Photography, Travel and Retirement
All photos taken on July 20, 2021 in Kamloops.
After a fitful night’s sleep, during which semi trucks seemed to be rolling through my head and applying Jake brakes, we “awoke”??? to another red sky day. We only hope we were driving onward into clearer air.
Was your area affected by forest fire smoke this summer?
Red Sky ©
Awaking early,
acrid fumes assault our nose.
Another red sky.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement. I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure. I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation. View more posts
Picture This
I got the smoke all the way in NYC! Had the worst air quality in like twenty years
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At one point Vancouver BC had the worst air quality on the planet and our area came close a couple of times, even though there was no fire near us. Significant rain is finally falling here today for the first time this summer. Hope it helps control the fires and put them out. Thanks for reading. Have a great week. Allan
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That is good to hear of the rain, the fires are so devastating! When we were in CA I could see how easily a fire could rip through, it was so dry. Have a great week too 🙂
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If it wasn’t for the damage caused by the fires, the landscape is quite unreal to see
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Absolutely. Like on another planet. Rain is coming down big time here right now, so hopefully the fires will be controlled. Thanks for reading. Allan
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No smoke down south. You guys must not rake your forests. That is what someone claimed was responsible for California fires. 😉
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Why, I was just out there the other day with a rake. Of course when I lifted it up to my shoulder, it was struck by lightning, which started a forest fire, that also burned my rake up. So I gave up. Yeah, #45 had it all figured out. But, then again, perhaps it was the Jewish space lasers??? Thanks for reading John. Allan
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It’s devastating to read about wildfires and communities destroyed by them and I can’t even imagine what it’s like to watch thick black smoke rising above forests and flames moving fast. I was just reading an article about how First Nations deliberately lit small deliberate fires during the spring, known as prescribed burns, that would prevent larger fires in the summer months. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 Aiva
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I can not imagine why anyone would think it was safe to build a community in the middle of a pine forest. That being said, many have no alternative as that is where the work is. As to prescribed burns, they are a good thing, but they too can get away on you, as happened in both Jasper and Banff Parks in recent years. In the good old days, before people got involved, regular fires would renew the forests. Sigh. Thanks for reading Aiva. Allan
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Such a shame about the forest fires but the sky looks a picture!
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Agreed. I guess we know what the writers mean when they say the sky was an angry red. Thanks for reading Marion. Lots of rain here today so hopefully some where the fires are as well. Stay well. Allan
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Luckily, we haven’t had much problems with smoke here, although last month we did see a bit of haze from the fires in Colorado. I do hope the fires are out soon! So devastating!
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Part of a natural process, but now man either gets in the way or causes some of them. Rain here right now seems to be giving some much needed relief Ann. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Now that reminds me of California last year! I really feel sorry for animals during the fire season 😦
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Agreed. Not only do they lose habitat, they might lose their lives. Hoping things settle down soon. Thanks for reading. Allan
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I read about what is happening to animals because of the wildfires. So depressing. I not only hope things settle down, but we finally do something about it. California is nowhere close to coming up with solutions, so now I say, “Canada, you can do better!”
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Beautiful red sky
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Thanks. Hoping that future red skies are not caused by wildfire smoke. Thanks for reading. Allan
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I hope that to
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As you know, we had lots in Penticton. There has been intermittent rain there in the last few days but they are going to need a lot more. At least it has cooled off some. Here is the north no smoke and there has been quite a bit of rain already.
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Yup. We got about 40 mm over the last 24 hours. Much needed rain for sure. Hope the farmers can get their meager crops off before winter. A high of +10 here today. Nice break. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
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Despite the smoke, it does make the sun (and your pictures) look quite lovely. We’ve had some forest fires in Northwestern Ontario and have had some hazy days. We’re heading up to Northern Ontario in a week and a half so we’ll see first hand whether it’s still smoky. I hope not. Fingers crossed we get some rain soon.
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We were so happy when we drove into clear air and we could breathe deeply again. We have just gone through a day of rain with about 40 mm, so things are looking quite fresh. Too bad for the farmers that it did come much sooner. Safe travels and clear air to you on your trip. Thanks for reading. Allan
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We have had a fair amount of smoke and lots of red sunsets. We didn’t need BC’s fires for the smoke though as we’ve had lots here in Saskatchewan.
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Agreed. In our case, the smoke was coming from B.C., Montana and from right next door, depending on which way the wind was blowing. I was just surprised there were not more fires in Alberta, as the drought this summer was brutal. Hopefully, the worst of the smoke has passed now. Thanks for reading Bernie. Allan
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Wildfires… Nature’s cleanup mechanism, I suppose.
“Red skies at night. Sailors delight.”
Red skies in the morning. Take warning?
Cool pics, though.
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Humans got in the way of Earth’s natural cycle when they built towns and cities in the middle of the pine forest. Nature will always get the upper hand on humanity. Thanks for reading Scott. Allan
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