Winter on the Westshore

Another winter is giving way to spring! To send it off, we're rounding up your photos of February's cold snap and your submissions to December's winter memories photo contest.

Favourite memories of past winters

'“Fun times after some heavy labour !! All in good fun !!” – Jennifer

Ken Johansen

“Winter (2023) in East Sooke for a mini pig” – Rhonda Lee

How the Hutchings family deals with snow & ice.

“My favourite winter picture!” – Eryn Brett

Winter chanterelles – Jane Eert

“Sad Lion at Royal Roads” – Alan Beairsto

“Here is a pic of my grumpy garden dragon 🐉 because she doesn’t like snow either!” – Raven

Japanese garden, Esquimalt Gorge — Jeri Jorgenson

Early-February cold snap photos

The Westshore's dose of snow and cold was fairly concentrated this year, arriving heavily in the first week of February and then mostly dissipating.

Here are some of the photos you sent in to show what a snow-covered Westshore looked like in your various necks of the woods.

“Evening sky over Esquimalt, before the snow” – Richard Steward, taken from Ogden Point on Feb. 2

Resident peacocks enjoying (?) a snow day on the Royal Roads University campus. Photo: Ali Blythe

“Just a dusting" on Six Mile Pub – Richard Steward

“Winter Wonderland" in Sooke – Frankie Lawrence

The sort of sight that greeted many locals last weekend. — Paul Young

“A robin who seems perplexed about the snow making getting its dinner more difficult during the recent snowy conditions.” – Bennett Guinn

Plus: An American Robin checking out its surroundings in the snow. – Gary Woodburn

Punkie (the pup) takes in the view from Sky House overlooking Anderson Cove, East Sooke. - Nan P. Hundere

“I am Canadian" – a rooftop photoshoot in the falling snow from Tina Martel (model) and Doug Wills (photographer).

Twilight over backyard & beyond – Gary Woodburn

Winter at the water

Not every day was cold and grey (or white) in the winter, of course. This December shot from Helen Wark showed that sometimes Ocean Boulevard can be just as green abd blue and bright in December as in May.

Lizzy Mos

A few ducks literally on the water, standing on a frozen pond at Thetis. – Richard Steward

Witty's Lagoon – Michel Besler

A Royal sunrise – Paul Young

A holiday-season sunset over Esquimalt Lagoon – Gary Woodburn