One of my favourite lakes to visit is beautiful Emerald Lake in BC's Yoho National Park. Recently, Parks Canada has closed the lake until at least March 2025 to other local lakes, after confirming BC's first ever case of Whirling Disease parasite found in fish. Harmless to humans but devastating impact on aquatic life. I want to create an awareness on some of the impacts that even unmotorized pleasure-crafts can impose on wildlife and their habitats.

If you’re patient, a quiet paddle on a lake can often reveal the serenity of nature’s beauty. This is a constant reminder of how precious our delicate landscape and its inhabitants are to the nurturing of our soul and for these two beautiful loon soul mates.

We share this world, its water, its rock, even the air and wind. To know this is the gift of wild places. But to witness this truth in such a moment is to experience the folds of time. An ancient reality overtook my paddle's quiet stroke that evening, touching me deeply - revealing the mysterious realm where the Great Blue Heron remains its fragile master.

As the sight and sound of approaching geese lifts my gaze, I am reminded of the honour and privilege it is to regard nature - and in this moment my spirit flies above the landscape that surround me.  A wondrous privilege and a moment to honour the beauty of A Canadian Morning!

A recent canoe experience in Killarney Park one late summer afternoon was one of breathtaking beauty. I lay my paddle across my lap and floated along quietly for some time. The mesmerizing shoreline, surrounded by great white quartzite cliffs and glistening reflections left me feeling in spirit, and of inner peace and calmness. This was my inspiration for this piece.

On a warm August morning hike along the water's edge, I found luck on my side. He caught my eye; I immediately stopped to admire this beautiful Great Blue Heron perched on a stump behind the granite rock, motionless with anticipation. My heart skipped a beat with excitement when he stretched his graceful neck and in a lightning speed strike caught a luckless fish! Seconds later he resumes his "morning watch" pose, and I beam at the sight of this marvellous creature!.

During an autumn morning hiking excursion, I found an opening on the trail. What luck to spot a Great Blue Heron quietly fishing in this perfect setting. I was intrigued by the smooth granite beach and the sun kissed golden tamaracks that made this tranquil shoreline a perfect scene for a Great Blue Heron!

This painting isn't about a blistery, rock cliff, but about urging the viewer to feel the excitement in sighting a Red Tail hawk soaring past, rising up through a familiar corridor. I like to think it might be anticipating an early spring and seeking companion in heading towards the treed horizon.

The nearby call of a Kingfisher compelled me to search, the rareness of such proximity exciting! I found him, perched on his favorite fishing spot, ready to swoop into flight. A King in his realm, discovered in a perfect scene of backlit autumn colours.