Short Shorts

This jogger obviously has a better endurance level then the rest of us. Note his short shorts, quite a striking contrast against the whiteness of the surrounding snow.

Delta View

A sunny day warranted a stroll through City Park which presented a view of the Delta Hotel complex, an accumulation of condo apartment dwellings and the marina in the foreground.

Bubbling Brook

Surprise, surprise an unexpected skiff of snow overnight. On the positive side everything is bright and clean once again as depicted by this brook.

Late Spring

Traveling eastbound on Hwy #97 we catch a glimpse of the northern portion of West Kelowna in the foreground. Being a late spring for these parts, this lacks the greenery that we would normally begin to enjoy.

Waves

Although the temperature was moderate today, the day was overcast and the wind gusted churning the waves onto the shoreline.

Cloud Reflection

Couldn't help but take special note of the cloud formation in the foreground. Photo taken from one of our favorite walking trails.

Little White Mountain

Situated on the outskirts of Kelowna and barely 350 meters above Okanagan Lake rests Little White Mountain with an elevation of nearly 2,200 meters. It consists of approximately 20,000 hectares of diverse forest including growth of Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees at the lower elevation, a hotspring at the midsection and uniquely beautiful alpine meadows near the summit. Carved with deep walled canyons, cliffs and granite slopes Little White is a wilderness asset to be treasured with its habitat of grizzly bear, elk and mountain goat.

Geese

Unfortunately this winter has been one of the harsher ones for this area which caused the grass in the pastures to freeze and turn brown. Under normal winter conditions green grass would have prevailed once the snow melted. However life goes on and the ganders are out snacking away while the geese are nest sitting.

Reflection

Reflection of one of the many Condominium residences built on the shores of the Okanagan Lake.

Ravens

These ravens which are a crow family are always on the lookout for a free lunch. We found them here happily raiding the local trash containers obviously with worthwhile results.

Float Plane

This aircraft is one of the sighting seeing planes used by locals and tourists alike. They are conveniently stationed in front of residential Condominium complexes located on the shores of Okanagan Lake. This lifestyle is a popular option for many people as it can be relatively carefree.

Front View

This is the front side view of the condo construction submitted yesterday. As you can see the upper floors of this residential structure are facing the lake for a full panoramic view. No doubt such suites will hit the market at a figure in excess of a million or more dollars.

Construction

In spite of a slow down in the economy construction of a multi story condominium near downtown Kelowna is progressing on schedule. Note the hardy workers pouring cement on the top floor. At this time we have no idea of how high it will go, but obviously many of the uppers levels will have a panoramic view of the lake.

Bell Tower

Standing on the top side of Boucherie Mountain, the Bell Tower of the world class Mission Hill winery overlooks a tree nursery located below

Ducks

These ducks hang out within the city limits and are forever mooching from passers-by who feed them on a regular basis.

Picnic Shelter

As a rule we enjoy long Okanagan summers filled with lots of heat and sunshine. As such picnic tables are erected near trees or as in this case under covered shelters. This shelter which is in an open area is located next to a sandy beach and a marina and is among some of the most popular ones.

Feb. Stroll

We were delighted to find that the snow had melted off of our favorite walking trail which wraps itself along the lakefront. It is a very popular spot for locals and visitors alike and also extends many miles beyond for the hardiest of hikers.

snow Fun

Solid ice is not usually the norm in most areas of the Okanagan however this year was quite unusual. This family took advantage of the ice formation on the edge of the lake to spend a joyful period of time kicking snow balls to one another as if they were playing the real ice hockey.

Ex Loading Dock

This is a photo of the former loading dock where fruit from our abundant orchards was loaded onto barges for transport to fruit warehouses This structure is now being used as a recreational diving board.

Sunshine

Looking out today we see that the sun is shining, the snow is quickly disappearing and a boat is skimming over the lake obviously enjoying the first spin of many more such days to come.

Fruit Market

Paynter's Fruit Market located in West Kelowna is a locally owned and operated fruit and vegetable market. This operation is stocked with fruit and vegetables picked from their own orchards as well as that of others locally located. A bustling place throughout the summer, owners, operators and employees are presently enjoying a well deserved sabbatical.

SIGNS

Travelling eastbound towards Kelowna drivers are welcomed by a barrage of signs ranging in various sizes and shapes.This has been the subject of much ongoing controversy. Adding insult to injury a radio station recently went so far as to put one up in a neon flashing mode which is even more distracting to drivers. Due to aggressive public uproar this shall be dismantled within the next couple of days.

Waiting For Spring

Owners of parked yachts, cruisers and boats patiently and anxiously waiting for Spring!

Coyote Monument

Approximately 5,300 acres of land located on both sides of the Okanagan Lake are owned by the Westband First Nation band. This unit is comprised of approximately 650 resident band members who share their lands with non-member residents. Being an integral part of our society, a Coyote monument has been erected near the base of the west end of the 5 lane replacement William Bennett floating bridge which spans across the Okanagan Lake.

A sizeable time clock guards over the heart of downtown Kelowna . Although appearing somewhat forlorn this time of year it displays very majestically during the summer months within a cascading water fall amidst of a colorful floral display.

Constable Neil Bruce Middle School

On April 10, 1965, Constable Neil Bruce age 26 and a four year member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police responded to the aid of a 16 year old girl who was being repeatedly sexually assaulted and held hostage in a cabin in the Westbank area of British Columbia. After trying to reason with the suspect to release the girl, the police officer approached the cabin unarmed as a gesture of good faith. He was struck in the chest by a .22 caliber bullet fired by the suspect. The police officer succumbed to his injuries on April 14, 1965, leaving behind a wife and two children. The girl managed to escape though she was shot twice by the same gun she fled.

The suspect shot himself on April 20, 1965 after been tracked down and surrounded by police.

The constable's name was immortalized on June 20, 2000 when the Cst. Neil Bruce Middle School was opened in Westbank, B.C. ensuring that thousands of students who pass through the schools doors would be reminded of the legend of this fallen hero.

The Cst. Neil Bruce Middle is the only school in North America to be named after a police officer.