Red-winged Blackbirds workin' the cattails

I've often been asked why the cattails or bulrushes, so perfectly formed, become ragged looking by late winter. The answer lies in the activities of the red winged blackbird...need I say more?

Hummingbird Moth

One  warm evening last September, we were graced with the appearance of a Hummingbird Moth attracted by the night scents from the nectar in the Nicotinia flowers. This moth, family Sphingidae, subfamily Macroglossinae, commonly referred to as Hummingbird, Sphinx, or Hawk-Moths,and often mistaken for Hummingbirds, are typically observed in the early evening, as summer is waning, drawing nectar from numerous fragrant evening flowers.

Vernon Apartment Building Fire

Fire broke out at an apartment building near Vernon General Hospital around 5:00am on Friday morning. A challenging fire, which was fought at temperatures hovering around -17c.with a breeze. The major blaze drew resources from a number of Fire Departments in the North Okanagan, and took over eight hours to fight. Reports indicate all tenants were safely evacuated to the hospital cafeteria.

Komasket Kidzone Drumfun

Komasket Music Festival is a Family oriented festival, and the Kidzone stage is just one example, where Kidz participate and contribute over the weekend. It  all comes together on Sunday evening,  Highlighted by a glorious, colourful  procession to the arbour, with the kidz displaying their music, crafts and talents!!

The Wailers are Koming to Komasket Music Festival 2010!

Bob Marleys's  legendary band, The Wailers, Are Koming to Komasket Tribal Park this Summer, playing Saturday Night, July 31st at Komasket Music Festival 2010THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED REGGAE BAND

THE WAILERS

BRING THEIR SUMMER VIBES AND ONE LOVE TO THE

KOMASKET PARK - WESTSIDE ROAD

VERNON, CA-BC

SATURDAY, JULY 31

SHOWTIME - 9:30PM

LEGENDARY REGGAE BAND THE WAILERS

CONTRIBUTE EXCLUSIVE NEW TRACK

“A STEP FOR MANKIND” TO

“SOLUTIONS FOR DREAMERS: SEASON 3”

All proceeds benefit United Nations’ World Food Programme  
 

The greatest living exponents of reggae music THE WAILERS, will be continuing their US tour and are heading to the Komasket Park on Saturday, July 31. The band will perform on stage at 9:30 PM. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here.

Legendary reggae group The Wailers, are pleased to announce the inclusion of an exclusive new track, “A Step for Mankind,” recorded in Jamaica specifically for Oniric Records’ Solution for Dreamers: Season 3, and is set for release this summer. The Wailers have been supporting the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) efforts to eradicate hunger throughout the world, and they specifically focus on Ethiopia.

“A Step for Mankind,” written by singer-songwriter Duane Stephenson, is a call for world unity and strength to support the ongoing struggle against world hunger. Stephenson, a songwriter renowned for his portrayal of love, culture and spirituality, is recognized for many incredible reggae songs, most notably for his work on Jah Cure’s reggae anthem “True Reflections.” The band is joined on the track by new lead singer Koolant, a fresh talent from the heart of St. Thomas known for blazing a positive future for reggae music with his work, which has already spawned hits such as “Rat Race.” Graced by the Wailers’ singular groove, “A Step for Mankind” is a small taste of more music forthcoming from the Wailers, who recently entered the studio in Jamaica to begin work on an album of all-new material.  Duane will also be going out on the road performing on select dates with the band as well as helping spread the word about hunger in the world.

All proceeds will benefit the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide. A United Nations institution, the WFP is committed to getting food where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in 70 countries.

In honor of the WFP’s noble cause, Oniric Records created Solutions for Dreamers: Season 3. The label, founded in 2005, is an independent company dedicated to the promotion of artists who advocate social and environmental change through their music. The “Solutions for Dreamers” series was created to raise awareness and funds for non-profit partners of Oniric Records, such as environmental group Heal the Ocean.

Formed in Jamaica in the late 1960s, The Wailers have gone on to become the most successful reggae band of all time, selling 250 million albums, and playing live to an estimated 24 million people worldwide. The Wailers’ leader and musical director Aston “Familyman” Barrett, helped forge the template for reggae with his booming, thunderous bass patterns. But more than just a bass player, Family Man was also the right-hand man of former band leader Bob Marley. He also played a large part in arranging Marley’s songs and co-produced a number of the late icon’s albums. 

The band continues their relentless touring schedule bringing their message of peace and “one love” to their audiences worldwide.   

This year Familyman celebrates 40 years as a Wailer clearly embodying what Marley once said, “My music will go on forever. Maybe it’s a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever.” Get your reggae groove on and catch one of these dates and help support the Wailers in their efforts to eradicate world hunger. 

Wailers Tour Dates:
Friday, July 23                        Genova, Italy – Villa Serra Breakout Festival w/ The Skatalites
Saturday, July 24                   Simaxis, Italy – Campo Sportivo Comunale
Saturday, July 31                   Vernon, BC, Canada-Komasket Music Festival
Thursday, August 5                Hyeres, France – Festival de Toulon
Friday, August 6                     Beauly, Scotland – Belladrum Estate
Saturday, August 7                 Aveiro, France – Barro Beach
Sunday, August 8                   Odemira, Portugal – Festival TMN Sudoeste w/ David Guetta,Steel Pulse & more
Tuesday, August 10               Budapest, Hungary – Sziget Festival w/ The Aggrolites, The Skatalites, & more
Wednesday, August 11         Gijon, Spain – Gijon Festivities
Friday, August 13                  Chichester, UK – Vintage @ Goodwood
Saturday, August 14              Pontevedra, Spain – San Sebastian Festivities
Sunday, August 15                Aschaffenburg, Germany – Afrika Karibik Festival
Monday, August 16               San Sebastian, Spain – San Sebastian Festivities
Friday, August 20                  Ottery Saint Mary, England – Beautiful Days Festival
Saturday, August 21             Bedford, UK – Rhythm Festival w/ Donovan, & more
Saturday, August 28             Aspatria, England – Solfest
Sunday, August 29                Ubersee, Germany – Chiemsee Reggae Summer festival
Thursday, September 9        Bucharest, Romania – Sala Palatului

WARM UP FOR THE WAILERS

Komasket Music Festival 

hosts…

‘Warm Up For The Wailers’

Reggae Dance with 

The Mighty Mighty Coconuts

Wed June 30, 7pm at the Elks Hall  

in downtown

Vernon

Free for  Friends of Komasket 

Jamaican Dinner ($10/plate) Elks hall provides the bar

The Wailers are coming to Komasket!

...We are pleased to announce,  For the first time in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada – Bob Marley’s Band, The Wailers are coming to Headline the 9^th Annual Komasket Music Festival!!

CBC News - British Columbia - Central B.C. forest fire continues to grow

CBC News - British Columbia - Central B.C. forest fire continues to grow

Kal Lake - September 2009

An unusual  fall image of Kal Lake, looking north towards Rattlesnake (Turtle) Point. Unusual in that there are few vestiges of civilization in this image, with the exception of some wires in the foreground. The railroad tracks following the eastern shore are also visible, if you look closely. Beautiful waters, no boats on the lake, too!

Carol and Cacti gettin' down...

Carol is gettin' down to transplanting  cacti offsets and workin' up the barbecue in this early evening foto, taken in late May 2010

Mourning Doves

One of a pair of Mourning Doves that I captured while they were working the ground close to their nest one sunny morning earlier this spring. An interesting and  common bird throughout North America and the Caribbean.  The name Mourning Dove comes from thier sad-sounding coo, but don't let that fool you...More information on Mourning Doves and their interesting habits may be found here 

Starfish & Silver on Copperplate

Tiny starfish and  small silver cream cup, on copperplate.  1:1 macro image

Chiefty defending her eggs..

In these images taken last April 25th,2009, Chiefty the Cockatiel is exhibiting defensive nesting behaviour,  guarding her eggs. She's demonstrating nesting behaviour and laying another clutch of eggs at this moment, the same time as last year. Cockatiels are very intelligent, perceptive, observant, and personable birds that constantly surprise and teach you.

View from Vernon, July 22,2009

This smoky image of the Fintry fire was taken on July 22,2009, about five days after the fire began, from our rooftop patio at Sun Valley Mall, in downtown Vernon. Last year was quite hot and dry, but the water reserves were in far better shape. This year is quite different, the highland reserves are 50% below normal this year, and the backcountry is dangerously dry already. 

CRACK SHACK or MANSION?

Crack Shack or Mansion?  Go to this link, check out the Crack Shack or Mansion game and see if you can tell the difference between a crack shack and a Vancouver, BC mansion, listed for one or two million dollars. You'll get some interesting surprises, as well as an interesting insight into the Vancouver real estate situation! http://www.crackshackormansion.com/  The image is an old homestead cabin near Radium, not an example of Vancouver real estate.....or, maybe it is.....

Chiefty the Cockatiel and her eggs..

Chiefty  the cockatiel arranging the four eggs that she laid last spring....She's  busy and actively looking for a place to lay her eggs at this moment...Exhibiting defensive and protective behavoiur...

Golden Boy

Marmy, the Yellow-bellied marmot, here enjoying a sunny spring morning, lives in a rocky outcrop below one of the  many viewpoints on the old highway overlooking Kal Lake. His view leaves a bit to be desired though....