Tag Archives: Southern Gulf Islands

Blog, Photography, Wanderings

Red Moon

Last evening, I took a tripod and a new camera to East Point, on Saturna, to see if I could get the hang of night photography.

I still have lots to learn about exposure, timing, focusing, and operating my new camera in the dark… (Hello, what was I thinking?)

Red Moon at 7:51 pm on Saturna, September 27. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Above, the early part of the show, once the moon rose above the haze/fog of Bellingham, on the West Coast. It was 7:51 p.m. local time.

 

Red Moon at 8:04 pm local time, Saturna Island, BC. Photo by Andrée Fredette

After about 15 minutes, the moon’s orange and gold brilliance became more intense.  I apologize for the fuzziness of this photo, taken at 8:04 p.m.  I will need to check out and set up the remote shutter app, so I don’t have to touch the camera (and make it vibrate) to activate the shutter – especially at night.

 

Red Moon at 8:15 pm, local time, Saturna Island, BC. Photo by Andrée Fredette

And 10 minutes later, at 8:15 pm, the moon was already losing its orange tinge.

And at the same time, a Holland America cruise ship – the Oosterdam – leaving Vancouver on its way to San Diego,  was coming through. It was following Boundary Pass, the international line that separates the Canadian and American islands…

Red Moon over the Oosterdam cruise ship in Boundary Passs. Photo by Andrée Fredette

As you can see, I had issues with speed settings. The moon was fairly stationary, but not the cruise ship! Here is the Oosterdam, in all its glory, full speed ahead, and all its lights blazing. And more than a bit fuzzy…

 

Oosterdam Cruise Ship and its light show, passing by Saturna Island, BC. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Viewed from a distance, a cruise ship produces an impressive “light waterfall” on the water.

 

Night Lights on Orcas Island, viewed from Saturna Island, BC. Photo by Andrée Fredette

And across the pass, the towers of Orcas Island leave a red trail in the waters of Boundary Pass.

Blog, Inspiration, Photo Wednesday, Photography, Wanderings

Fall Equinox – Photo Wednesday

First day of fall. Getting used to the idea that summer is over.

Although I have to stay on flat terrain and paths, I am happy to report that I am walking again, without the giant plastic boot, cane or crutches. What a relief!

 

Most on trunk, after the first rains in months. Photo by Andrée Fredette

On this first day of fall, the weather has certainly changed, and so has the forest. The first rains have greened the forest floor. Moss really responds to moisture very quickly. It doesn’t look as discouraged as before…

 

Blackberry Leaf, Stressed. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Above,  the leaves are showing stress. The drought was hard on vegetation, even in the shady areas.

 

Chainsaw Tic Tac Toe. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Above, a tree stump in which a creative logger for Parks Canada left a tic-tac-toe of chainsaw cuts…

 

Leaf veins form a lace-like network. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Above, the lace-like veins of a leaf, offering a hint, a reminder of what once was and is on the way out. Still, elegant…

 

Bracken Fern Detail. Beautiful Texture. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Above, bracken fern (Pteridium), an elegant plant with very interesting texture, up close and personal.

And speaking of up close and personal, my latest discovery:

 

Yellow-Ladle Liverwort (Scapania bolanderi), Saturna Island. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Yellow-Ladle liverwort (Scapania bolanderi)… Tiny, tiny liverwort. I did not really know what was on the photo before I looked at full resolution, on my computer screen… The “sticks” on that photo are fir needles, to give you an idea of the scale. I will return with a tripod to take a sharper set of pictures of this little treasure. And maybe correct the ID of this one.  And speaking of identifying the things I discover on my walks, I have a reference shelf…

Here is a well-used book in our house:

Plants of Coastal British Columbia, by Pojar & MacKinnon.

Can’t recommend this book enough! Everything from trees to lichens, for this region. Very useful and informative.

Go have a walk outside!

Blog, Just Because, Photo Wednesday

Sunset Sky in August – Photo Wednesday

Tonight’s sunset was heart-stopping. I was stalking it with my camera, from my deck. I knew it was going to be a repeat of yesterday’s show, and did not want to miss it.

Sunset over Pender Island, Southern Gulf Islands of BC. Photo by Andrée Fredette

A slow lowering …

Sunset over Pender Island, August 12, 2015. Photo by Andrée Fredette

With a touch of cloud, to provide a little veiling.

And the sun kept traveling down, cradled between two hills, before disappearing.

Golden heat
descending behind
dark forests

Western sky,
on fire
at the
edge of the world

Southern Gulf Island Sunset, BC. Photo by Andrée Fredette

I added a little visual jazz to this last photo. Let us call it “The last heat of the day”.

Bonne nuit!

Blog

Sailing on Summer Weekends

From my house, I get to watch the sailors in the summertime. Little boats, big boats…

Regatta, from the bluff. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Sometimes, they play all together.
Regata time, with spinnakers. Photo by Andrée FredetteAnd when they turn around to go home, I love the colourful spinnakers.

Sailing together in the silver light, between Pender and Saturna Island. Photo by Andrée FredetteThe next day’s race was scheduled later in the afternoon. The silver afternoon light is just magic.

And sometimes, sailors prefer to work solo.

Little sailboat in the breeze. Photo by Andrée FredetteSailing by yourself is a special kind of solitude, time to reflect, but also to react quickly to changing conditions. No one else to blame in case of a mistake.

The above sailor looks headed for the US (smile). That little chunk of land on the right is Blunden Islet, at the tip of South Pender Island, in BC. The islands in the background are Waldron and Orcas, in the US.

Competitors, sailing regatta. Photo by Andrée FredetteDuring the same sailing event, serious sailors competed on bigger boats. Team work and play. Less meditation, more intensity.

And sometimes, things don’t go as planned.

The wreck of the Robertson II, 2007. Photo by Andrée FredetteIn 2007, on the eve of the Saturna Lamb Barbecue (a July Saturna tradition for over 50 years), the Robertson II ran aground on a reef near Saturna Island, in the middle of the night.  Miscalculation, distraction, too much pre-partying?  Night sailing is demanding and unforgiving.

Oh well.

Sailing in July. Photo by Andrée Fredette

Back to daytime sailing. And the afternoon light.

I caught the boat pictured above sailing “in the silver”, a couple of days ago. The late afternoon light was perfect.  Then, I played with the filters and colour intensity. I think this is going to be a print. In the meantime, enjoy it online.

And go play outside!