Wednesday 15 August 2012

Island time

We have just spent a wonderful weekend on one of the Gulf Islands, a group of islands between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Reached by boat or by ferry, my husband always says that as soon as he gets on the ferry he switches to island time.

Island time is less hurried, time to just enjoy the scenery, catch up on reading, take a nap, listen to the wind in the trees, the waves on the shore and the sounds of the birds.

Welcomed by the patina on this bell near the entrance.


In the morning I sat by the shore, enjoyed my cup of tea, and watched the sun play on the water.



At some distance a heron was preening and watching, but in no hurry.


The sun bathed the trees and the plants and chased away the dew. 

 








These birds were circling in the sky, it wasn't until later in the day that we identified them as vultures.



Salal berries and salal:






Globe shaped cobwebs catching the early light:



Later in the morning a doe and her fawns visited; they munched on the salal as we sat close by watching.


Other visitors dropped by.


 

A trip on the water gave us some great views of the shore and shore life.





A closer look at one of the vultures:



Kelp and tube worms:







Creatures hidden on the beach and in the forest:




Arbutus trees are found in a narrow band along the south coast and on the Gulf Islands. They thrive in the dry rocky soil and are seen on sun drenched rocky bluffs overlooking the ocean. 







The light slowly changes and then starts to fade on a perfect summer day.




Golden light accents the details.





And the light slowly slips below the horizon.



I hope you have managed to slip into "island time" with me. A favorite film "Enchanted April" mentions that time seems to "slipping sideways", yes, I think it does.

Thank you for dropping by for my Whimsy Wednesday, until next week.....

27 comments:

  1. Sounds and looks like an idyllic place to spend time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. my goodness! all of this was gorgeous. the light of day proceeded so beautifully thru your photos! i loved that craggy tree on the shore. what a beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These photos are like a refreshing spring breeze. You and your husband really know how to enjoy Island Time the way it was intended … relaxed and leisurely full of tranquil moments. I like how you managed to escape the hustle and bustle it usually takes to get there and how the bell signals the beginning of a holiday. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoyed your island time, looks idyllic and relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, that doe and her fawns! I so love to see them, and can imagine you and your husband sitting quietly, watching them munch and appreciating all that is beautiful about an island getaway. Also loved the bell and the golden light.. just a tranquil and lovely time reading your post, Gillian. Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful! You have a great eye for seeing and photographing details and of course the views across the water are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the things you choose to capture on camera. Beautiful images. Especially love the ocean critters up close. Very interesting. And the deer shots are nice. Some of the shots remind me of fall.....the trees over the water. A little secret corner of the world. Thanks for sharing:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ah....... looks like a lovely place!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Gillian, I loved going on this island trip. The photos are beautiful. Being a nature lover, I enjoyed the birds, trees and the water. Lovely photos.

    ReplyDelete
  10. so many beautiful sights, the deer are just precious!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You've certainly been around our province this month haven't you.

    Love the Island shots, miss the water...I saw vultures up here this morning...they are pretty ugly poor babies.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved this post. It's idyllic. I love island time. Looks like the perfect place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is an area I always wanted to visit. A great trip round it you gave me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Time looks passing slowly on that island – your photos speak so. No wonder you’ve gotten refreshed and recharged.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You had an adventurous holidays. It must have been lovely. I love the Deer and her babes. And the others too. Thanks Gillian.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Thanks so much for sharing all your photos with us.

    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  17. Isn't it incredible to live in a Country that has so much different, but all beautiful in its own way. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It looks wonderful Gillian.. I am in envy.

    ReplyDelete
  19. interesting shots. So many different things you have nearby. .)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can feel that slow pace as I gasp at the beauty of your shots!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gillian, such a fine collection of images as only you can offer. And such poetic prose. You made great use of the lovely light. That doe and her fawns are just delightful. I always enjoy your posts.. thanks for that.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh to be on island time right now. I paid this past week for taking vacation the week before. The Judge has been on vacation for 2 weeks, so this week I get to pay for his vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the island. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. It was lovely to board the ferry and slip away to an island with you - now i'm wondering which one it was! You captured the beauty of the island in your photos Gillian!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful day, my parents use to live on Pender Island and we were over quite often to see them. They are both gone now and so we don't go over any more. It was nice to have a pictorial visit to the islands once again. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Perfect day ... love the changing light!

    ReplyDelete
  26. "Island Time" a wonderful thing indeed. Your photos capture the gentle journey of the day beautifully.

    ReplyDelete