“Like the wattlebird, I dare to break the shell— to sing loud in the wind, to rise with the light.”
Ivor Steven (c) October 2025
Wondrous Wattlebirds
Tag: Nature
White Roof
White Roof
Travelling through the Rocky’s towers
I witnessed living proof
Of Nature’s palatial power
Her white-draped congregation stood
Silent beneath the glacial hood,
Bedazzled by the alpine’s might
Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
A Picnic at Saxe Point Park
My cousin Lynn, ask me, “would you like to go to museum, or go and have a picnic down by the ocean at Saxe Point Park” …
The lovely picnic area at the waterside park
The picturesque Saxe Point Park
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
The Ferry Back to Brentwood Bay and North Saanich
Late Monday morning. After visiting the incredible Kinsol Trestle, it was time to board the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay ferry, and then drive back to cousin Lynn’s place in North Saanich.
On the ferry from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay with Penny and Dave
Senanus Island and approaching Brentwood Bay.
After lunch at Lynn’s place in North Saanich, it was a fond farewell to Penny and Dave, who headed back to Duncan and Maple Bay (Mount Tzouhalen) …
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
Duncan’s Totem Trail (a Haiku)
The traditional towering totems of the Cowichan Tribe in Duncan
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Duncan’s Totem Trail
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Follow the footsteps
Around Duncan’s Totem trail
Cowichan stories
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
Above the Mist
Featured Image Above: A street art mural from the township of ‘Chemainus’ on the way to Nanaimo
Today’s poem below, is the one I gave to ‘Sandra’, my cousin Penny’s, sister-in-law, at our luncheon meet up in Nanaimo
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Above the Mist
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The train of peace and serenity
Has been sliding from futurity to eternity
But now, atop Mount Tzouhalen
Above the misty column of stardom
And above the world’s harbouring problems
I am in another home away from home
Within the Cowichan tribe’s honeycomb
Savouring nature’s harmonious thunderdme
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
“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
Throwback Friday, Within Us
I am entering the last five days of my journey to Canada and appropriately I have chosen “Within Us” as my Throwback Friday poem. This nostalgic piece also appears in my book “Tullawalla”, Chapter 6, page 98.
Remembering our 49th wedding anniversary, Carole
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Within Us
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The oceans wave us goodbye.
Sand and sea, one beach.
Like the surfs white crest.
Love is, within our lonely breasts.
The lands push us apart.
Alps and plains, one realm.
Like a rivers rocky cascade.
Love is, a turbulent escapade,
The sky opens us up.
Dawn and dusk, one sun.
Like the moons daytime eclipse.
Love is, a hidden apocalypse.
The universe covers us complete.
Stars and planets, one creation.
Like the distant Milky Way.
Love is, within us to stay.
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Ivor Steven (c) September 10th 2025
Aspiring to Spiral Higher
Today we drove to downtown Victoria
There were many inspiring spires
We had lunch at the Flying Otter Restaurant
Victoria’s Inner Harbour area
The shopping mall and my purchase at Russell Books
My photos of some fascinating street art murals
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Aspiring to Spiral Higher
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Higher than the hovering bees,
I am gazing beyond the towering trees.
Wondering:
Does all that sky ever feel at ease
Hanging above our polluted seas?
Wandering,
Through life on blended knees,
I am like yesterday’s mountain breeze-
Aspiring to spiral around the big freeze.
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 