The View from Swallows Landing

It was a brisk and sunny day today so I took the opportunity to take in one of my favorite views of the city, from the terrace at Swallows Landing, just above the Matson Lands in Esquimalt. As you can see, our snow has gone just as quick as it came.

The View

Sunday was bright and sunny and immediately after I photographed the Snowdrops posted yesterday I walked to the top of the stairway leading from the West Bay Walkway to the top of the Matson Lands to take this photo - probably my favorite readily accessible view of the city.

Dramatic skies

I mentioned that we've been having dramatic clouds and lighting lately. Here's one taken on the West Bay Walkway. All of this week's photos are taken with one or another of the Takumar lenses I wrote about yesterday. Click the photo to see the detail - these lenses are awesomely sharp.

West Bay Marina

Swallow's Landing not only provides a good view of Victoria but overlooks West Bay Marina as well. Here we can see some of the houseboats and sailboats that use that facility. The houseboats (or float homes) are generally more luxurious than those at Fisherman's Wharf, as well as being more inaccessible. It is not possible to stroll around the pier and look more closely at them. I can't say I blame the owners for gating their piers since tying up at Fisherman's Wharf during tourist season must be a little like living in a zoo.

Favourite View

Here is one of my favourite views of Victoria, taken from the viewpoint provided by the Swallow's Landing condo complex in Esquimalt. This is accessible from the West Bay Walkway by climbing the zig-zag stairway that protects the delicate ecosystem of the rocky hillside. It's only a short climb and the view is well worth the small effort required.

Morning Fog

Fog rolled in from the Strait of Juan de Fuca this morning and obscured Shoal Point and James Bay. This photo was taken about an hour ago from the viewpoint in front of the Swallows Landing condominiums above the West Bay Walkway.

Swallow's Landing II

Yesterday's view of Victoria was taken from the terrace visible in the upper right of this photo. This rather ungainly looking stairway leads from the West Bay Walkway to the two Swallow's Landing condominium towers. While it is not the most attractive stairway, it was designed to protect and preserve the fragile ecosystem beneath and around it known as the Matson Conservation Area, the last remaining bit of the Garry Oak Ecosystem on the shoreline surrounding Victoria's Inner Harbour. This has been preserved in perpetuity by the developer of these condominiums. It's looking a bit frowzy now but this landscape always looks its best in the spring and early summer.

Swallow's Landing

I am happy to share with you today my new favorite view of the Victoria Skyline. This is taken from the terrace of a pair of condominiums called "Swallow's Landing," overlooking the Matson Conservation Area along the West Bay Walkway. I'll tell you a little about this project tomorrow. For those of you who might be interested in yesterday's seal pup, he was there again today and I was a little better prepared with an 80-200mm zoom lens. Some of the people using the walkway are concerned that he is sick or wounded when they see him lying on the cement like this. Wikipedia, however, assures us that when not hunting or feeding, harbour seals like to pull themselves out of the water and rest on convenient rocks. To me he looks very happy and healthy and it is a treat to see him dropping off to sleep, losing his balance and snapping awake again.