Springtime in Kamloops, BC

The Easter Bunny has come and gone today and with the sun shining so nicely, we decided to go for a drive to capture some spring shots of Kamloops.  It didn’t take long and that cloud moved in and stole the sunshine!  Not to be discouraged by this, as none of the subjects were, I took the photos anyway.

Baseball tournament

Kamloops is the Tournament Capital of Canada and McArthur Park is a great sport location that has several fields for many different kinds of sports.  Today is a sure sign of spring when there are some baseball tournaments going on at the park.  The parking lot is full at the Stadium for that game and there are several filled chairs lining the road to watch this one.

McArthur Island Slough

McArthur Park is an island surrounded by the McArthur Park Slough and is the home of so many waterfowl.  At this time of year, when the water level is low, the slough has limited water and in places it has none.  This does not seem to matter to the ducks as they are congregated close to the footbridge where there is some water enjoying the quiet times.

Boat launch at the slough

This is the Thompson River’s mouth of the slough which houses the boat launch, a very busy place in the summer but at this point in time, getting ready for goslings and ducks to hatch as they did at this time last year.  They may be waiting for this wet chillier weather to leave before the babies arrive, Mother Nature’s good planning!

Quiet view of Kamloops

This view offers very little movement at this time of year.  Other than movement in the river as it slowly rises from the rain and snow melts, there are a couple of dogs on the river’s bank retrieving from the river, doing one thing that so many dogs love to do and enjoying themselves, no matter what the weather is.

Bench awaits a visitor

The new growth has just begun to spring out on the trees that line the river.  Very few blossoms have been seen yet but as they say, “April showers brings May flowers” so we’ll just have to wait a bit more time to see the blossoms appear on other trees.   This lonely bench will have more visitors soon.

A fallen tree

This tree once stood on the bank but likely due to high waters, the edge gave away and the tree fell, but with it took the roots, allowing it to stay alive.  These new leaves can attest to that.  Time will tell if it can continue to survive but so far, so good.

Curious Marmot

Look who I found!  As I’d walked above the river’s edge, I’d been looking for any sign of marmots as they live in their tunnel homes along the banks at the park.  I’d seen nothing and as much as I didn’t expect much, I was sure they didn’t relocate during the winter.  Then this one pops his head out and sits right in front of his home!  We had a nice little chat, his part silent but I'm sure I ‘heard’ his thoughts!

Hungry marmot

I noticed several carrots scraps that someone had fed them, and tossed them toward him trying not to scare him away.  Each one would come close but bounce away, and he was watching it all with interest.  I finally decided I would have to get closer in order to reach the carrot he seemed to have his eye on and once I got that close, he dove back into his home.  I gave it a toss and it hit the opening and rolled down!  Bet he was happy to have dinner delivered!

McDonald Park

This is MacDonald Park, a smaller neighborhood park on the North shore with lots of playground entertainment for the young ones.  There are several here visiting in spite of the weather and by the sounds we hear, they are enjoying themselves.  We took our Maggie for a walk and she was happily greeted by Oscar, a very friendly young dog looking to make her acquaintance.  Of course, Maggie doesn’t consider herself a dog so one sniff was enough! lol

Happy Easter to all!

Autumn Colors ~ Deer ~ McArthur Park ~ Kamloops, BC

Another sunny autumn day suggests another walk through the park.  I cannot go without my camera, even though we did this a week ago, there may be something different in McArthur Park.

Mt.Paul and Mt.Peter

It is amazing what a difference one week can make during this season of changing colors.  We have visited this park several times during other autumn seasons but I have never seen the colors quite like this.  The McArthur Park Slough with Mt. Paul and Peter in the background is a beautiful sight today.

McArthur Park greeters

We met some park greeters!  These ducks headed straight towards us as we crossed the footbridge over the slough, fully expecting us to have some treats for them.  We did not so they soon went on their way.  The little tree hugger was pretty curious but soon knew we had nothing for him, either.

Autumn colors

We followed the footpath that loops around the McArthur Island Golf Course and enjoyed the colors of the leaves of the trees on the golf course.  There were several different colors which aren’t part of the indigenous tree colors.

Grazing deer

Lush green grass, beautiful colors and no golfers.  What we do see are several deer, including a deer family enjoying that lush green grass!  This is exactly why I could never leave my camera behind.  One just never knows what they may see.

Deer playtime

Two deer were playing up under the big tree.  It is difficult to see the antlers through the tree branches but we were able to see them on one of the deer when they separated.  This wrestle only lasted a moment, time for three quick photos and they were back to grazing.

Beautiful deer buck

This buck was oblivious to the playing going on and stayed closer to the doe and the young one.  We moved to another opening through the fence and using my other lens, I was able to take photos that looked like we were right up close, but we were far enough away, they didn’t even notice.

Deer family

We saw six deer altogether on the course, two of them are just over the crest of the hill taking a rest and their heads are barely seen from here.  There may have been others, this seems to be a permanent home to them as we’ve seen some on golfing visits, too.

Colors of McArthur Park Golf Course

More trees, more autumn colors to enjoy but no deer in sight as we near the end of the path that encircles the golf course.  We do see some golfers that will soon be surprised to see what is ahead of them.

Kamloops across the Thompson River

The golf course is a great example of a local park for all to enjoy, even if you are not a golfer, but more so if you are.  The quiet walk in the park includes a pretty view of the Thompson River and the city of Kamloops in the distance.

Other than the deer, ducks and squirrels we saw here today, there are other residents to enjoy. Canada Geese find the park a perfect winter home and are often seen and heard flying overhead.  These large geese appear to avoid the golf course but spend most of their time in other parts of the park and add quite a lot of high quality phosphate to the grounds!

Canada Geese ~ McArthur Park ~ Kamloops, BC

We were driving through McArthur Park on a cold but sunny winter day when I spotted a flock of Canada Geese all having their afternoon rest in the waning sunshine.  We drove past so as not to disturb them then pulled over so I could get photos of the resting flock.

Canada Geese enjoying the sunshine

I quietly stepped down the grassy slope to begin taking photos when a few of them jumped up and started walking but what surprised me was that they were coming over my way.

They think I have food!

It wasn’t long and there were several following and before I knew it, they were all on their way.   I am quietly telling them I have no goodies for them but that didn’t seem to matter, they kept coming.

Getting closer

I stayed in place and they came within just a few feet of me as I continued talking to them.  They were pretty curious but at least they didn’t come right up to me, I would have been backing away if that had happened but they showed no aggression, so I stood my ground.

Settled in to find food in grass

They arrived, checked me out then all sat down, picking at the grass, I suspect, hoping they were going to find that I really did bring something for them to eat!  I admit that I did feel badly that they were looking for food and I had none, but I don’t think feeding them is the right thing to do although it appears other must, for them to come running as they did.

No food but more resting

The Canada Geese was near extinction in the 1950’s but there was a small flock discovered in Minnesota in 1962.  From this flock, a good production and restoration program began and by the end of 1981, more than 6,000 had been released at 83 sites in North Dakota.    The population in 2000 was said to be between 4 and 5 million in North America.

Canada Geese on McArthur Park Soccer Fields

The growing population of Canada Geese does create some problems for us, especially that they don’t all migrate further south anymore.  Some do but we seem to have plenty at all our parks and golf courses over the winter time as well as during the warmer seasons.

Thompson River at sunset

They were once protected from being hunted but the laws changed in June 2011 and that is no longer the case so that it is legal to hunt the Canada Geese, within hunting regulations, of course.  I am not an advocate of hunting and shooting any birds or animals but can understand the growing population is causing a serious problem in many places.  Culling is done in parts of the United States.

Ice flows in the Thompson River

The sun had slid down behind the hills but gave some final reflections on the river as the ice chunks flowed by.  So although I would rather all those Canada Geese were not leaving their mess in our park, I sure can understand why they would stay.  Winter or not, we offer such a beautiful location, how could they say ‘no’?

We love Kamloops, there is just no place like home!

McArthur Island Park ~ Autumn ~ Kamloops, BC

The frost was definitely on the pumpkin this morning but with that came the crisp autumn air and bright sunshine in a beautiful blue sky!  What a perfect morning for a walk and photos, can't leave home without my camera.  So we headed down to McArthur Island Park, a great place to do some walking and enjoy Mother Nature's autumn treasures.

The Great Blue Heron stands quietly at the waters' edge

On this fall morning, there is not much activity in the park like there is in the summer months, but there are plenty of our feathered friends there on our visit today. We saw some ducks down by the boat launch with one lonely great blue heron sharing the water.

A lone runner on McArthur Island path

There is a 3.1km paved walkway around the perimeter of the park and we followed that with many stops and diversions.  We passed a lone runner and several walkers who find this a great place for their morning exercise routine. Summertime there are a lot more walkers and lots of roller bladers enjoying the park walkway, too.

The gulls on the Thompson River

The gulls congregate along the edges of the sandy beach, barely visible here.  The morning sun casts some great shadows and shapes on the hillside on the south side of the Thompson River.  The clear blue sky and hills are reflected in the water, which doesn't appear to be moving too quickly until we watched a duck floating in the middle of the river at a pretty fast pace.

The last of the  cottonwood leaves

The last of the leaves are still hanging onto a few of the cottonwoods and brighten up from the sunshine on this gorgeous morning. This view is across the Thompson River to the sandbar that isn't visible in the early springtime when the river is high. This location offers beaches when the river is at its' summer levels but not as much as it shows now.

Canada Geese on the soccer field at McArthur Island Park

There was a time that Canada Geese were expected to fly south for the winter but it seems that in recent years, some have decided that Kamloops is far enough south and many of them stay here for the winter.  There is no one using any of the soccer fields at this time of year so I guess the geese feel they can.  I do believe some of them will decide to leave once winter gets in full swing... or will they?

McArthur Island Park pathway

The path is visible from the parking areas for most of the perimeter of the park but there is a portion that is behind the McArthur Island golf course and today we are out on a nature walk away from the bustle of the city.  The park has much to offer including the Gregson Butterfly Garden and a xeriscape garden at other locations in the park.  More info on them by clicking on their names.

Squirrel stands to get a better view

The squirrels are busy collecting their winter food supply and seem to think that we may have something for them.  They may find treats from the many people who do use the park whether it is for golf, soccer, football or baseball, there are thousands of people who frequent this beautiful park every year.

Squirrel hoping for some treats

These little guys are quite brave and one came within an arms length from me while I was taking some pictures, he didn't appear to fear me being so close. This photo was taken at the seating area near the footbridge over the Slough where there is usually much going on for us and the little critters in the area.

McArthur Park has much to offer with the Sports and Events Centre for year round use and the McArthur Island Youth Centre for youth activities and is home for the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops. The Kamloops Skatepark is a great place for the kids and their skateboards which sees lots of activity during the summer months. The Norbrock Stadium and the Lawn Bowling are quiet at this time of year but offer lots during the summer months, too. We are very fortunate to have such a great center for all to use and enjoy... and so are the Canada Geese.

The Gregson Butterfly Garden ~ McArthur Island ~ Kamloops, BC, Canada

We recently visited the Gregson Butterfly Garden in McArthur Park and found it to be bright with color after a short summer rain. There are benches set among the flower beds that you can sit and enjoy the sights from as you relax among the butterflies.

The Gregson Butterfly Garden

This sign leads you to the pathway that meanders through the Butterfly Garden. With August here we are seeing more of the autumn colors coming into full bloom and many show their sunshine yellow.

 

Flowers of Butterfly Garden

There is a large variety of flowers in this Butterfly Garden, all of which are known to attract the butterflies with their color and aroma.  Our visit did follow a shower so we didn't see any butterflies.  Butterflies hide when it rains. They usually go to the same places they do for the night. Some butterflies hide under large leaves, some crawl down into dense leaves or under rocks, and some just sit head down on grass stems or bushes with wings held tightly.

 

Rainbow after the showers

This rainbow was the making a complete arch over McArthur Island and made a nice frame for the flowers in Butterfly Garden.

The Duck family

The Gregson Butterfly Garden is part of the McArthur Island Lagoon Enhancement Project. The lagoon is home to many ducks and other water families that you might see swimming and enjoying their country home in the city.

 

Lagoon of McArthur Island

If you could see between the branches of these large trees that line the lagoon, you may even see the visiting Great Blue Heron we spotted on this visit. He must have been looking for the flock that was at Tranquille Wildlide Management Area, clik here to see more.

Dedication Plaque to Mr. Jack Gregson

The Butterfly Garden is a reality due to the visions of Jack and Barbara Gregson and we and the butterflies can thank them every time we drive by or visit this small but beautiful garden.  Take time to enjoy this garden on your next visit to McArthur Island.