Vignettes from Victoria I

It's spring break this week and we're in Victoria, British Columbia to visit daughter #1, who is a student at the University of Victoria. I'm taking plenty of photos, like I always do, and I will share them throughout the week.

Even though Victoria has one of the mildest climates in the Pacific Northwest, it, too, had a much harsher winter than usual. There are signs of spring, but people are saying that everything is three weeks behind. The difference between now now and our visit last year in the second week of April is quite dramatic. You'll see what I mean when you look at the photos below. And yet, Victoria is beautiful even when it's gray and rainy.

Plum tree leafing out every so slowly on the campus of the University of Victoria

Flowering currant (Ribes sp.)

Magnolia flower buds--they look like catkins, don't they?

Magnolia flower bud opening up

Waterfront, Sidney, BC

Planter along the Sidney waterfront

Hellebore along the Sidney waterfront

Euphorbia characias. It's a very popular landscaping plant.

Landscaping at a hotel on the Sidney waterfront

Yes, there are succulents in Victoria--in a florists shop

Trees in the backyard of our vacation rental

Down the street from where we're staying

House down the street--what a serene setting in the middle of a metropolitan area

Many houses in this part of lower Vancouver Island sit on top of or are surrounded by large granite outcroppings

Imagine having this in your front yard

Willows Beach in Oak Bay turned out to the perfect spot for strolling along the water

Looking towards Washington State in the U.S.

Sky and water

Tide pool on Willows Beach

Simple yet elegant front-yard landscaping with bamboo

This is the Tulip House I wrote about last April. The tulips are still small and will need a few more weeks. Notice the tall fence around the property. Deer clearly are a problem here.

Pieris japonica

Spring vignette photographed at Government House. This is where the British Royal Family stays when in town.

This is hellebore perfection! Does anybody know the cultivar?

Nothing says "spring" like daffodils

Hellebores and twisted Japanese maple

Siberian squill (Squilla siberica)--at least I think so. The range of flowering bulbs we see in Davis is severely limited.

Looking southwest towards the Strait of San Juan de Fuca

Heathers galore

Stunted Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) on top of Mount Douglas, the highest elevation in Greater Victoria

Where might these mystery stairs be leading?

To this view! This is looking northeast towards Sidney.

The top of Mt Douglas is mostly exposed rock and moss

...and lichen

More stunted Garry oaks...

...densely covered with lichen and draped with moss

Wherever I turned I saw things I wanted to photograph

Trail into the forest

 Stay tuned for more vignettes from Victoria to come!