Men's Walking Group

Eight of us did about 9 Km today checking up on the status of Mill Springs.  Map and lots of GREAT photos below.  --  DeNNis.

We parked the cars on Deloume Rd just above Time Horton's and did a convoluted counter-clockwise loop from there around and through Mill Springs ending up with coffee at Tims.

A lot of the trails to and through Mill Springs are still in a very
natural state.

Some natures gardens.

Some narrow windy paths.

More of natures plant pots.

One of my favorite shaped tree trunks.

Some groomed pathways.

Danger signs along the
ravine area in various spots.

A few interesting shadow
patterns.

Some tree shapes make for framed shots.

More interesting shadow patterns.

Moving shadows.

What is this plant (weed)?

Looks like a dandelion -- my book says Aspargidium
(Microseris Borealis).

Someone is using this swampy looking water runoff area as a
spot to sit and contemplate.

Rest time.

A home for "Mason Bees".

A few Ups and Downs on  this walk.

More of those "shadow walkers".

Mill Springs gazebo and park area.

I think we are being monitored.

How can you tell it was a sunny day??

Bees are busy pollinating.

Large Monkey tree at top of
Deloume Rd.

COFFEE TIME!!

Jim Becker (hidden) joined us for coffee.

And a couple surprise visitors.

Men's Walking Group

Dennis is still away so this is the second string filling in.
We had 8 walkers and 9 members for the lunch today. I believe we covered about 8 km. walking the dikes in Duncan along the Cowichan River and then a loop back to Just Jake's for lunch and to our cars at the Pet Center mall.

The walk along the river and a loop back to Just Jake's and then to our cars.

Men's Walking Group

With Dennis away I will try to fill his shoes and get out to you where we walked and what we saw. Enjoy.

The plan was to park on Owl Rd. and explore the area behind the big fence and gate. Close inspection showed the fence had razor sharp wire coils and the gate could be bypassed but there was a big drop just past the gate. We got the message and did not walk there.
We found a new path through the woods and ended up on the Haul Road past the alpaca farm.

Here is a picture of our walk as recorded on my phone. I think we ended up with about 6 km.

Through the eerie woods we go.

We found signs of previous activities. Those scary ramps have not been used in years.

Almost through the forest.

Hey! We made it through. This is the familiar Haul Road.

Ah, what is this big black round thing?

A view down into the abandoned gravel pit.

A great find on an old garbage pile.

Not only that - a frying pan with some mystery concoction waiting for us. 

The Guardian of the alpaca farm.

Canada Day, July 1, 2019

Canada Day, July 1, 2019

YSAGS again this year was well represented at the Shawnigan Lake Canada Day Celebrations.
We had about 20 members walk in the Parade with Activity billboards. We also had a tent at the Elsie Miles grounds with a game for children to enjoy.

A very unique "fire engine" in the parade

Raising the Canadian Flag.

YSAGS members in the Parade.

Photography

Here are 2 images of one scene taken on June 22, 2019 in the morning in Campbell River at the end of Spit Road.

The first image is SOOC(straight out of he camera).
The 2nd image is the same image with some quick PE(post editing).
The editing as done in a free software program called FastStone Viewer.
It is a great program, easy to learn and with great results.

Here is a list of actions done in post editing.
1. Level the image - horizontal horizon.
2. Crop the image.
3. Minor adjustments to colours and increase colour saturation.
4. Sharpen the image slightly.

Coming Home (SOOC)

Coming Home (Post Editing)