A walk in the old hood
I used to live much higher up the mountains and this beautiful park used to be my every day walk. There is a special lake here which serves as the Vancouver drinking water reservoir, so it’s a very peaceful place since people are not allowed near the water. Today there were a few wild swans on the lake and a large flock flew over head, probably off up north for the breading season.
The hummingbirds are back and flashing their ruby throats all over the place and absolutely dazzling jewels in this blue and white postcard setting.
The water level flowing down the dam is still moderate; the thaw hasn’t really begun.
I walked from the park thru the streets and over the little creeks of my old neighbourhood.
One of my old neighbours was trimming his forsythia. I stopped to ask him if I could have some for the vase and he said he was more than happy to be rid of it. I couldn’t understand that because to me forsythia is so cheery and bright, so happy to bloom, a real herald of spring. I came away with a huge bunch.
A bit further on my walk someone was trimming his magnolia. How lucky can a girl get?
Those soft velvety buds are simply beautiful as they are, let alone when they begin to open and reveal their brilliantly pink and creamy blooms.
I chose some vases and spent a few lovely minutes arranging my branches.
I thought the magnolia would look lovely in this creamy ironstone vase but in the end I felt loathed to cut down the spectacular stems and so got a cut crystal ruby vase I brought from Prague years ago.
Now I can’t stop photographing the magnolias in the evening sun.
www.reddancerstudio.com
Love the magnolia branches in the red crystal vase. Absolutely beautiful. BTW, thank you for not telling me how Downton Abbey ended. I don’t know if I’ll watch another season.
Veronica
Hi Marianna, I’m glad you love them, I do too. 🙂 The next season of Downton Abbey…not sure myself. I think I might re-watch another BBC period drama, like North and South. I bet I’d enjoy that just as much. Huggs to you my friend. 🙂
KathyB.
You captured the light through the vase at a perfect moment. The vase has such a rich red color. I love ( covet) it. You are right, you got mighty lucky and took your walk at the perfect time . You scored a bounty of blooming beauty !
Veronica
It’s so true Kathy, and thank you. I love that ruby red. It’s why I still have my father’s old velevet curtains all over the house. (Plus he bought them million years ago at an estate sale when a British country house was being redeveloped, so they make me feel all Downton Abbey-ish 🙂 )
Karen
Oh my gosh – trimming the magnolia BEFORE it blooms? I try to save every last blossom when I finally get some. That’s life at the coast for you 😉 Thanks, Veronica.
Veronica
I know Karen, what are they like? lol It’s absolute sacrilege!
JoAnn Bayne
Beautiful – the lake is glorious. Lucky you to get such pretty, early blossoms.
Veronica
So true JoAnn! I have to walk there more often and hopefully score more branches! 🙂
Sabra Bowers
Love going along on your walks. Beautiful.
Veronica
Thank you Sabra, I love taking you with me. Hugs 🙂
Sara V
That lake shot was pure heaven! And I love Magnolias–you are one lucky girl 😉 And I’m lucky you couldn’t stop taking photos of them in the evening light–evening and morning light just make everything magical, don’t you think so?
Veronica
Sara, I wish it was a swiming lake. But then if this was a swiming lake it wouldn’t be so wild and so peaceful. (And the hummingbirds would probably leave) 🙂