MOVED ALONG TO OUR NEXT STOP.

We had a fun week with our RV friends and moved down to my cousin Neil and Carol's in Duncan.  The earliest ferry reservation I could get to depart from Duke Point, Nanaimo was September 21 and that was at 7:45 am.  Even that day and the next there were no available bookings until 7 pm.  So, we will go back to Charlie and Sheila's from here.  Our son and granddaughter are driving up from Victoria this morning to have a last visit before we head home.  The photos included this post were taken during our RV group week but are in no particular order. 

Lots of maple trees in the forest trails around the RV park.

I was walking quietly along a trail geocaching when I heard this Junco tsking (that's a quiet sound they make) and he posed for me.

As I was shooting the Junco I heard a sound behind me and it was this little squirrel.

Backlit lichen way up on a tree.

Rocks in the creek.  The green is from the sun shining on leafy trees across the creek.

Spider web trappings.

A maple leaf drifting on a pond.

One day four of us found this suspension bridge over Haslam Creek and with the help of ropes tied to trees, made our way down to the creek bed.  If you look carefully, the bridge is in the upper section of the photo. 

iNaturalist called this a Spotted Tussock Moth but I'm not certain of that.  Let me know if you know.

Looking up along the forest trail.

Fern shadows on the trail in front of me.

Twisty maples.

Rick, Geoff and Keith on the suspension bridge.

THE JEEP IS FIXED!

Well, it was fixed as of Friday and we hope it remains that way.  The local Jeep dealer here in Parksville was great to deal with and they got right at getting us fixed.  They contacted the Jeep warranty people and since we were actually broken, they put us to the front of the line for any parts that became available.   All but one of the parts were able to be ordered.

We didn't get to see all the family we had hoped to see this trip but there just wasn't time.  We did go visit Sharon Davis in Courtenay.  We missed seeing her at the big reunion last year as she was in hospital at the time.

We've been over two weeks here at Charlie and Sheila's and tomorrow we move down to Rondalyn Resort south of Nanaimo for six nights to meet up with our RV group of friends. 

Sunset the other night.

After the rain the other night.

Ferns growing in the moss on a maple tree.

We stopped at the Rosewell Creek rest area as I knew there would be some neat photos of the big maple trees.

More ferns on the maple tree.

Branch stubs on a fallen log illuminated by a ray of sunshine peeking through the tree canopy.  It only lasted a couple minutes.

NILE CREEK GAVE ME A WATERFALL FIX.

One of the things I enjoy about Vancouver Island is the numerous little creeks that have waterfalls.  Even in the dry season some can be counted on to deliver.

My brother in law had just mentioned how few people would get to enjoy this secluded spot when suddenly these two women popped into view.  This was a cell phone photo. 

SOME RECENT PHOTOS AND SOME THAT SLIPPED UNDER THE RADAR.

While we were at Cattle Point near Victoria last week Mt Baker was visible through the haze.

Cattle Point.

Cattle Point.

Otters at Cattle Point.

Otters at Cattle Point.

Mallards at Cattle Point.

Song Sparrow at Cattle Point.

Anna's Hummingbird at Qualicum Beach.

Female House Finch at Qualicum Beach.

Pileated Woodpecker at Errington.

Partial eclipse of the moon August 27, 2026. 

As the eclipse recedes you can see the arc of the earth's shadow.

A FEW RECENT PHOTOS.

I had taken Richard down to catch the Mill Bay ferry Saturday morning (well actually he drove) and while waiting for the ferry I watched some Turkey Vultures.  On my drive home, not far from the terminal, I spotted the Heron and got my photo through the passenger window which didn't disturb him or her.

On Sunday we got together with some of my siblings and our cousin Neil and his wife Carol for lunch.  It was a raucous good time!

On Monday I took the Jeep to the local dealer then on Tuesday they did a diagnosis on my 4x4 system and said, yup broken.  They are going to try and get it fixed for us but there is one part that is backordered with no estimated time of availability.  However, they have ordered all the rest of the parts.  So, we wait with bated breath.

Our electric awning decided to malfunction the other day so we were able to get a mobile RV tech come and fix it yesterday.  That was great since the awning was stuck in the out position making the motorhome undriveable.

Distant shot of a boat heading into the sunset.

Late evening light.  The reflection is the sun reflected off a house window.

Turkey Vultures at the sea shore.

Turkey Vulture.

Great Blue Heron.

Evening light at Qualicum Beach.

A peaceful evening paddle.

We spent our evening sitting at this peaceful beach.

A Spotted Towhee.  I think he must be moulting given his head looks like mine.