RED AND BLUE!

 As in Red-tailed Hawk and Great Blue Heron.  Friday afternoon Aileen wanted to go for a drive to see the balsamroot that was still in peak bloom.  As I parked at the first nice meadow, Aileen spotted two hawks playing on the thermals so I quickly grabbed my camera and captured some images.  The heron played with us along the river that evening.

Red-tailed Hawk.

Red-tailed Hawk.

Red-tailed Hawk.

Red-tailed Hawk.

Red-tailed Hawk.

Woodland Stars.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron.

GETTING OUT MORE THESE DAYS.

I saw the physio on Thursday and he said my calf is coming along quite well.  He gave me several exercises to help it heal properly.  Apparently the swelling in my ankle and foot will be with me for a long while.  He said it takes time to reabsorb what causes the swelling.  We are having unsettled weather these days and end up walking in the rain at times.  There was no rain forecast today until 5 pm but Aileen got rained on just before she returned from her walk about 9 this morning and then a little after 11, we had thunder, rain and hail for nearly an hour.  We certainly need the precipitation.

Mule Deer doe on our walk the other evening.

Larkspur.

Osprey along the Okanagan River.

Lupine.

Balsamroot.

Balsamroot in the rain.

Balsamroot.

Canada Goose.

Canada Goose.

Penstemon across the river.

Larkspur up close.

The Antelope Brush is blooming and quite aromatic.  It's kind of sweet and musky.

OUT AMONG THE WILDFLOWERS UP IN THE HILLS.

Some of the wildflowers I saw when I went for a ride in the hills a few miles from home two days ago. 

Paintbrush.

Biscuitroot Fern-leaved Desert-parsley.

Biscuitroot Narrow-leaved Desert-parsley

Shooting Stars.

Rockcress.

Balsamroot is at its peak right now in this area.

Osoyoos Lake is in the distance.

Balsamroot.

Balsamroot.

Balsamroot.

Balsamroot.

BACK HOME AGAIN AND FIRST UTV RIDE THIS SPRING.

We came home Saturday.   After emptying the motorhome and dumping the tanks, we put it back in the storage lot until our next adventure.  My leg is improving and I'm doing more walking although I am using poles when I go any distance just for the added support.  We also drive part way to the river trail to keep the distance manageable.  I have a phone consult with my doctor tomorrow and then a visit to physio on Thursday.

I took the General out for a ride in the Burnell Lake area today.  I went by myself and while I didn't meet any other ATVers out there, the three lakes were all very busy.  Lots of fishermen and quite a number of campers of various sorts.  The balsamroot is prime right now and there are several other flowers looking good too.  I will post the flowers next time, probably.

While walking up the river trail Saturday evening we were surprised to see this chap just across the river from us.

I wondered if he was just out of bed contemplating heading off to work the night shift.

An osprey hanging on in the wind.

We were visited by this Townsend's Solitaire up near the dam on Saturday evening.

Turtles spotted on my ride today.

Male Downy Woodpecker on my ride today.

Male Downy Woodpecker on my ride today.

Osprey this evening as we were driving to the trail.

California Quail this evening as we were driving to the trail.

Great Blue Heron at the dam tonight.

WE TOOK THE MOTORHOME TO SALMON ARM FOR A FEW DAYS.

 Doing some business and visiting friends and family.  It's nice to catch up once in a while.  We went for a walk down at the wharf last night and I managed to take a few photos.  I had an ultrasound on my left leg Monday and it confirmed that I tore my calf muscle.  I have a phone consult with my doctor on Tuesday but I have already scheduled an appointment with physio for Thursday.

Osprey.

Gadwalls.

Northern Shoveler.

Northern Shoveler.

Green-winged Teal.

Green-winged Teal.

Green-winged Teal.

Salmon Arm wharf.

Salmon Arm wharf.

Salmon Arm wharf.