Skaha Bluffs

This beautiful, massive Ponderosa Pine grows up on the cliffs on the east side of Skaha Lake in the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park. This landscape consists of a variety of distinctive features, which function together to provide habitat for many species at risk birds, as well as the bighorn sheep, and western rattlesnake. As a rugged area, the park is especially enjoyed by rock climbers and hikers. The forests in the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park have been subjected to many significant fires, which burned large portions of the park. However, the Ponderosa Pines are considered one of the toughest most fire resistant conifer species in the region. Their very thick layered, colourful bark, acts as an insulating layer. As they grow and mature and tower over their environment these pines shed their lower branches reducing the chance of ground fires climbing up into the canopy.

 

Some of my favourite subjects to paint are summer landscapes, that contain a variety of greens and blues, which is toned down with the burnt sienna. I especially enjoy emphasizing the grand scale of our Okanagan environment.