About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Sunday Evening Stroll - Boundary Bay

This evening I went for a walk at Boundary Bay Regional Park which is only about a five-minute drive from my home. Josie recently put a post up about her home in the city so I thought you all might like to see a bit of where I live - less than half an hour drive south of her. It was a perfect evening with a few wispy clouds, cool but certainly far from cold, no bugs, and just a touch of a breeze. I ran into several friends so had to stop and chat - like that's a problem for me! ;D
When I started out on my walk I couldn't believe how vibrant were the colours of the wild flowers. Lots of deep purple and bright yellow along with the green of the trees and grasses and the dark brown of the bulrushes.
I noticed a man walking along the back trail with his dog so thought I'd take that route, too. After winding my way through some trees and stopping to take a photo of the apples ripening on one wild apple tree, I came out on an area that's famous for bunny sighting. I saw a couple of them hopping across the trail and managed to catch one in a photo. I also took a picture of the brambly area where they tend to hide. A long cowboy-style fence winds its way along one side of the forested area, mostly to keep people from wandering into the areas where there might be marshes. I crossed the bridge that cuts right through the largest marshy area and couldn't believe the sea of bulrushes. I then came out onto the main path that follows the water's edge. All along here are places where one can stop, sit on a bench that has been placed there in memory of someone who's passed away, and enjoy the view. You can look east across the bay and see White Rock or north towards the city of Vancouver and see its skyline beneath the mountains of the Coast Range.
As I neared the end of my walk, I spotted families of ducks swimming in the canals. Finally, I saw three herons sitting in a huge tree and another on a log in the field. As I was taking a picture of the one sitting on a log, I realized that the whole field was full of herons.
I know Josie loves city living, but I prefer living out in the quiet of the 'burbs and visiting the city when I want some action. I love where I live and actually, Josie confided in me that she just might retire out here in a few years.
So, come along, take my hand and enjoy a virtual stroll around part of Boundary Bay Regional Park. Take in the sights and enjoy the view, but walk carefully and silently 'cuz you don't want to scare the bunnies and the birds.
Oh, and next month be sure to bring an empty bucket to pick enough blackberries for a pie!

13 comments:

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

AAAARGH! It's so beautiful that I am in pain wishing I was there.

Smalltown RN said...

Leslie...I had just finished reading Josie's post and then to come over to your post....gosh these are all places I rememeber and am so fond of...I love how you described everything....your photos are fabulous...I certainly love the one of the "cowboy fence" that one you should blow up and frame....wonderful post....

Nancy said...

You sure do live in a beautiful spot and the photos prove it! It is so much fun reading about other places and knowing that they are in a blogging friend's backyard. Lucky you!

Jo said...

Okay, Leslie, as soon as I have some spare time, I am coming out to your place, and we are GOING there. It is too beautiful for words....!

Leslie: said...

...but I did manage to find some words! ;D It's so nice there that I love to go in every season. Further down from there is the actual beach (Centennial Beach) where you'll find young(er) people playing volleyball and children on the wonderful play equipment. There are also tennis courts and a baseball diamond and field for soccer. Sometimes you'll see the more adventurous trying to windsurf and when the tide is out, you'll see all sorts of people looking for sea creatures in the tidal pools. Yes, I definitely will take you there!

jmb said...

Lovely photos Leslie, a beautiful area indeed. Thanks for sharing with us.
regards
jmb

Sienna said...

Leslie it is so lush and beautiful....and this is in summer!

Looks like a picture book fairytale, brooks and greenery and scurrying animals...that is a gorgeous walking path.

Pam

JR's Thumbprints said...

I certainly wish I could post some pics of where I live, unfortunately, I'm a little bit skittish due to the fact that most convicts get out one day. As for living style, I, too, much prefer open space as opposed to the confines of urban living.

Jo said...

By the way, I love your new blog. And I like the side bar. It looks fabulous!

someone else said...

What an amazing place to walk! The pictures are just beautiful.

Janice Thomson said...

What beautiful pictures Leslie and what a gorgeous place too. Love the herons and the bunny rabbit too. Speaking of which you can't imagine my shock when first in Victoria at the Hospital and seeing a rabbit bouncing along the corridors! Apparently that's not unusual as they are there by the dozens and have become quite a pest. The university too had dozens at any given time on the lawns when I took my art courses.

Anonymous said...

Leslie, how unfortunate it is, that I can barely see the photos which you took! No, I am not visually impaired. It's my so called PC that has decided to sensure anything that looks beautiful. This time, however, your wonderful writing painted the scenes in the manner that seeing the pictures was not necessary.

Leslie: said...

Janice - we have scads of bunnies all over the place, even in Richmond where you can see them along the sides of the roads. Where I see them they scurry into the brush quickly so it's sometimes hard to catch them in a photo. I was lucky.

Pekka - you're too kind about my description, although I have been trying to write with more description lately. I'm glad you appreciated it and were able to "picture" the place in your mind. Sorry you weren't able to see the photos clearly.