Nikki’s Photography

Eight thirteen p.m. That’s the time it was when I last saw the Giant Sequoias, hopefully not for the last time. It was dark but there was still enough light left to take the last chance for one more photo.

Sky was the vivid blue that lasts only for a few moments before the last effects of sun disappear. It was the kind of blue where you check around and can’t distinguish any green from the next on the sillhouettes against it…so you’re sure it’s definitely dark… but wondering how could such a dark color be glowing so brightly? That blue is going to be the star, and have stars, in one of my next paintings.

I still haven’t posted photos taken on Vancouver Island during July, but here are some of them. Arbutus trees, first photo, only grow in the Pacific Northwest, particularly on Salt Spring Island, B.C. and in parts of China, nowhere else in the world. They are a popular carve-your-name-in-the-trunk tree because the bark heals into a soft clear scar. A few trees on the island have been abused like this. Still, they couldn’t take the beautiful away!

Groups of three and four Fluted Swallowtails spiraled in and out of the sunlight as I walked down the mountain road on Salt Spring Island. I tried very hard to photograph them dancing around like that - so pretty - but their flight pattern was too rapid and unpredictable. Got lots of blurs if you wanna see ‘em! Fortunately one settled on a fir tree.

For the next two weeks I’ll be stopping to photograph every interesting tree between here and the Giant Redwoods then back. I’m so thrilled to go see them. My pal Chris says Pray for Peace, and that’s what I think of every time I see the fourth photo here.

OK, so the subject of sunflowers grows weary and cliche for some, but the plant has so much character, especially when the flower heads droop with the weight of seeds. Sunset is spectacular tonight with their swaying sillhouettes against the sky.

I was just coming home from shopping so I missed capturing the double rainbow arching over our neighborhood after a short storm. Both ends were visible, and rare sights like that are so electrifying! I hurried home to get the camera, then still managed a few shots of the golden glow accentuating everything as the sunset.