Volker's Photo Blog: September 2008

Blogging

Shortly after I came out to British Columbia in early 2006 I had a case of severely high blood pressure. It wouldn't have been fair to an employer for me to work for them until I got my health situation sorted out. I was on medications to lower the blood pressure and it took until early 2007 to find the cause. I finally went to a naturopath who found that a microscopic parasite was the cause for all this.

While getting my health in order, I took up blogging to share my photography. This way I wasn't wasting time and others got to enjoy the photos, not just me and those close to me.

In May of this year I had a mini-stroke cause again by severely high blood pressure. I may end up gong to the naturopath again since the specialist and other MDs can't seem to find the cause. This has only been a problem out here. Before that in Ontario, the blood pressure was only marginally high, not severely high like in BC.

Knowledge is good because being forewarned is forearmed!

All that said, enjoy this blog and all the photos I share with you.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Pollinators

I love bees of all sorts including bumblebees as seen above. They are so important to humanity but we often just take them for granted. Bees, and other flying insects such as butterflies for an example, help pollinate flowers on trees and plants of all kinds. What would we do without them? Probably starve! One reason alone to bring our environment back in order from the current mess its in. Something to think about!!! - Volker

Saturday, September 6, 2008

UBC Botanical Gardens - Moon Garden

Last Sunday I made a trip out to the UBC Botanical Gardens on the campus of the University of British Columbia, a visit I had long wanted to undertake. The Moon Garden had to be my favourite. The photo above shows the scene just inside the main gate to that garden and the tunnel to the moon garden proper. To follow are a number of photos that resulted from this trip.

Cardoons are related to the artichoke. The ribs are edible in the case of the cardoon and the flowers (unopened) in the case of artichokes. The cardoon flower above has visitors: bees!

Then there are fruit trees on half barrels or on tied up as espalier fruit, both good for small spaces.

As I have mentioned, the moon garden has to be my favourite at the UBC Botanical Gardens. The centre focal point is the garden plantings of fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. The the African garden outside this centre point is another favourite. Brad and I plan to visit later when the autumn colour is at its best. Oh, and can you imagine the scene in the moon garden on a full moon? Have a look at the gardens when you're up this way. Every season has something to offer. Have a great weekend! - Volker

Monday, September 1, 2008

UBC Botanical Gardens - introduction

Sunday I went to have a look at the UBC Botanical Gardens in Vancouver. All the gardens have their charm but the moon garden followed by the asian garden had to be my favourites. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite. The last one is of the entrance to the Moon Garden. More photos to follow tomorrow or later in the week as time is available. - Volker

Seaside trail on False Creek - Vancouver/BC

Saturday was an excellent day for a walk along the Seaside trail found on the south side of False Creek in Vancouver, British Columbia. These photos resulted and feature ScienceWorld, the Winter Olympic village under construction and lots of Granville Island.