Tromping Around Victoria with Mary Jane

Mary Jane stands looking up towards the top of an enormous tree that may be about eight hundred years old.

When friends come to visit, I get to go to my favourite spots with fresh eyes. Here’s a little glimpse of where I took Mary Jane Mucklestone while she was here.

Brilliant light in the woods of Francis/King Park makes the mossy trees glow

Red leaves changing in Duncan. They look like an unreal illustration!

High tide waters gently lap the beach at Witty’s Lagoon

Mary Jane and I visited Francis/King Park’s Heritage grove to see some of the biggest and oldest trees in the area, Witty’s Lagoon with its lovely forest paths and dramatic beach, and the Cowichan Valley, where we saw some incredible plants, sea lions lounging, and jellies floating gently the water.

Mary Jane holds a truly enormous maple leaf

The view looking out at the ocean and mountains

Sea lions barking and relaxing on the docks at Cowichan Bay

Having lived here a few years, I’m starting to really appreciate seeing each place I love changing with the seasons, like we’re getting to know each other. I’ve been a traveller throughout my life, but I’m starting to feel the pleasure of familiarity, of remembering what it was like last year and last season, and wondering what the future will bring to this place.

If you like my nature photography, you can always see more of it over on Instagram - I have a special nature photography feed @andrearangeloutside.