Morning Reflection at Goldstream

When you put your hand in a flowing stream,
you touch the last that has gone before
and the first of what still is to come.

Leonardi da Vinci

Scent of Thailand

Forgive the touristy pic but this is what I thought of when I first awoke this morning. Well actually I smelled it. Yes, I smelled the intoxicating aromas of Thailand when I awoke just before 7:00am. Then I recalled that it was this time two years ago I was sauntering through the markets of Bangkok absorbing the unfamiliar sounds and scents. I guess it was that part of my brain that remembered this experience as I was emerging from sleep. This was taken on my first morning in Bangkok. Thailand was a less complicated place to visit (after spending time in China and Tibet) and I was immediately at ease as I took my first steps through this swarming city.

Three Personalities of The Arbutus

Took these shots with my new wide angle lens while visiting Thetis Lake. I'm still learning to increase the aperture more and adjust the angle to avoid unwanted shadows. This is the same tree species at different stages of life. Most people I talk to are enamoured with these reptilian Madronas but no one wants one on their property (except those who are full time gardeners:) because they are constantly shedding their leaves and bark.