EHCO FOTOGRAFIX

Hummingbird Moth

2011-03-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

One warm evening last September, we were graced with the appearance of a Hummingbird Moth attracted by the night scents from the nectar in the Nicotinia flowers. This moth, family Sphingidae, subfamily Macroglossinae, commonly referred to as Hummingbird, Sphinx, or Hawk-Moths,and often mistaken for Hummingbirds, are typically observed in the early evening, as summer is waning, drawing nectar from numerous fragrant evening flowers.

Vernon Apartment Building Fire

2011-02-26T22:50:00.000-08:00

Fire broke out at an apartment building near Vernon General Hospital around 5:00am on Friday morning. A challenging fire, which was fought at temperatures hovering around -17c.with a breeze. The major blaze drew resources from a number of Fire Departments in the North Okanagan, and took over eight hours to fight. Reports indicate all tenants were safely evacuated to the hospital cafeteria.

Komasket Kidzone Drumfun

2010-07-25T23:37:00.000-07:00

Komasket Music Festival is a Family oriented festival, and the Kidzone stage is just one example, where Kidz participate and contribute over the weekend. It all comes together on Sunday evening, Highlighted by a glorious, colourful procession to the arbour, with the kidz displaying their music, crafts and talents!!

The Wailers are Koming to Komasket Music Festival 2010!

2010-07-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

Bob Marleys's legendary band, The Wailers, Are Koming to Komasket Tribal Park this Summer, playing Saturday Night, July 31st at Komasket Music Festival 2010THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED REGGAE BAND

THE WAILERS

BRING THEIR SUMMER VIBES AND ONE LOVE TO THE

KOMASKET PARK - WESTSIDE ROAD

VERNON, CA-BC

SATURDAY, JULY 31

SHOWTIME - 9:30PM

LEGENDARY REGGAE BAND THE WAILERS

CONTRIBUTE EXCLUSIVE NEW TRACK

“A STEP FOR MANKIND” TO

“SOLUTIONS FOR DREAMERS: SEASON 3”

All proceeds benefit United Nations’ World Food Programme

The greatest living exponents of reggae music THE WAILERS, will be continuing their US tour and are heading to the Komasket Park on Saturday, July 31. The band will perform on stage at 9:30 PM. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here.

Legendary reggae group The Wailers, are pleased to announce the inclusion of an exclusive new track, “A Step for Mankind,” recorded in Jamaica specifically for Oniric Records’ Solution for Dreamers: Season 3, and is set for release this summer. The Wailers have been supporting the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) efforts to eradicate hunger throughout the world, and they specifically focus on Ethiopia.

“A Step for Mankind,” written by singer-songwriter Duane Stephenson, is a call for world unity and strength to support the ongoing struggle against world hunger. Stephenson, a songwriter renowned for his portrayal of love, culture and spirituality, is recognized for many incredible reggae songs, most notably for his work on Jah Cure’s reggae anthem “True Reflections.” The band is joined on the track by new lead singer Koolant, a fresh talent from the heart of St. Thomas known for blazing a positive future for reggae music with his work, which has already spawned hits such as “Rat Race.” Graced by the Wailers’ singular groove, “A Step for Mankind” is a small taste of more music forthcoming from the Wailers, who recently entered the studio in Jamaica to begin work on an album of all-new material. Duane will also be going out on the road performing on select dates with the band as well as helping spread the word about hunger in the world.

All proceeds will benefit the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide. A United Nations institution, the WFP is committed to getting food where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in 70 countries.

In honor of the WFP’s noble cause, Oniric Records created Solutions for Dreamers: Season 3. The label, founded in 2005, is an independent company dedicated to the promotion of artists who advocate social and environmental change through their music. The “Solutions for Dreamers” series was created to raise awareness and funds for non-profit partners of Oniric Records, such as environmental group Heal the Ocean.

Formed in Jamaica in the late 1960s, The Wailers have gone on to become the most successful reggae band of all time, selling 250 million albums, and playing live to an estimated 24 million people worldwide. The Wailers’ leader and musical director Aston “Familyman” Barrett, helped forge the template for reggae with his booming, thunderous bass patterns. But more than just a bass player, Family Man was also the right-hand man of former band leader Bob Marley. He also played a large part in arranging Marley’s songs and co-produced a number of the late icon’s albums.

The band continues their relentless touring schedule bringing their message of peace and “one love” to their audiences worldwide.

This year Familyman celebrates 40 years as a Wailer clearly embodying what Marley once said, “My music will go on forever. Maybe it’s a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever.” Get your reggae groove on and catch one of these dates and help support the Wailers in their efforts to eradicate world hunger.

Wailers Tour Dates:
Friday, July 23                        Genova, Italy – Villa Serra Breakout Festival w/ The Skatalites
Saturday, July 24                   Simaxis, Italy – Campo Sportivo Comunale
Saturday, July 31                   Vernon, BC, Canada-Komasket Music Festival
Thursday, August 5                Hyeres, France – Festival de Toulon
Friday, August 6                     Beauly, Scotland – Belladrum Estate
Saturday, August 7                 Aveiro, France – Barro Beach
Sunday, August 8                   Odemira, Portugal – Festival TMN Sudoeste w/ David Guetta,Steel Pulse & more
Tuesday, August 10               Budapest, Hungary – Sziget Festival w/ The Aggrolites, The Skatalites, & more
Wednesday, August 11         Gijon, Spain – Gijon Festivities
Friday, August 13                  Chichester, UK – Vintage @ Goodwood
Saturday, August 14              Pontevedra, Spain – San Sebastian Festivities
Sunday, August 15                Aschaffenburg, Germany – Afrika Karibik Festival
Monday, August 16               San Sebastian, Spain – San Sebastian Festivities
Friday, August 20                  Ottery Saint Mary, England – Beautiful Days Festival
Saturday, August 21             Bedford, UK – Rhythm Festival w/ Donovan, & more
Saturday, August 28             Aspatria, England – Solfest
Sunday, August 29                Ubersee, Germany – Chiemsee Reggae Summer festival
Thursday, September 9        Bucharest, Romania – Sala Palatului

WARM UP FOR THE WAILERS

2010-06-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

Komasket Music Festival

hosts…

‘Warm Up For The Wailers’

Reggae Dance with

The Mighty Mighty Coconuts

Wed June 30, 7pm at the Elks Hall

in downtown

Vernon

Free for Friends of Komasket

Jamaican Dinner ($10/plate) Elks hall provides the bar

The Wailers are coming to Komasket!

2010-06-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

...We are pleased to announce, For the first time in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada – Bob Marley’s Band, The Wailers are coming to Headline the 9^th Annual Komasket Music Festival!!

CBC News - British Columbia - Central B.C. forest fire continues to grow

2010-06-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

CBC News - British Columbia - Central B.C. forest fire continues to grow

Kal Lake - September 2009

2010-06-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

An unusual fall image of Kal Lake, looking north towards Rattlesnake (Turtle) Point. Unusual in that there are few vestiges of civilization in this image, with the exception of some wires in the foreground. The railroad tracks following the eastern shore are also visible, if you look closely. Beautiful waters, no boats on the lake, too!

Carol and Cacti gettin' down...

2010-05-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

Carol is gettin' down to transplanting cacti offsets and workin' up the barbecue in this early evening foto, taken in late May 2010

Mourning Doves

2010-05-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

One of a pair of Mourning Doves that I captured while they were working the ground close to their nest one sunny morning earlier this spring. An interesting and common bird throughout North America and the Caribbean. The name Mourning Dove comes from thier sad-sounding coo, but don't let that fool you...More information on Mourning Doves and their interesting habits may be found here

Starfish & Silver on Copperplate

2010-04-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Tiny starfish and small silver cream cup, on copperplate. 1:1 macro image

Chiefty defending her eggs..

2010-04-23T21:56:00.000-07:00

In these images taken last April 25th,2009, Chiefty the Cockatiel is exhibiting defensive nesting behaviour, guarding her eggs. She's demonstrating nesting behaviour and laying another clutch of eggs at this moment, the same time as last year. Cockatiels are very intelligent, perceptive, observant, and personable birds that constantly surprise and teach you.

View from Vernon, July 22,2009

2010-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

This smoky image of the Fintry fire was taken on July 22,2009, about five days after the fire began, from our rooftop patio at Sun Valley Mall, in downtown Vernon. Last year was quite hot and dry, but the water reserves were in far better shape. This year is quite different, the highland reserves are 50% below normal this year, and the backcountry is dangerously dry already.

CRACK SHACK or MANSION?

2010-04-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

Crack Shack or Mansion? Go to this link, check out the Crack Shack or Mansion game and see if you can tell the difference between a crack shack and a Vancouver, BC mansion, listed for one or two million dollars. You'll get some interesting surprises, as well as an interesting insight into the Vancouver real estate situation! http://www.crackshackormansion.com/ The image is an old homestead cabin near Radium, not an example of Vancouver real estate.....or, maybe it is.....

Chiefty the Cockatiel and her eggs..

2010-04-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Chiefty the cockatiel arranging the four eggs that she laid last spring....She's busy and actively looking for a place to lay her eggs at this moment...Exhibiting defensive and protective behavoiur...

Golden Boy

2010-04-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

Marmy, the Yellow-bellied marmot, here enjoying a sunny spring morning, lives in a rocky outcrop below one of the many viewpoints on the old highway overlooking Kal Lake. His view leaves a bit to be desired though....

A fall morning ...

2010-04-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

Image taken one fall morning, September 2006 from Bench Row Road, near Vernon, BC

Floating Shoes

2010-04-11T23:40:00.000-07:00

This shoe store window display caught my eye walking in downtown Vernon taking available light fotos the other night. Using a 50mm lens @ f1.8, 1/160sec, 400 ISO.

Reflections on Kal Lake

2010-04-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

The sun was in the right place for this colourful foto captured yesterday, just before noon, looking down on Kal Lake from one of the many incredibly scenic viewpoints along the old highway. Check out my previous (March 15th) post regarding the condition of these viewpoints.

Borderland Beat: Excellent Informative Blog

2010-04-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

Interesting and insightful blog that I've been following called the Borderland Beat ...all about the Tex-Mex-X-border drug trade...this post in particular is about the Narco Corrirdos, the Mexican folksingers singing the tales of the Narcotraficantes in Mexico. Photo not mine, pasted from Borderland Beat blog: all credits to Borderland Beat, well worth checking out the site, interesting perspective on one small aspect of the drug war and some of its myriad, far reaching influences. Borderland Beat may also be found on my Blog List.

NEW! KOMASKET fotoblog

2010-04-03T00:39:00.000-07:00

When we started ehcofotografix.blogspot.com and began featuring images from KMF 2009, I began to realize that to really showcase images of Komasket, there needed to be a place just for Komasket Music Festival fotos. Considering we have over 9000 KMF pics, there's no shortage of material to choose from...So, here we go! A place just for KMF images, slideshows, news, and stuff. All things KMF! www.komasketfotos.blogspot.com

Blackberry Wood plays Paddlewheel Hall - April 30th

2010-03-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

Blackberry Wood will be playing a KMF fundraising dance at Paddlewheel Park Hall in OK Landing, on April 30th. It'll be a great, high energy barnburner, and i'm sure they'll be jazzed from their recent stint at Caravan Farm, as well. Check out their myspace page, and my March 7th posting.

Fire Season Begins...2009

2010-03-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

Around seven in the evening of July 18, I stepped out on my balcony to capture these images of the very beginnings of both the Westbank/Rosedale and Fintry/Terrace Mtn.fires. The Terrace Mtn. fire was largely ignored for almost a week while the Rosedale fire was being brought under control. The end result? A very dangerous three week firestorm, rivaling the Kelowna/Okanagan Mtn. firestorm of 2003. The point? 2009 was a hot dry year, and we've had a very mild, dry winter, spring is early and we haven't had a lot of precipitation. This year, the BC government, in its infinite wisdom, slashed 400 million from the firefighting budget , coincidentially, the amount that they spent fighting these fires in 2009.

The Scenic Route View of Kalamalka Lake

2010-03-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

The old highway drive from the Kekuli Bay Provincial Park campground turnoff to Kalamalka Lookout provides spectacular roadside views of Kalamalka Lake. Unfortunately, the foreground view at all the numerous pullouts along that stretch of road is always strewn with all sorts of garbage and filth. We've returned stolen goods found there twice in the past three years.This spring, I turned in remnants of a weapon that was discarded. It's unfortunate that this area, that offers such incredible views of Kalamalka Lake, is largely ignored, in spite of it's proximity to Vernon and Kekuli Bay Provincial Park. It's time some attention was paid to this section of road that's been largely ignored since the highway was upgraded. Garbage cans, strategically placed at all the pullouts, would be a good start.

Chiefty and her Organic Cashews

2010-03-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

Chiefty the cockatiel has very discerning tastes. Everything she eats must be fresh, or she's just not interested. She wants to see you pour cold water into a glass for her, before she'll have a drink. She loves her fresh, raw, organic Ivory Coast cashews, one of the many high quality nuts, seeds and fruit products imported by Rancho Vignola.

Kal Lake in Winter

2010-03-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

The vantage point where this image was captured is now inaccessible private property, unfortunately. The RAW image file was converted to dng format and processed in Lightroom 2.6, using Lightroom presets.

VERNON, April 19, 2008

2010-03-11T23:23:00.000-08:00

On April 18th, a cold front moved in to the valley, and during the night, dumped 10cm of snow that didn't disappear in hours like a spring snow. It remained cold , and the snow didn't completely melt away until the 22nd. Vernon weather reports can be found here: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-27_metric_e.html, and local historical data can be found here.

Mom laid two EGGS

2010-03-10T23:05:00.000-08:00

I missed it myself today, but Mom laid two eggs, and Dad has been busy bringing food to the nest. If you haven't checked out the cams from my earlier posting, you can find them here on CBC, or at the Hancock Wildlife Foundation website. In my previous posting, I provided some links to other wildcams. More can be found on the CBC site in the bottom right hand corner, such as Blue Herons in Prince Rupert, Peregrine Falcons, or how about Penguins in Montreal? There is also a link for Osprey in Finland and yup, it's in English as well.

Blackberry Wood

2010-03-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

Blackberry Wood, known for their delightful, theatrical, high energy fun shows, made a number of passes through the area last year, performing at KMF and for Vernon Civic Sounds last summer, as well as playing at the Caravan Farm Theatre for their Halloween Dance. They'll be playing Vernon Civic Sounds again this year on August 19, before heading off to Dunster for the Robson Valley Music Festival, August 20-22, 2010. Before heading off to the UK this spring, they're going back to Caravan Farm Theatre to do a week residency studying theatre. You can find their complete schedule on their myspace page.

Tambura Rasa

2010-03-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

We've been enjoying the wonderful non-stop melodies emanating from the Tambura Rasa site this evening...beautiful, soothing, fusion sounds... Tambura Rasa, along with Karen Pitkethley and her troupe of flamenco dancers put on dynamic performances at KMF 2009 You'll often find them performing together. Tambura Rasa has also joined the ever-increasing ranks of musicians who have converted their touring bus to biodiesel....check out www.karenflamenco.com and www.tamburarasa.com,

Speech on Mihirangis' new album

2010-03-05T01:14:00.000-08:00

Speech from Arrested Development talks about Mihirangis' up and coming album in a video clip that may be found on the home page of Mihirangis' website, where you'll also find some free music downloads. The video is also on the forum page at this link: www.mihirangi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&p=119 Speaking of videos, there's a number of good ones on Arrested Developments' site, be sure to check out "Greener"

Bald Eagle Live Cams

2010-03-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

The Sidney Bald Eagles are back, getting the nest ready for a new season. A real treat to watch on live cam. See the youngsters hatching, growing, and leaving the nest, sometimes reluctantly! The cams are operated by the Hancock Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit society dedicated to conservation, education and research.
This Eagle photo was taken at the Great Blue Heron rookery in Vernon, BC. CBC also has a feed, which may be found at this link:
www.cbc.ca/bc/features/eaglecam/
Other cams to watch, including Bats, Owls, Osprey, and Seals may be found by clicking here.

HAKA DANCE at KMF 2009

2010-03-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

One of the many highlights at KMF 2009 was the Haka Dance on Sunday afternoon, taught to these women at a workshop conducted by Mihirangi during the festival.

The SHUFFLE DEMONS 25 year reunion

2010-03-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

The Shuffle Demons got back together for a very successful 25th year reunion tour in 2009. Making their traditional procession to the Komasket stage on Sunday afternoon, along with April and Ben of Bow & Arrow Sideshow and a huge kidzone cast!

MIA DYSON

2010-03-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

Mia Dyson, who hails from Australia, has been touring North America for the past few years. She wowed the crowd at KMF last summer playing with her stellar trio, and also during an all star jam with many of the other festival musicians taking part. Check out her site at www.miadyson.com

for some great, original aussie roots and blues. A slide show of the All Star Jam may be found in the sidebar.

FIVE ALARM FUNK

2010-03-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

There are two slide shows of Five Alarm Funk, one from KMF 2009, and one from the November 20th dance at Okanagan Landing Hall. Excellent high energy group, absolute " must see" performers! fivealarmfunk.com

Featuring Komasket 2009 galleries

2010-03-01T12:40:00.000-08:00

This spring we'll be featuring slide galleries taken at Komasket Music Festival 2009. Please feel free to add your comments, or requests for Komasket photos you would like to see.

Bill doing the opening grass dance

Arrested Development at KMF 2009

2010-02-27T22:23:00.000-08:00

Arrested Development were the headliners on Saturday night, and also did a workshop on Sunday morning. Slide galleries for both Saturday and Sunday appear in the sidebar arresteddevelopmentmusic.com