Tag: A Pictorial Post

“Birds” at The Raptors (Duncan)

The Raptors, located in the heart of the Cowichan Valley near the township of Duncan, offers compelling and interactive experiences with a variety of birds of prey species. Get closer than you ever imagined to eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and more during our daily flying demonstrations, hands-on encounters and conservation talks. 

At The Raptors, our birds soar the skies unfettered and return – not always when we expect them to! They live enriched, fulfilled lives as educational ambassadors for their species. Guided by our team of biologists and falconers, visitors will gain a profound appreciation and understanding for the vital role these intelligent and majestic predators play in maintaining our delicate ecosystems.

The Great Horned Owl

The Bald Eagle

The Harris Hawk

The Gyr Falcon

Bald Eagle in flight

Ivor the bird man

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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025

Butchart Gardens

An awesome day with my Canadian family (cousins) at the incredible Butchart Gardens.

My cousins, Reeny, Lynn, and Penny. The family photo, Maureen, Robin, Lynn, Ivor, Penny, and Dave

Barbara (our travelling companion from Wainwright), Maureen. Me with my tall cousins, Penny, and Lynn

My favourite blooms from the rose garden

The three Sturgeon’s fountain

The spectacular Sunken Garden

Totem poles in the garden

The Italian garden

The jade Japanese Garden

A giant redwood tree

This article is becoming long and “boring”

Leaving the gorgeous Butchart Gardens I walked past a ‘Turbo Snail’

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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025

Jasper and the Rocky Mountains

Leaving Jasper and then going for a scenic ride on Whistlers Skytram.

The Skytram

Driving through the Rocky Mountains

The picturesque scenery through the “Rocky’s” was spectacular

Then after 7 hours on the road, we the see the sunset at Salmon Arm, our overnight destination …

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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025

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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025

Wainwright, Alberta Prairie, without Frankie

Featured image Above: Frankie, looking happy and relaxed back at my brother’s house in Ballarat. Victoria. Australia,

Cousin Maureen and Ivor

The sun sets over Wainwright and Maureen’s doggies. Co-co and Z-z

The Wainwright township

Wainwright

The town clock tower and my sleeping quarters at Maureen’s

Walking the doggies at sunset

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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025

Sidney and Tanner’s Books

Today, cousin Lynn and I went to the lovely seaside town, Sidney

My cousin with the ‘Statue’ outside Tanner’s Books

The Sidney waterfront

Apartments overlooking the sea and the cafe on the pier

Statues at the waterfront, and me and Mungo

My purchases at Tanner’s Books

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Ivor Steven (c) August 2025

Creative Geelong Market Day, This Saturday, July 19th

It’s Market Day this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
* Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month.
* They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more.
* There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, HBT Collectables, and the May’d Shop. 

All at, Centrepoint Arcade
132 Little Malop St, Geelong
From 11 am to 3 pm

And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up”






Ivor Steven (c) July 2025


Hope


Hope, today, and the new plant in 2017.

Hope, Philodendron selloum (Balinese Dream), has been a member of my courtyard’s fernery area for 8 years, and as you can see, the plant has large, wavy-edged, elephant ear leaves. Today, the fern stands at five feet tall and is covering a large portion of the fernery, and it’s time for “Hope” to have a trim.





Ivor Steven (c) July 2025