What are you looking at here? Let me help you get your bearings.
The hills in the distance, and beyond them the mountains you can’t see because of the low cloud cover, are on the mainland of British Columbia, just north of Vancouver. I am standing on Vancouver Island. You can deduce from that, that the city of Vancouver is not on Vancouver Island. In this photo we are looking to the east.
I’ve climbed up a hill a little way and am now looking to the south. You can see a spit of land that reaches out from the land’s end. The spit has been formed by a gazillion years of wave action swishing the sand along and dropping it to form a giant finger of sand. All the land you can see in this photo, including the mountains, is on Vancouver Island.
Looking to the west, you can see the sheltered water on the inside of the spit, and the harbour of Comox in the distance. Those toothpicks sticking up are the masts and trolling poles of fishing boats and sailboats in the marina. The two boats at anchor in the foreground are getting free moorage.
A few weeks ago, the Captain and I went for a walk that took us to the inside of the sheltered bay. You can see part of the spit in the distance on the far right horizon.
On the way to the trail we noticed the run-off from the excessive amount of rain we’d had. This is not a year-round creek, but a temporary run-off creek. I feel sorry for the large tree that has its feet in water, day and night. It may soon go the way of the broken off tree trunk in the photo below this one.
It may be broken off, but this tree is still serving a useful purpose. It is making many birds happy. Nuthatches and woodpeckers will make holes in the trees to nest in, and the bugs they find in the trunk help give them strength to continue their work and to feed their babies.
Farther along, we came to the boardwalk. I love this scene. You see the run-off creek completing the water cycle as it brings the rainwater back to the sea. It’s great to have the boardwalk and not have to wade through the creek.
The trees along the water are mostly deciduous types. They are probably cottonwoods and a few poplar or alder types mixed in. My guess is they are cottonwoods because those grow taller than the others, and these are a good size.
Even in the cool weather, you can have a great day going for a walk around your neighbourhood.
I love that you mentioned creatures can still thrive in and beside a tree, even if it’s not in its best shape. But that’s so me, isn’t it? 🙂
I keep coming up with material for your posts, Cathi! I should get a commission!
Ha haaa! We can be partners in craziness.
Yup! I think we already are!
Thank for taking us on a walk with lots of beautiful places to see on Vancouver Island! Greetings from the Interior of BC, where we are still struggling with old man Winter, who refuses to leave and make room for Spring!
It’s an especially cold week just now. Let’s hope it gets better.
Great scenes Anneli! Thanks for the tour. The mountains are so impressive!
We haven’t seen them as often as we’d like this winter, with so much cloud cover.
I can hardly wait to visit there in June! Thanks for whetting my saltwater appetite!
Let’s order in some good weather. It should be warmer by then, if not sunny.
Such an interesting area.
Always something to see or do.
Beautiful photos, Anneli!
Thanks, Gina. You’ll have to check out the views in person this summer.
Wow! Your photographs are stunning, Anneli. The third and fourth shots look like paintings. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you like them, Jill. Thanks. Enjoy your weekend.
You too!
This scenery is amazing! Thank you for the tour, Anneli. I have never been to Canada and Vancouver, but I know that many refer to Vancouver as the most beautiful city in the world. The panorama is breathtaking and Vancouver Island looks very nice indeed. x
As cities go, Vancouver is very nice, but I prefer the island, with a smaller population of people and a bigger population of birds and other wildlife. But we do like the whole area in general. Can’t imagine living anywhere else.
I’d definitely prefer the island too, it looks wonderful with the birds and the wildlife. Glad to see you have found such a lovely place to live. For how long have you lived there?
Since high school, the island has been home. I’ve worked in the BC interior and then on the Queen Charlotte Islands but home is really always Vancouver Island.
It’s easy to see, Anneli, how your environment influences your writing. I am enjoying The Wind Weeps. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading it, Carol. I may leave you hanging a little bit at the end because the sequel (Reckoning Tide) ties up the loose ends.
Wow, what a lovely neighborhood you have, Anneli. I enjoyed seeing the beautiful vistas, and also hearing about how it is all integrated into your life, being aware of the runoff, the birds, the trees, even the boardwalk. Thank you for this glimpse.
We love it here, and it gets better in the warmer months with more birdlife.
I love your photos! 🙂
Thanks, Lynette. That makes me smile.
Enjoyed the tour.
Looks like spring has arrived.
That day, it did. Now we’re back to cold rain.
That is a very beautiful part of the world!
It’s beautiful in its own way, but you live in a very pristine and beautiful place yourself. We love Montana.
Love your photos. I have some friends who live in British Columbia.
I hope it’s in southern BC. The northern part is still quite cold.
They’re in Vancouver.
Oh that’s good. Not as cold as the rest of BC.
Lovely travel-log respite for a Friday morning! Thanks!
Thanks, Laura. Nothing you have to think too hard about. Just some pretty pictures. Sometimes that’s all we need to get a nice start on the day.
You got that right!
Umm, my neighborhood looks nothing like this one. Yours is so much more beautiful. What a wonderful trail to have nearby where you live. Do the dogs go with you? You’ve seen some of the trails we’ve been on at my blog. No big bodies of water or mountains, but nice rivers and creeks.
I enjoyed going for that walk with you among the mountains and the ocean. Have a great weekend.
There’s something special and unique about every place. That’s what makes blogging interesting and fun. We can share what we have.
Beautiful sites and a lovely walk, Anneli. I have to get up there sometime soon. 🙂
I think it’s a great place to visit (and to live). Hope you can put it on your list of destinations.
So beautiful, Anneli. I love the boardwalk.
Thanks, Jennie. I like it there under all those trees.
You’re welcome, Anneli. 🙂
Beautiful pictures, Anneli. They are like oil paintings.
Thanks, Victor. There are a few nice places in our area and when the sun shines just right, it’s fun to take pictures there.
That’s a beautiful neighborhood Anneli. Loved the pics and whole experience..
Thanks. It’s great when the weather co-operates.
Anneli, these photographs are stunning! I liked the hill with houses and the Bayside. The peeking between trees shot was also beautiful! Your books are full of the landscape creating setting and another part of the story’s “characters.”
Thanks, Robin. In my novels, I tried to use many of the places I know, so that makes it easier to feel like I’m right there.
I think I made sure to convey in tomorrow’s post that environment or setting is important to the stories you tell, Anneli. 💐
I’ll watch for your post, Robin. Thank you.
You are so kind to say thank you often. It was an honor and a privilege, Anneli. I am happy to have you as a friend! Your friendship and devoted comments give Me so much back. ❤️
That’s great to hear! The feeling is mutual.
It is always nice to have someone who cares! I wish I could be more timely but I do try to go back and catch missed posts. 🙂