activities are going to the beach (an almost daily activity as we live just a couple of blocks away from one of the nicest ones on Vancouver Island), and jumping up on boulders, stumps or logs.  Her favourite toy is anything that contains treats - her snuffle mat is her current favourite.  Her favourite person is ME!  And I love this girl to bits. 

Happy Gotcha Day, Maggie!
(I know, you already saw this photo, but it is my favourite of her)

Last Friday, my friend Pat and I went to Morrell  Nature Sanctuary, one of our favourite places to hike.  It was our first hike there since February, and only our second hike since Covid began.  It did not disappoint. 

So many beautiful flowers

It was busier than we are used to, but then we don't usually hike here in May because that is when a lot of school programs traditionally make use of it (Mags is terrified of kids still), so we have nothing to compare it to. It was still pretty easy to keep physically distanced though, on most trails. And certainly not busy compared to many places. Love this sanctuary!

Pat and the poms, Cosmo and Parker

Honeysuckle

I was photographing flowers, birds and poms.  Maggie suddenly plonked her butt down
 and refused to move until I took a photo of her too!  Silly girl!

Pat and Parker

I still play around with photos sometimes.
I happen to like this photo in black and white best.

I think these are summer oyster mushrooms
but don't quote me on that!

Across Morrell Lake, along the hydro line, this appears to be yellow broom growing
profusely.  It is an invasive species which spreads rapidly and crowds out native flora. 
But it does make for beautiful reflections in the water! 

I was taking photos of some ducks and glanced up the slope to see
Parker and Cosmo watching attentively.

Lilypads on the lake

Reflections at the end of the lake

A female hooded merganser with some of her babies

Same female hooded merganser with the whole brood of nine!

"You can't see me!"

There he is! This is a Western Tanager
I've lived in BC most of my many years and
this is the first one I've seen.  They have a lovely clear song.
They are migrating through, but I hope to see them again.

I hope you enjoyed coming along on this hike with me.
I'll try not to take so long to post next time!

In the words of Dr Bonnie Henry (BC's top doctor):  "This is our time to be kind, to be calm, and to be safe."   Stay healthy, my friends. 💖