Cliff Walk

It was an especially nice spring day today, so Gracie and I went on a celebratory walk. The cliffs of Gabriola are spectacular, and slightly scary.
A short scramble down a steep path,
and we are looking across to Nanaimo.
The rock is mostly sandstone. An early industry on the island was quarrying millstone - apparently our rock is perfect for grinding flour. I think the quarry closed in the 1950's but some of the huge cylindrical stones can still be seen. They are awesome too - I'll take pictures another day.
Looking up the face to arbutus, Douglas fir and Garry oak trees.
A native sedum has found a niche,
on a gnarly arbutus (madrona) trunk.
Gracie was exploring so enthusiastically I was worried, but she had the sense to stay away from the edge.
I think I am in love with mosses.

Gracie was in her element. Pure doggie joy in the moment.
A few wildflowers were found. Here is our native stonecrop, which looks like it's in bloom, but the flowers are actually naked broomrape, which is parasitic on the stone crop. I had never seen this before - my naturalist friend Gretchen says it is quite rare.
Indian paintbrush - seems too early for her, but there she is.
And I don't know found out what this dainty little flower is. Big-leaved sandwort! It was growing in an area that also had Blue-eyed Mary, the photo of which was sadly out of focus.
And then it was time to go home. Don't worry Gracie, we'll come back again soon!

Comments

  1. Looks like a wonderful day Heather! You've got some nice shots here. I can see why you love the one of Gracie backlit and there are others that work too. I gotta show you Lightroom! You will love what you can do with it...

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  2. Wow! Gorgeous pics, thanks so much for sharing them!

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  3. you live in such a beautiful place!

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