Looking back at January in Vancouver, BC

There were incredibly days when it got dark so early such as this day downtown.




There were days when it was so foggy in the morning you could hardly see here on my street and it was worse if you were nearer to water. And the sun didn't rise until 8 although it was difficult to see.


I often warmed myself up from my morning walks at Liberty Cafe.











I had fun walking along Main Street and dicscovering stores I hadn't been aware of.



















I looked for colour and hope of spring...















I learned to really appreciate trees without leaves and incredible skies














The beauty of a frosty car window














One of my favourite places always-Granville Island














And sometimes you are just driving home from a movie and just as you draw near Science World magic happens...



















And sometimes you are able to take the perfect picture...












Sometimes my neighbourhood walks you came upon interesting creatures


















Some mornings I climbed the hill up to Queen Elizabeth Park and could see clear views of our beautiful local mountains














And some days again were just very rainy-it was hard getting out of the car














and I had to create my own colour














Until the skies created it for me
















as did early signs of spring almost matching the skies





































And how we love blue skies especially after rainy or this year foggy days















But  sometimes we just have to find the beauty in the rain














Or smell a bouquet of flowers at the market















Before you check out a stormy beach














And wait to catch a sunrise















or hide out drinking coffee and and admiring faux art














Sometimes colour came from inside a shop window reminding me of our Winter Olympics when all the kids at my school received free Olympic mittens from a kind benefactor















some nights were dark and spook


















Sometimes  sunset came early but magically outside my upstairs window















Early morning at Kits Point looking at Stanley Park and the west end could be amazing














Or just going  to Steveston gazing out















And then at a garden shop for more glimpses  of spring




















Pink skies



















Foggy beauty


















Misty day dreams















where are we going?














 But the next day again cleared up in the afternoon as we checked out an exhibit at Chinese Cultural Centre

But we were drawn outside into the gardens

More pink misty mornings













 

Then going high above the fog to  Mount Seymour




















Snow crisp-magic winter















Or back down on the ground for the Lunar New Year
















And finally clear skies
















Another rainy day, and a  food photography tour through Railtown





First  Cadieux Bakery to sample pastry












Then to the Butcher shop for a yummy sandwich











And a quick stop at the grocery store















Then more delicious samples at the Railtown Cafe

















Finally a bit of wine tasting











And a bi more strolling in Railtown





Magic walls











Interesting manhole cover













Back in the neighbourhood spring seems to be coming closer

Then off to Stanley Park-at Lost Lagoon

now over towards Coal Harbour













Coming face to face with one of those huge trees

Stopping into visit the aquarium














And here's just one more spectacular view on a
perfect day looking toward downtown












 Finally on a beautiful day like that I had to chase a sunset...

Well that was January in Vancouver and area...

A New Year in Vancouver

When the days got shorter I decided to try to get out and walk earlier and catch sunrises.  As the days grew shorter these sunrises got later so that it was almost 8:00 often when I was starting out.  Often these walks took me up to Queen Elizabeth Park.  Although I only live about eight blocks from the park I really hadn't spent all that much time in the park so it has been interesting to see the changes through the seasons.   Anyway too many walks and not enough time to take you on them all so today I thought I would just look at New Year's Day.  I decided to start the day with a walk since for once New Year's Day was starting out with a lovely sunrise.

Here are a few of my favourite images from my walk.  It was so beautifully quiet on the first morning of the new year.  Just crossing into the park I could see the sun really coming into the sky.

A week earlier the ponds in the park had been icy and partly frozen but today the ducks weren't having any difficulty swimming around.

And of course on top of Queen Elizabeth Park you get a spectacular view of the city.

Looking east I tried to capture the colours of the sunrise-never easy.

At the top of Queen Elizabeth Park is a restaurant, Seasons, and there is an outdoor area to sit which is only accessible through the restaurant and I noticed the interesting affect of the reflections.  Don't you love the chandeliers.  This week's resolution is to go have lunch or coffee at Seasons and take a photo from the inside!  Unfortunately the restaurant isn't open when I do early morning walks or coffee may I note!












I kind of like this shot with the monkey puzzle tree!

There were quite a few low cost housing units adjacent to the park that were mainly taken down by a developer but nothing new has gone up for two years so temporarily we have another park.   There were rather ugly buildings but provided low cost housing of which there is not enough in this expensive city.

This time of year I always look for signs of Spring.  On my way home I found a camellia bush in bloom!

Since year 2000 friends and I have a tradition of going for a walk at Spanish Banks on New Year's Day regardless of the weather.  We thought that we were quite lucky this year as it wasn't raining nor really cold.  Here are a few photos of that walk.  This is a favourite little cove of mine

The combination of cloud, trees, mountains, ocean, and people enjoying the day make this a special place

There is a dog beach here and no one enjoys the beach more than dogs!  And I enjoy watching their antics!!!

I didn't see anyone playing volleyball!!!

After that we went and had a late lunch!  Happy 2014