HMCS Winnipeg

On any excursion out to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse I am always reminded of Victoria's strong and lengthy association with the navy. During the city's earliest years it was of course only accessible by ship and many of the early ships visiting here were Royal Navy vessels. Canada's main Pacific Naval Base is located in Esquimalt Harbour, directly across from the Fisgard Lighthouse. On my last visit out there I was lucky to see the frigate, HMCS Winnipeg, leaving the harbour. This vessel has been active in anti-terrorist operations in the Persian Gulf and against piracy off the coast of East Africa. It is also used for policing the waters off our Pacific Coast.

Fisgard Lighthouse

Regular visitors here will know that I never miss a chance to photograph our famous local lighthouse and last week was no exception. Usually I try to see it f rom a new angle or in dramatic weather but for this shot I opted for the classic postcard view. Fisgard Lighthouse shares its grounds with another National Historic Site, Fort Rodd Hill. This photo was taken from the top of the cliffs where the Fort Rodd Hill gun emplacements are. There's lots to see out there and we'll have a look at some new developments later this week.

Pancho

As the weather gets warmer with each passing day the number and variety of buskers increases and practically every time I take a walk around the Inner Harbour Causeway I see a new entertainer. Pictured here is Pancho, a juggler from Uruguay. He spends our winters there and comes up here for our summer. Pancho is a very talented juggler with an appealing act. It's positively mesmerizing to watch him make that crystal ball dance.

Cloudwatchers

Fern wasn't the only person watching Saturday afternoon's dramatic cloud show after the rainy morning. Comfortably seated on the convenient mushroom lamps, this pair also enjoyed the show on the Inner Harbour Causeway.

Clouds

Saturday was one of those days that whenever you looked up the sky was doing something amazing. - Fern