Saturday, September 23, 2017

Chiming In To Make Things Better


"Live for moments you can't put into words," chimed an ornament adjacent to a railway track at Crescent Beach.

The wise advice, meant to inspire, was likely put there by locals wanting to create a serene space for passersby.

The wind-chime decoration dangling from an ornate garden arbor was barely audible as tanks with chemicals and loaded coal cars groaned and hissed, snaking along the track.

The long chain of containers blocked vehicles and walkers from going in and out of the seaside community, a real concern should there be an emergency.

It might take years for activists to convince people in power to reroute the track but meanwhile a thoughtful neighbor with an artistic touch provided seating.

Hand painted panels brought a splash of colour to the chairs. In a world filled with tragic events someone, more often than not, is trying to prevent disaster, beautify, bring comfort and make things better practically or creatively.

Able to cross the track after some twenty minutes, I spotted a strange creature holding a guitar. What could be cozier than a giant moss-covered teddy bear? This unique interpretation of wildlife wasn't alone.

A beaver drummer and bird songstress (below) completed a patriotic Canadian band. Since there was no explanation as to why the soundless musicians were there, I assumed their motionless parade was designed to delight onlookers with wordless moments and, like the train, was just passing through.


Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

See OUR WORLD to explore sights from around the globe.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Yes, You Can Lead A Horse To Water

ANIMAL LOVERS know that best friends aren't always human. I spent countless hours imagining my own horse as a girl. This graceful creature with soulful eyes and long swishing tail was my perfect companion and confidant, galloping us off into great adventures. Since my opportunities to ride (let alone own) a horse were limited, I could only pretend, unlike the youngsters I recently spotted at Crescent Beach. Content at their slow pace, horses and riders were mirrored in pools of water and made inky shadows on the beach floor for SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY, WEEKEND REFLECTIONS and CAMERA CRITTERS.


Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Ball Of Fire

"If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm," Frank Lane

NORMALLY you wouldn't view the sun directly but last Tuesday morning the atmosphere bordered on apocalyptic so I had to look. The orb's glow was blunted by a smoky haze that settled eerily, yet again, over Greater Vancouver, resulting from persistent forest fires in the interior of BC and nearby Washington. Air quality was poor and pungent, although not as grungy as the camera made it seem in my first two photos. Before going indoors I captured the bubbling, boiling, true blood-plasma colours of the sun for SKYWATCH.


Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Along The Chickadee Loop Trail

NO CHICKADEES posed for my camera but I heard them chirping amid the late-summer greenery when I recently walked full-circle along a Sunnyside Acres trail in South Surrey.

Chickadee Loop is one of several paths in the urban forest, a haven from city traffic buzzing at the park's perimeters. Strange shapes sculpted by nature, mushrooms, berries, moss-covered branches and stumps are decor and much more for the insects and wildlife roaming in and beneath the canopy of trees. According to ever-circling seasons, the leaves should soon be turning red. I'm acutely aware, however, that any sense of predictability or security is largely an illusion, particularly after catastrophic events like the floods in Texas. The oceans are rising and climate patterns are changing, becoming more extreme. The vulnerabilities are real but my thoughts fly away from disaster when I hear the birds sing. You'll have to imagine them flitting in and out of the leaves, eluding my camera while a more earthbound creature, the banana slug, let me capture it and has crawled into OUR WORLD.


Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.

See OUR WORLD to explore sights from around the globe.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms