Victoria, BC - Part 1

19 June, 2026 

     We were picked up a little after 05h:00 and left for Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. It was a trouble-free journey all the way and traffic was moderate. We settled in for the long wait for our Porter Airlines nonstop flight to Victoria.

     As seems to happen so often these days, there was a call for volunteers to fly later since the flight was overbooked.  The amount of the travel voucher offered as compensation climbed and volunteers came forward until no more were needed.

     We were a little late taking off, but most of the time was made up and Jan, Miriam's sister, met us at Victoria International Airport. 

     It was good to be back in British Columbia!

     Jan had packed a picnic lunch and drove us to a delightful spot, where a quaint church and a pet cemetery exist, and we ate in a lovely setting under bright sunshine.

     There was a fitting dedication to St. Francis of Assisi, that early champion of animal rights.

     Lawn Daisies (Bellis perennis) were delightful.

     Buttercups (genus Ranunculus) matched our sunny mood.

     It was here that we saw our first Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) of the trip; always a special sighting for us.

     Bees (epifamily Anthophila) were busy in the Brambles (genus Rubus).

     Many of these western forms are unfamiliar to me, so I am unable to identify the species.

     This old bench is no longer used for its original purpose but it seemed perfect to me, clad in its gown of lichens.

     This attractive yellow flower is found in the Oxtongues, Hawkbits and Allies (subtribe Hypochaeridinae).

     After a pleasant half hour or so wandering around the tombstones, we left for Island View Beach Regional Park.

     It's difficult to read on the above picture of the sign (impossible?), but the various peaks visible from the shore are identified. 

     Here is what we saw, with a snowy-capped Mount Baker off in the distance in the State of Washington.

     I always enjoy visiting this location where the beach is delightfully cluttered with the detritus of the ocean, with driftwood and seaweed aplenty, and never a dune buggy or the like.

     A Northwestern Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos caurinus) found a convenient perch.

     If a single flower has universal appeal around the world and across cultures it is probably the Rose (genus Rosa), wild or domesticated, pure or one of the myriad hybrid forms engineered by humans.

     A Western Honey Bee (Bombus occidentalis) delved deep for nectar.

     I was thrilled to see many American Sand Wasps (Bembix americana) going about their business.

     Yellow Sand Verbena (Abronia latifolia), sometimes known as Coastal Sand Verbena, is a salt-water dependent endangered plant, so it was very satisfying to see it doing well at Island View Beach.

     Several Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) worked the shallows, but given the distance and the intense light, were not amenable to good pictures.

     Miriam and Jan resemble each other more with each passing year; in fact all the Bauman sisters do. Even making allowances for my bias, you will agree I am sure that they are a lovely couple.

     Searockets (genus Cakile) dotted the beach.

     In places, stands of Ragweeds (genus Ambrosia) were quite dense.

     Ragweed is the bane of allergy sufferers and, sad to say, a Harvard study found that ragweed grows 10% taller and produces 60% more pollen as the temperature warms.

     Long-horned Bees (genus Mellissodes) were active.

     The above picture clearly shows how they come by the designation "Long-horned."

     Beewolves (genus Philanthus), also known as bee-hunters or bee-killer wasps, are solitary predatory wasps that prey on bees. They pack a powerful sting.

     This individual, on Yarrow (genus Achillea) is probably P. crabroniformis, a species that likes to nest in packed sand, of which there is an abundance at Island View Beach Regional Park. 

     A female House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) found a perch much to her liking.

     Coastal Barley (genus Hordeum) is exceptionally attractive to my eye.

     We left to go into Victoria, to the enchanted enclave of Oak Bay where Jan lives - our home until the end of the month.

     Jan prepared a fine dinner of quiche, green beans and a Greek salad, with a crisp, dry white wine, followed by fresh strawberries we had picked up en route, served with ice cream. It was all delicious.

     We turned in at 21h:00 (midnight for us), happy to be in Victoria again, with the promise of many adventures ahead of us.

Book Review - Tyranny For You: Spot the Warning Signs, Decode the Lies, Stop Authoritarians Before It's Too Late

 "Democracy is fragile. It can die in a day."

Steven Lvitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

     These are disquieting times. Rightwing populism in its various guises is on the ascendancy throughout the world and, as has been the trend throughout history, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, people are easily beguiled by its seductive simplicity, its promise of earthly heaven under the benign guidance of one enlightened leader. 

Buyer's remorse comes later! 

     Poor Richard, that erstwhile enlightened thinker, has emerged to produce this truly excellent book, alerting us to the signs, trends, dangers and consequences of authoritarianism. For those who might not be familiar with Poor Richard, he was a character created by Benjamin Franklin, used to great advantage to reach the popular audience of the day.  No less a goal is the raison d'être of this book. In the interests of full disclosure let me state up front that I know the author of this work, a dedicated social democrat and a fierce defender of democracy and a free, pluralistic society.

     In North America, we have particular reason to pay close attention to the potential ascendancy of tyranny, for it is present on our doorstep. Fascism has a foothold in the United States and we have no reason for complacency in Canada. All the hallmarks of autocracy are as clear as the words you are reading on this page. Rewriting history to eliminate what doesn't align with your message is always a good start.

     There is no shortage of role models for the would-be dictator. History is replete with charismatic figures professing the salvation of their country and its people, morphing into ruthless tyrants bent on their own aggrandizement, and megalomaniacal control of every aspect of life. Think only of Stalin, Hitler, Franco, Mussolini, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin Dada - add your own names to the list.

     The tyrant always has a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong. No blame for anything bad is ever acknowledged and there is never a shortage of groups to be targeted; if none are right at hand, create one.

     Of course, Jews and people of colour never go away, and can be blamed for anything and everything ad infinitum.

     Institutions that do not tow the line are to be savaged and dismantled if necessary.

     A free press, political satirists and comedians are especially reviled and should be dealt with harshly.

     Is this all starting to sound familiar?

     The means of repression are chilling and numerous. Your neighbours disappear in the night; Argentine wives and mothers are still seeking information on the desaparecidos of the brutal régime that terrorized that country. Barbarism becomes the norm.

     Expertise is not required for appointment to the highest levels of government. Slavish, sycophantic loyalty is the only requirement.

      Is it sounding even more familiar?

      Democracy is messy and disorganized by its very nature - but it works. Political opponents are not enemies and compromise is not a dirty word. Honest, open dialogue gets things done, not always quickly or cleanly, but always to the benefit of society and not for personal gain. A free press is recognized as a cornerstone of an open society, to be cherished, supported and vigorously defended, even if you don't like what they print sometimes.

      The lure of autocracy never goes away and a gullible public always seems ready to embrace the idea of one charismatic figure able to solve their problems. But it always turns sour and societal gain is erased for years to come.

      This book is written with the voter in mind. It is clear, concise and to the point. There is great merit to lengthy tomes, polemics and academic dissertations, but few are going to read them. Here, set out for you, is the blueprint for tyranny, the ways to spot the warning signs, the means to exit before the lights are flashing red and the sirens blaring. In the computer age, with artificial intelligence looming large on our knowledge base, with conspiracy theories at every turn, an authoritative, fact-based work is especially critical.

     It is very modestly priced (around $15.00) and I brook no accusation of hyperbole when I contend that every citizen should read this work thoroughly and critically before casting a vote in the next election. 

     The future is up to you.

Tyranny For You: Spot the Warning Signs, Decode the Lies, Stop Authoritarians Before It's Too Late 

Poor Richard

Independently published - ISBN: 979-8268357929

178 pages - 6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)

Publishing date: 04 October, 2025

Mike Schout Wetlands Preserve, New Hamburg, ON

06 June, 2026 

     It's always a great pleasure to visit this location, a generous gift of both land and capital from a civic-minded donor.

     Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), as is to be expected at this time of year, was prolific.

     The blooms were rich in pollen and nectar and attracted a variety of insect pollinators.

         Spittle Bugs (superfamily Cercopoidea) left evidence of their presence.

     A male Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) was singing joyfully from atop Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum).

     Teasel was originally introduced to North America to attach to spindles to card wool, but has become an important winter food source for finches.

     Buttercups (genus Ranunculus) were coming up everywhere.

     Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) was equallly ubiquitous.

Box Elder (Acer negundo)

     An Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) had discovered the perfect spot to catch insects, for it returned to the same perch after every capture.

     Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) has gained a tenuous hold.

     When the wetland was first created, a sandy/gravelly area was set aside as turtle nesting habitat. 

     It has been invaded by grasses and weedy plants and is in sore need of maintenance to continue to be suitable for egg-laying turtles.

     How wonderfully green are these Arrowheads (genus Sagittaria).

     I suspect that this American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is finding lots of invertebrate prey in the muck.

     A Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) no doubt finds the wetland a perfect home.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are devoted parents, but nevertheless lose many of their young to predators. 

     Two rapidly growing youngsters remain from this brood. The bigger they become the less they are subject  to attack.

     If my memory serves me well this was our first Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas) of the season.

     Guelder-Rose (Viburnum opulus) seems to be having a good year.

     Keen kayakers were happy to exploit a fine summer's day on the Nith River.

     Anyone who has been entranced by the surreal beauty of waterlilies has no need to ponder why Claude Monet was so drawn to them.

     These American White Waterlilies (Nymphaea odorata) filled us with wonder and delight.

      Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) have claimed this wetland as their own.

     We did not see as many dragonflies and damselflies as we thought we might, but this Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) posed nicely for us.

     Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is invasive, yet beautiful.

     Actually, this plant challenges the very nature of what constitutes an invasive organism. It was brought here in the seventeenth century, so it seems a reasonable conclusion that after four centuries it has become part of the native flora.

     Here is another Eastern Kingbird.

     Blow Flies (family Calliphoridae) and Water Striders (subgenus Gerris) were feasting on this dead fish.

     There were many Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) overhead and I am sure that as the odours from the decaying carcass intensify they will make short work of what remains.

     A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) is a handsome sight.

     Try as I might, I have been unable to identify the insects in the next couple of pictures.

     Many nest boxes have been installed throughout the wetland, but they seem to have been expropriated exclusively by House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

     We saw no evidence of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) or House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon); the conquest of the sparrows seems complete.

     As we were leaving we saw a couple of boys fishing.

     We inquired whether they were getting many bites, and were told that they were not. However, one boy cheerfully remarked, "It's all about the fun, right?"

     Indeed it is!