Ogden Point Sundial

While I was at Ogden Point I checked out the sundial that is set into the sidewalk near the Ogden Point Cafe. Depending on the date, one stands in different locations and where one's shadow falls on the dial indicates the time. The photo above was taken at 12:06 pm. According to the instructions, one is supposed to add 19.6 minutes for August first. If one also adds 1 hour for daylight savings time then this dial is fairly accurate though there is considerable room for error due to poor posture or odd head/hat shapes....

Photogenic Victoria

Thinking about the difficulties of photographing Fort Rodd Hill (previous two days' posts) has made me realize that there are places in this city I return to often because they almost always yield good photos. Fisgard Lighthouse and Gonzales Hill are two places that come to mind immediately. Here is a third - the Ogden Point Breakwater, pictured above.

Into the mist....

This photo makes me think of death - it's like a visual metaphor of the unknown we all must face sooner or later. The photo was taken by my daughter, Fern Long, on the Ogden Point Breakwater earlier this year. I think it's a good one to end the old year on and to usher in the New Year.

Ogden Point

Another rainy, gray day today so here's a slightly archival photo from a few days ago. This is Ogden Point Breakwater. The large gray building is the cruise ship terminal. I have no idea what they do in there since most cruise passengers only get off to look around for a few hours and then get back on the ship. Oh well, another of life's little mysteries.

....

Here's a photo that was deleted to the trash because the colors were so washed out and I was shooting almost directly into the sun. But the image kept sneaking back into my mind so I retrieved it from the trash and put aside my obsessions with color and blue skies.

Radial Symmetry - Cyanea capillata

For the last week or so I've been hearing about big jellyfish washing up on the beaches so today I decided to look for some. Above is one floating near the Ogden Point Breakwater. I think it's dead because it was not moving at all. Several others nearby were moving but were not so photogenic. This is Cyanea capillata or Lion's Mane Jellyfish, the largest known species of jellyfish, with tentacles that have been measured up to 120 feet in length. The one above was about the size of a dinner plate, more typical of those found in warmer waters. Local experts say that this rise in sightings is not the result of global warming or ocean pollution but is a part of the natural four-year cycle of these animals.

Cruise Ships

What have these lovely ladies got to do with cruise ships? They are members of the City of Victoria Chorus who came out to celebrate the arrival of the 150th cruise ship in Victoria this year.Their splendid performance was only a part of the festivities organized by a group called Victoria AM that ensures that cruise ship visitors are warmly welcomed. Victoria AM is "a non profit society dedicated to enhancing and supporting Tourism in Greater Victoria." In addition to the chorus, there were other performances and a night market, pictured below. The entertainment was generally good but I cannot help but wonder why some of the talented performing artists from the Causeway Artists Society were not invited to participate. Their performances on the causeway are, after all, an important part of what makes Victoria an interesting and memorable stopover for cruise ship passengers.The cruise ship in the background above, the Star Princess, was only the 149th to arrive. The 150th, the MS Westerdam, is shown below shortly after docking, towering over an African drum and dance ensemble that performed as part of the welcoming ceremonies. I assume that the 150th ship was selected for this honor to mark also the 150th aniversary of British Columbia. However, there does not need to be any special reason to welcome these huge floating hotels. They are a major source of income for the city and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. They bring over 300,000 visitors to Victoria annually and every cruise ship that stops here leaves tens of thousands of dollars behind.

Why I Love Ogden Point Breakwater

All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely players:They have their exits and their entrances;And one man in his time plays many parts....

Ogden Point Breakwater

I like the city and its special events when crowds gather and enjoy together but there are also times when I get a little claustrophobic. That's when I enjoy this breakwater, only a few minutes from downtown Victoria, yet it offers space and peace and room to let oneself expand. Does your city have places like this?

...on the dock of the bay

...watchin' the tide roll away....