Rich colours at Fraser Foreshore Park in south Burnaby late this afternoon.
Category Archives: Nature
Gull Plays With Golf Ball at Piper Spit, Burnaby
Gull playing with golf ball at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake in Burnaby, BC.
At first I thought it might have mistaken the golf ball for shellfish, and was trying to crack it open, but after observing for awhile, I think it was just having fun.
It would drop it and try to catch it again in mid-air.
The sad thing is there were dozens of golf balls in the shallows to the east of the spit.
Could they be washing down Eagle Creek all the way from Burnaby Mountain Golf Course?
Birding at Burnaby Lake
There’s always lots of action at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake. And lots of people out enjoying the sunshine.
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Mallard
Mandarin Duck
Northern Pintail
Wood Duck
Scaup
Scaup
Hairy Woodpecker
Spotted Towhee
Unfortunately we found another dead Pine Siskin. Samonellosis is spreading among these cute wee birds. Yumi picked it up using some sticks so as not to touch it, and buried it, hopefully to help contain the spread.
Robert Burnaby Park Forest Sculptures
We had a blast wandering Robert Burnaby Park in Burnaby, BC, today searching for the forest sculptures created by Vancouver artist Nickie Lewis.
UPDATE (2/2): This was not approved by Burnaby Parks. While entertaining, and getting folks out into nature, there are also drawbacks like habitat denigration, erosion, etc.
Apparently the artist was planning to do more of these in other Burnaby parks, including Byrne Creek Ravine Park, where I’ve volunteered as a streamkeeper for over 20 years. Byrne Creek Ravine Park has a very fragile riparian zone, and attracting hundreds of people to trample through it would be disastrous.
When I heard this, I contacted Burnaby Parks, and was assured that they are aware, and have contacted the artist who has agreed to stop these activities.
Yes, I have to admit we enjoyed exploring Robert Burnaby Park, but upon further thought, it’s best to try to maintain what little urban biodiversity that we have left. . .
Eagles, Waterfowl at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC
Eagles, Wigeons, Buffleheads, Northern Shovelers. . . at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC.
Great Blue Heron Lunches on Rodent
I saw this Great Blue Heron stalking something at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC, today. I watched and waited, and whack! Down the hatch. . .
Northern Harrier at Centennial Beach, Delta, BC
I spent at least an hour following this Northern Harrier around as it patrolled fields and marshes at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC.
Barnet Marine Park Views in Burnaby
The overcast, foggy light was wonderful at Barnet Marine Park in north Burnaby today.
Foggy Burnaby Mountain
Lovely light on Burnaby Mountain this morning.
Long-Tailed Duck at Barnet Marine Park
We saw a duck we didn’t recognize at Barnet Marine Park in north Burnaby today. Turns out it’s a Long-tailed Duck, confirmed by the hive mind at iNaturalist. Cool!
Also spotted a few Goldeneyes, a Great Blue Heron, and a Cormorant.
Long-tailed Duck
