Richard McGuire Photo

I was returning to Osoyoos from Mount Baldy today when I turned a corner and saw this amazing super moon rising right in front of me. Osoyoos was socked in clouds all day, but the elevation of Mount Baldy was above the clouds. Moments later the clouds rose and the view of the moon was gone. Happy New Year everyone. (Richard McGuire photo)

An old log barn on a sideroad near Anarchist Summit, east of Osoyoos, B.C. This shot was taken in mid-August, after the worst of this year’s smoke from wildfires was past, but there was still some haze in the atmosphere. (Richard McGuire photo)

Starlings perch on a wire. (Richard McGuire photo)

McIntryre Bluff is a massive ridge of gneiss rock at the south end of Vaseux Lake between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. (Richard McGuire photo)

The mud mineral rings of Spotted Lake west of Osoyoos become more and more dominant later in the summer and fall. The white is minerals — not snow — in this photo taken in early October. (Richard McGuire photo)

A grove of aspens is lit up in autumn gold as the sun lowers on an October day. (Richard McGuire photo)

As water evaporates, the mineral rings in Spotted Lake become more pronounced. The lake, sacred to local First Nations, is just west of Osoyoos, B.C. (Richard McGuire photo)

An autumn evening in October descends on the town of Osoyoos and Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

Dusk descends on Osoyoos and the town lights up. The name “Osoyoos” comes from the Okanagan language and refers to the land bridge across the lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

A pool in the mountains west of Osoyoos reflects the autumn colours. (Richard McGuire photo)

The water of Kilpoola Lake ripples on an October afternoon. (Richard McGuire photo)

Aspens give off a golden glow in the grasslands above Osoyoos on an October afternoon. (Richard McGuire photo)

Burned trees on the hilltops tell of a wildfire in the past. The flaming aspens and other bushes almost appear like fire on an autumn afternoon west of Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)

As dusck descends on Osoyoos, the town’s lights shine around Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

Stars fill the sky above Haynes Ranch just north of Osoyoos. The building and grass are lit with “light painting” — the combination of a long exposure and “painting” using a flashlight. (Richard McGuire photo)

Snow covers the higher elevations on Mount Kobau in the background, but Osoyoos is still enjoying the last of autumn on a mid-November afternoon. (Richard McGuire photo)

Snow has covered the fields around the old Lawless House just west of Anarchist Summit on the descent to Osoyoos. Each year the old house’s condition looks more deteriorated. (Richard McGuire photo)

A tall dead tree stands like a sentinel overlooking the Okanagan Valley east of Oliver. (Richard McGuire photo)

This old barn stands next to the Haynes Ranch off Blacksage Road on Road 22 north of Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)

A dusting of snow covers the grassland in the foreground on Mount Kobau. This view with a telephoto lens shows the different landscapes descending through pine forest, grasslands and finally to the valley bottom planted in vineyards and orchards. (Richard McGuire photo)

Snow covers the slopes of Mount Kobau as the Okanagan Valley enjoys a sunny day in early December. More and more days are overcast at this time of year and it’s not long until the snow reaches into the valley too. (Richard McGuire photo)

A few golden delicious apples still hang in the trees and others are scattered on the ground. It’s early December and the harvest is over. Soon the leaves and apples will be covered in a layer of snow. (Richard McGuire photo)

A lone pine tree is living on the edge of a rocky cliff east of Vaseux Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

The shoreline of Vaseux Lake is brown after the end of autumn in early December. Snow is creeping down from higher elevations into the Okanagan Valley. (Richard McGuire photo)

A bighorn ram munches on dry grass in the hills east of Vaseux Lake. This shot was taken from considerable distance with a very long lens. (Richard McGuire photo)

Chunks of ice flow down the Similkameen River and mist rises from the water as the temperature falls to around -16 C. (Richard McGuire photo)

From the lookout off Highway 3 heading west of Osoyoos you look out across Osoyoos Lake. On the opposite shore are The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

In winter, the snow on Spotted Lake forms ridges along the edges of the mud rings. (Richard McGuire photo)

In winter, the snow on Spotted Lake forms ridges along the edges of the mud rings. (Richard McGuire photo)

Mountains rise up was you enter the Similkameen Valley, descending from the Richter Pass. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Similkameen River meanders past vineyards. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Similkameen River meanders. (Richard McGuire photo)

Frozen tire tracks reflect the sunlight on Barcelo Road near Cawston. (Richard McGuire photo)

Erosion on the side of a mountain outside Cawston makes snow-covered patterns. (Richard McGuire photo)

A few frozen apples cling to young apple trees in rows near Cawston as the sun beats down on a cold winter day. (Richard McGuire photo)

St. Ann’s Catholic Church is perched on a hill just east of Hedley at Chuchuwayha, an Indian village. It was built around 1910. (Richard McGuire photo)

Hedley is a village west of Keremeos that has a gold mining history. The Hedley Country Market, like many buildings in Hedley, look like they’ve changed very little in the past 50 years or so. (Richard McGuire photo)

Sunlight catches the trees on a ridge above Bromley Rock Provincial Park on the Similkameen River between Hedley and Princeton. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Similkameen River winds past the rocky cliffs at Bromley Rock Provincial Park between Princeton and Hedley. Chunks of ice float in the river and the sun lowers behind the mountains, throwing the valley into shade. (Richard McGuire photo)

Chunks of ice flow down the Similkameen River and mist rises from the water as the temperature falls to around -16 C. (Richard McGuire photo)

Chunks of ice flow down the Similkameen River and mist rises from the water as the temperature falls to around -16 C. (Richard McGuire photo)

Around Kilpoola Lake, grasslands spread over low mountains with the sweet smell of sagebrush. (Richard McGuire photo)

I’ve heard this little lake on the way to Kilpoola referred to as “Turtle Lake,” but I can’t find any official reference to its name, so I don’t know what its real name is. It’s pretty, nonetheless. (Richard McGuire photo)

Up Kruger Mountain road, you come to this little lake, which appears to be an extension of Blue Lake. The landscape is very diverse with forests, grasslands and low mountains. (Richard McGuire photo)

Up Kruger Mountain road, you come to this little lake, which appears to be an extension of Blue Lake. The landscape is very diverse with forests, grasslands and low mountains. (Richard McGuire photo)

Blue Lake is the largest lake on the way to Kilpoola Lake. It’s set in the midst of forests, grasslands and low mountains. (Richard McGuire photo)

Around Kilpoola Lake, grasslands spread over low mountains with the sweet smell of sagebrush. (Richard McGuire photo)

Around Kilpoola Lake, grasslands spread over low mountains with the sweet smell of sagebrush. (Richard McGuire photo)

A breeze blows through grasses near Kilpoola lake. Although a drought is underway, there’s still a lot of green after the spring flooding. (Richard McGuire photo)

The road past Kilpoola Lake is just a rough track across the grasslands. There was still a lot of green in late July here despite concerns about dry vegetation and the possiblility of fire elsewhere. (Richard McGuire photo)

Around Kilpoola Lake, grasslands spread over low mountains with the sweet smell of sagebrush. (Richard McGuire photo)

Around Kilpoola Lake, grasslands spread over low mountains with the sweet smell of sagebrush. (Richard McGuire photo)

Around Kilpoola Lake, grasslands spread over low mountains with the sweet smell of sagebrush. (Richard McGuire photo)

Flooding in the spring has left the water high in Kilpoola Lake. Even at the end of July, the lower road was still submerged under water, despite widespread drought elsewhere. (Richard McGuire photo)

With higher clearance, the used truck I bought in July was good for travelling on the dirt tracks around Kilpoola Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

Blue Lake is the largest lake on the way to Kilpoola Lake. It’s set in the midst of forests, grasslands and low mountains. (Richard McGuire photo)

Blue Lake is the largest lake on the way to Kilpoola Lake. It’s set in the midst of forests, grasslands and low mountains. (Richard McGuire photo)

From the road up Mount Kobau, you can look down on Spotted Lake, a unique lake known for its rings of mineral-rich mud. With water levels still quite high from the rainfall in the spring, despite the summer drought, the rings aren’t as visible as they usually are at this time of year. (Richard McGuire photo)

I encountered this black bear on a drive up Mount Kobau at the end of August. He or she didn’t stick around long enough for me to get a decent shot before heading off into the brush. And no, I didn’t try to walk up and take a selfie with it using my smart phone. This used a long lens and was taken from my car. (Richard McGuire photo)

From the road up Mount Kobau, you can look down on Spotted Lake, a unique lake known for its rings of mineral-rich mud. With water levels still quite high from the rainfall in the spring, despite the summer drought, the rings aren’t as visible as they usually are at this time of year. (Richard McGuire photo)

From the road up Mount Kobau, you can look down on Spotted Lake, a unique lake known for its rings of mineral-rich mud. With water levels still quite high from the rainfall in the spring, despite the summer drought, the rings aren’t as visible as they usually are at this time of year. (Richard McGuire photo)

From the road up Mount Kobau, you can look down on Spotted Lake, a unique lake known for its rings of mineral-rich mud. With water levels still quite high from the rainfall in the spring, despite the summer drought, the rings aren’t as visible as they usually are at this time of year. (Richard McGuire photo)

Two years ago, in 2015, fire tore up the side of Mount Kobau near Osoyoos leaving charred trees behind. Today there is new plant growth, though the charred trees still remain. (Richard McGuire photo)

Two years ago, in 2015, fire tore up the side of Mount Kobau near Osoyoos leaving charred trees behind. Today there is new plant growth, though the charred trees still remain. (Richard McGuire photo)

I took these photos of Spotted Lake just west of Osoyoos from behind the gate at the highway using a long lens. The lake is considered sacred by local First Nations. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, which owns the land, restricts entry. (Richard McGuire photo)

I took these photos of Spotted Lake just west of Osoyoos from behind the gate at the highway using a long lens. The lake is considered sacred by local First Nations. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, which owns the land, restricts entry. (Richard McGuire photo)

I took these photos of Spotted Lake just west of Osoyoos from behind the gate at the highway using a long lens. The lake is considered sacred by local First Nations. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, which owns the land, restricts entry. (Richard McGuire photo)

I took these photos of Spotted Lake just west of Osoyoos from behind the gate at the highway using a long lens. The lake is considered sacred by local First Nations. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, which owns the land, restricts entry. (Richard McGuire photo)

I took these photos of Spotted Lake just west of Osoyoos from behind the gate at the highway using a long lens. The lake is considered sacred by local First Nations. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, which owns the land, restricts entry. (Richard McGuire photo)

I took these photos of Spotted Lake just west of Osoyoos from behind the gate at the highway using a long lens. The lake is considered sacred by local First Nations. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, which owns the land, restricts entry. (Richard McGuire photo)

There was relatively little of the smoke that has plagued the Okanagan most of this summer when I took this photo at Osoyoos Airport in late August. The sun was about to go down and the sagebrush and antelope brush were lit up in gold light. (Richard McGuire photo)

The sun sets behind the mountains above the Osoyoos Desert Centre. (© Richard McGuire photo)

A young buck deer at the Osoyoos Desert Centre is well camouflaged among the sagebrush, antelope brush and tall grass. Animals are often more active in the evening. Although night tours at the centre concluded last week, the days are getting shorter. (© Richard McGuire photo)

This small species of prickly pear cactus is native to the South Okanagan and is often seen growing at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. It’s much smaller than the cacti seen growing in other areas, such as the U.S. Southwest or Mexico. But brush against it when you’re walking and it can stick to you and give you great respect for it. (© Richard McGuire photo)

A Nuttall’s cottontail freezes among the grass when it perceives a predator. (© Richard McGuire photo)

Sagebrush (left) and antelope brush (background) are some of the main vegetation preserved at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. There’s very little left of this environment that is unique in Canada as much of the surrounding land is farmed or otherwise developed. (© Richard McGuire photo)

Antelope brush grows on a hillside at the Osoyoos Desert Centre along with other plants unique to this arid corner of Canada. There are also non-native grasses that were introduced when the land was used for grazing. (© Richard McGuire photo)

An antelope brush reaches for the sky. (© Richard McGuire photo)

The South Okanagan’s endangered antelope brush habitat is unique in Canada. (© Richard McGuire photo)

Antelope brush rises from non-native grass at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. The air is thick with smoke from burning wildfires in other parts of B.C. (© Richard McGuire photo)

Antelope brush spreads out at the roots with the same plant often covering a larger area. In the spring it is covered with a small yellow flower. (Richard McGuire photo)

I spotted this flowering plant growing at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. (© Richard McGuire photo)

The sun becomes a fiery ball as it sets behind the ridge of Kruger Mountain above Osoyoos on Sunday night. The eerie effect is caused by the heavy blanket of smoke that hangs over most of Southern B.C. (Richard McGuire photo)

A thick blanket of smoke hanges over Osoyoos giving the sun an orange glow as it lowers in the evening. Large amounts of smoke cover most of southern B.C., blowing south from wildfires in Central B.C. (Richard McGuire photo)

The sun becomes an orange ball as it makes its final descent through thick smoke over Osoyoos Saturday evening. (Richard McGuire photo)

Steve Hohmann of Quesnel is thrown from his horse in the saddle bronc competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Joe Roberson, of Williams Lake, hangs on as his horse Trickster jumps very high to try to throw him in the saddle bronc competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Steve Hohmann of Quesnel hangs on tight to Crooked Hillary in the saddle bronc competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Blaire Smith of Vernon ropes a calf in the tie-down roping event at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Blaire Smith of Vernon picks up a calf to put it on its back so he can tie its legs in the tie-down roping event at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Denver Derose of Kamloops hangs on for a rough ride on Taboo during the bareback riding competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Joe Roberson, of Williams Lake, checks out the view from up high in the saddle bronc competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

It was steers 5, cowboys 0 when none of the competitors managed to score in the steer wrestling at Keremeos Rodeo on Sunday. The cowboy has to slide off his horse and onto the steer as they all run. This guy seemed to have a good chance, but the steer ended up trampling him. (Richard McGuire photo)

Kiley Streeter, of Palisades, WA, ropes a calf in the breakaway roping, a women’s event. The calves get a short head start, and the women follow on horseback. (Richard McGuire photo)

Brandon Louie, of Cawston, BC, tries to hang on a steer rears up to throw him in the junior steer riding competition at Keremeos Rodeo. A fraction of a second later Louie was on the ground. (Richard McGuire photo)

For the half-time entertainment, they pen off an area, put in a bunch of youngsters aged eight and under, then throw live chickens into the pen. The kids that catch a chicken can keep it. I heard one adult ask a girl if she was going to roast her chicken, but she seemed horrified and said she was keeping it as a pet. Then I saw some other children feeding French fries to their chicken. (Richard McGuire photo)

Barrel racing is a woman’s event that follows the intermission and has many competitors. Unfortunately I couldn’t catch all the names when the announcer got carried away in banter and wasn’t clear on who was riding when. (Richard McGuire photo)

Barrel racing is a woman’s event that follows the intermission and has many competitors. Unfortunately I couldn’t catch all the names when the announcer got carried away in banter and wasn’t clear on who was riding when. (Richard McGuire photo)

In team roping, one rider ropes a steer’s head and the other ropes its hind feet. This is the only event where men and women compete equally in the same event. (Richard McGuire photo)

In team roping, one rider ropes a steer’s head and the other ropes its hind feet. This is the only event where men and women compete equally in the same event. (Richard McGuire photo)

Steve Hohmann of Quesnel looks back at the bull that just threw him in the bull riding competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Ryan Jasper, of Williams Lake, B.C., slides off the back of a bucking bull in the bull riding competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo. (Richard McGuire photo)

Darryl Brown, of Langley, B.C., tries to hang onto the side of a bull that is determined to throw him. A split second later he was on the ground, trying to avoid being trampled. (Richard McGuire photo)

Steve Hohmann of Quesnel gets bucked around in the bull riding competition at Keremeos Elks Rodeo on Sunday. It was a hot day and many people turned out for such events as bareback riding, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, barrel racing, team roping and others. (Richard McGuire photo)

It may have one of the warmest average annual temperatures in Canada, but a white Christmas in Osoyoos is quite common. Most of Osoyoos Lake is still open water, but there are large areas that are now frozen, following a recent cold spell. (Richard McGuire photo)

This old house near Anarchist Summit east of Osoyoos probably saw many Thanksgivings over the years before it was abandoned. I’ve photographed it in many seasons, but it looked particularly appealing in the glowing autumn sunlight with yellow aspens behind. (Richard McGuire photo)