The Benchlands

Gullied benchlands and
silt bluffs are gifts from the past
 - once a glacial lake

~ carliewired

My drive this morning was Shuswap Road heading east along the South Thompson River. We are at the start of a long weekend, our Victoria Day holiday. Despite the direction of our province's public health officer to avoid unnessary travel,  there are many on the move with recreation vehicles today. 

I drove as far as the Harper's Ranch to take in the benchlands above the river valley. These bluffs are a distinctive feature with gulleys and sagebrush on both sides of the river. New calves were bounding through their pastures on the ranch land. One patient eagle watched the river closely. The south side of the river has many homes with river frontage.

Russian olive trees grow along the South Thompson River. These were brought in by settlers in the early 1900s. They are now considered an invasive species which crowds out the native vegetation. It wasn't long ago that our own city planted these trees in public landscapes. Birds seem to like the hard little olives they produce. The trees provide a light shade and are very attractive. Here, my little red bomber looked quite appropriate under them at roadside. 

We're promised a high of 26 C. It is a beautiful, blue sky day.