Summer's Here...Again!

After a week or so of weather with an autumnal chill in the air we suddenly had a reversion to summer weather with temps in the high 20s. I figured it was a good time to take a last look at the beach in its summer dress. Above is what Willows Beach looked like yesterday.

Ghost Cat

Sculptor Fred Dobbs has two sculptures on display in Oak Bays Arts Alive program. This one is on Beach Drive. It is called "Ghost Cat". According to the artist's website, "The title for Ghost Cat came from a description of cougars, as elusive, secretive creatures, seldom seen and were more like ghosts."

What the Nose Knows

When I posted a photo of the Bodhi Frog last week I mentioned that it was only one of a group of sculptures scattered around Oak Bay as part of their Arts Alive Program. Above is another of the pieces, this one called "What the Nose Knows" by artist Ron Simmer.

Bodhi Frog

I mentioned a few days ago that Oak Bay has some sculptures on display at various public venues and that I proposed to feature a few here. So far however, I have only had time to photograph one, pictured above. It's called Bodhi Frog by Doug Taylor and it is currently installed on Willows Beach. The wheels whirl in opposite directions and sparkle in the sun making it a very eye-catching piece of beach sculpture.

Beach Pianos

The first thing I saw when I arrived at Cattle point yesterday was this gaily painted piano. It's one of a set of five painted pianos that are part of the Oak Bay Arts Alive Program. There are also a dozen sculptures scattered around Oak Bay. We'll have a look at one of the sculptures tomorrow. Shortly after I took the above photo a man came along and sat down and proceeded to play, really beautifully. Later on my drive around the shoreline I came across another of these pianos, this one on Willows Beach, pictured below. To find out more about the Arts Alive Program, click HERE.

Great Beach House

I took a spin around the the eastern side of Victoria today to Cattle Point and Willows Beach. I had to stop and photograph this beach construction - now that's a beach house!

Chinese Cemetery Redux

Fern's off on a road trip to our southern neighbor so I'm back on Sunday posting duty. I mentioned a couple of days ago I had returned to Harling Point. I found the tide out again - I really should trouble myself to check some tide tables. I found that the altar pictured above has been freshly painted since last time I photographed it and it looks quite different. I am posting another photo of it today because it's such a peaceful and slightly mysterious scene. You have to keep in mind that this scene is urban Oak Bay - little more than a hundred meters back is a dense residential neighbourhood. Click HERE to see some past posts of Harling Point.

Brodiaea

Victoria generally has a long and lush spring but about this time of year it dries out and, while I love the rich greens of spring, I am always pleased to see the lovely purple flowers of Brodiaea among the dry grasses. These were photographed yesterday at Harling Point. I'm beginning to realize (to paraphrase the popular song) that when you go out with a camera you don't always get what you want but you will probably get something.

Harling Point

This is the view from Harling point looking in a westerly direction. This is not the view I went there to photograph. The subject I wanted to picture is that huge whitish boulder down on the shore on the right. However, I realized when I got there that for the photograph I had in mind, I needed the tide to be in and it was low tide. I'll go back in about ten days or two weeks.

Chinese Cemetery

I went to Harling Point today to work a little more on landscape photography. The point is also the site of the Chinese cemetery which has been closed for many years though it is still maintained. Pictured above is the altar where memorial ceremonies take place. The cemetery site was chosen according to careful interpretation of Feng Shui principles and it does seem to be a special place.

Oak Bay Tea Party

When you have a tea party of course you have to have tea cups.

Willows Beach

The carnival ride photo I posted yesterday is located in Willows Park where the rest of the Oak Bay Tea Party events also take place. We'll have some more photos of the Tea Party events this week. Today's photo is Willows Beach, probably Victoria's most popular ocean beach. When the busy bustling midway became a little overpowering it was nice to take a stroll along the beach.

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel

I had the good fortune to have lunch at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel yesterday and took advantage of my visit to photograph the pool (above) and the rear portion of the hotel (below) that overlooks the pool/spa area. This hotel was recently erected on the site of the former Oak Bay Beach Hotel that for many years was a main social center for Victorian society. Lunch in The Snug (one of several dining venues) was delicious and though the weather was overcast, the view was impressive.

Beach Days - Willows Beach

Our coolish summer turned hot last week so I decided it was time for my annual tour of Victoria's beaches. Above is probably the most popular, Willows Beach in Oak Bay.

Screamfest

Before we leave the Oak Bay Tea Party behind for this year I thought I would share with you some screams from a popular midway ride. I'm sure I don't understand why anyone would pay to have an experience that makes you scream but they do and here's proof (video below is 1 minute long).

Town Crier

In those long ago days before the internet, every town had a town crier who broadcast important news to the people. Oak Bay still has one and he can be seen marching in the Tea Party Parade every year, as above, with his lady.

Oak Bay Tea Party

When the Oak Bay Tea Party sets up the midway at Willows Beach Park I am always amazed at how the big trees there make even the glitzy, razz-a-ma-tazz seem pleasantly pastoral.

Oak Bay Tea Party Parade

I just got back from the Oak Bay Tea Party parade so here's a quick glimpse of what it was like. As usual, it was a parade full of kids on bikes and scooters, local marching bands, a few floats, lots of old fire trucks and, of course, some clowns.