DID THE HERON CALL ME?

I was hanging around the motorhome yesterday when I suddenly felt compelled to go to one of the local beach accesses.  After I got out of the car and was walking toward the stairs down to the beach, I spotted this heron.  I took a few photos from the top of the stairs and when he seemed unconcerned, I quietly started descending one step at a time.  When I got to the bottom I noticed the hole in the root wad and slowly edged my way over until he was framed.  He flew when someone surprised him or maybe he got tired of my presence.  A guy from Nigeria came along and we got chatting so  I showed him my framed heron and he got excited and asked if I would do one of him so I did.

Great Blue Heron.

The man from Nigeria.

During our walk last night, I heard this Anna's Hummingbird chattering at us.  Since it was getting a bit dark, it was difficult to spot against the tree background.  I was able to move around and isolate it against the sky.

WE WANDERED AROUND IN A COUPLE OF LITTLE NEIGHBOURHOOD MINI PARKS THE OTHER MORNING.

Warning! the seventh photo is a wee spider.

This is the seedhead of a dogwood tree after the flower has fallen away.

Yarrow.

Coast Leafcutter Bee.

Mullien.

Tree Lavatera, Mallow.

Drone Fly.

Some type of Orbweaver Spider.

A half framed rose.

Western Honey Bee.

Yellow Jacket.

Yellow-haired Sun Fly.

A ray of sun caught this lily just right.

A ray of sun caught this lily just right.

WALK PHOTOS.

Some of today's photos were taken walking from where we're parked at our son's and four were taken on a longer walk my son and I did the other side of the peninsula.

There are lots of nice berries way out of reach.

Cooper's Hawk at son's place.

Cooper's Hawk at son's place.

McKenzie Bight, other side of the peninsula from son's place.

McKenzie Bight, other side of the peninsula from son's place.

McKenzie Bight, other side of the peninsula from son's place.

McKenzie Bight, other side of the peninsula from son's place.

Lots of sailboats near my son's place.

Lots of sailboats near my son's place.

Down the street from son's place.

Down the street from son's place.

OCEAN AND FOREST STREAM.

I was sitting on a bench at Cattle Point watching this seal who kept popping up in the same place.

Richard and I walked up Goldstream Creek and stopped for a few photos.

It was a bit challenging here at Goldstream Falls as there were several people swimming. 

SOME NATURE PHOTOS IN THE VICTORIA AREA.

These photos were taken from several different locations around where we're staying.

Kingfisher.

A leaf in a tidal pool.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

Downy Woodpecker.

Adult and young seals.

Adult and young seal.

Oak leaf thinks it is fall already.

And another leaf too.

TIME TO POST SOME MORE PHOTOS AND UPDATE THINGS.

On Wednesday, August 5, we loaded up, hooked on the Jeep and headed out.  After a smokey drive over the Hope-Princeton, we spent the night near Hope.  Thursday we took the ferry to Vancouver Island and are spending some time visiting our son and his family.

On board the ferry at Tsawwassen waiting for everyone to load.

Pelagic Cormorant taken from the ferry.

Pelagic Cormorant taken from the ferry.

Pelagic Cormorant taken from the ferry.

Lighthouse at the entrance to Active Pass. 

The ferries meet in the middle of Active Pass.

Just as we left Active Pass.

Arbutus tree bark and old branch stubs.

Arbutus tree bark and old branch stubs.

Arbutus tree bark and old branch stubs.