So a day after Remembrance Day, someone that I follow on FB posted a Mussolini quotation, with zero qualification or explanation.
WTF? The hoary old “day as a lion vs lifetime as a sheep.”
Hello? He was a a fascist dictator.
Don’t people read ANY history?
You know all those ceremonies we had yesterday? All those men and women who died to protect our freedom and democracy?
One of their key opponents was Mussolini’s regime, eh?
This is what happens when you dialed in -3.5 stops exposure compensation on your DSLR when you last used it for a moon shot. Then you grab it to shoot a hummer from your front door and, well, kinda dark, but I kinda like it : – ).
It was sunny and clear for the always moving Remembrance Day ceremony at the Bonsor Cenotaph in south Burnaby, BC.
CP-140 patrol plane
Half a dozen volunteers with the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers Society patrolled the creek in SE #Burnaby for spawning salmon today. It’s been a slow start to the spawning season, but we saw a couple of live ones today, and processed a couple of dead ones for size, sex, and spawning status.
If you notice a salmon carcass in the creek that’s been cut in half, don’t worry, that’s us — we cut the processed morts in half so we know they’ve been assessed, and return them to the creek where they provide essential nutrients to the food chain.
Pointing out a redd (nest of eggs) near the confluence with John Mathews Creek
They can be hard to spot even on a bright, clear, day
Another lovely redd (nest of eggs) near Meadow Ave.
Sad to find a female coho unspawned. This happens too often on Byrne Creek.
Large male chum
Resetting a dog poster. We have permission from City of Burnaby Parks to put up posters advising the public to keep dogs out of the creek during spawning season from mid-October through the end of the year. Most dog walkers are cooperative and understanding, and since they’re on the trail nearly every day, they’re some of our best “eyes on the creek.”
My consumption of books has dropped dramatically over the years. Twenty years ago I’d read 100 books a year no problem, but in recent years sometimes I barely get through a book a month.
There are a number of reasons that added together have put that big dent in my consumption.
I noticed that following the injury to my ankle/foot recently, I read nearly a book a day over the last week. Hm. So it can be done!
It was also interesting to enjoy the interaction of reading. Active? I’m the kind of person who underlines, makes notes in margins. . .
With TV it’s more in one eye and out the other : – ).
Somehow my ankle got screwed up, and I have no idea what happened. I recall stumbling on some stairs, but it didn’t hurt at the time. Sigh.
Woke this morning with some minor pain, but by the end of the work day, much of it spent on my feet, I was feeling more twinges.
Got home, made dinner, sat down to watch the news, got up and YOW!
Nearly fell down the pain was so sharp.
What the heck?
I’ve been RICEing it this evening, and have it loosely wrapped for bed with a tensor bandage with a topical patch inside.
Sure hope it’s better in the morning, because I have another six-hour delivery shift. . .
UPDATE (Nov. 6): Well the ankle has pretty much come around, but a week of walking funny has resulted in a painful muscle in the foot. Everything is connected . . . Heading off to work with a topical patch and ankle brace.
We still haven’t seen any salmon come back to spawn in Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby yet. By past arrival averages, they are late. Sure hope they start appearing soon, but it’s still lovely in the ravine!
Tree climbing snail
This Brown Creeper seemed to enjoy playing peekaboo for a few minutes
Spiders are everywhere in numbers as it cools and the rains come.
Got home from work in time to get a few shots of the spectacular moon tonight hanging over Byrne Creek Ravine Park in SE Burnaby, BC.
Yumi and I headed out to Maple Ridge for the Return of the Salmon at the fish fence at Kanaka Creek Regional Park. It was a lovely day for the fun event.
Glorious male chum in full spawning regalia
Thanks to all the KEEPS volunteers!
Ross Davies regales folks with nature tales, and explains the salmon life cycle
Yumi with a bunch of kids, checking out aquatic bugs
Metro Vancouver Parks display
The fish dissection was educational albeit a tad gruesome : – )
That wee ball is the lens from a chum salmon’s eye
A bear nonchalantly ambled by, ignoring the hundreds of people
Watershed Watch Salmon Society booth.
Defend the Heart of the Fraser!
It was a one-hour round trip on foot to the polling station and back, but I got my exercise while exercising my democratic rights and responsibilities 
.
