On our pre-supper walk we saw two Barred Owls, both of them snoozing.
Category Archives: Photography
Barred Owl, Bunny in Byrne Creek Ravine Park
We timed our morning walk on Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC, today perfectly, getting home just as the sky opened up and the rain came down.
Yumi spotted a bunny (European Rabbit?), and a Barred Owl that’s been attracting photographers to the ravine for weeks. It was quiet today, apparently the owl chicks have moved on, so the owl is getting some respite.
Swallow Trifecta at Burnaby Lake, Burnaby, BC
There were lots of swallows skimming the water at Burnaby Lake in Burnaby today.
I was happy to get in-flight shots of three species: Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, and Tree Swallow.
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Another Coho Smolt Kill on Byrne Creek, Burnaby, BC
I got a call from City of Burnaby staff today that people were reporting dead fish in Byrne Creek. Sure enough, yet another first-flush road-wash coho kill.
This is how the creek was running during the rain on Monday. Photo by volunteer Joan.
We released 3,700 coho smolts last Thursday. It rained Monday, and the creek was running awfully dirty. I will add a photo by another volunteer of the dirty creek.
This has been happening for many years on Byrne Creek. We pray for no rain following a coho smolt release, because if road wash enters the creek while the coho are still in the system, they die by the hundreds.
Recent research by Dr. Jen McIntyre at Washington State University points to a chemical in tires that is toxic particularly to coho.
I met a City staffer for a walkabout. I counted four or five dozen dead smolts beteween the sediment pond and the downstream side of Byrne Bridge.
There were several happy herons about, and with this kill likely occuring Monday/Tuesday, probably dozens if not hundreds of dead smolts had been scarfed already. Mother Nature’s cleanup crew is fast and efficient!
Northern Flicker Grooming in SE Burnaby
I came upon this Northern Flicker near Taylor Park in SE Burnaby, BC, on my morning walk. It flew up onto the wire and began grooming.
Shooting Raindrops at Deer Lake
I had fun shooting raindrops at Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC, this morning.
Rainy Colors, Assorted Beasts at Deer Lake
We walked around Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC, in the rain this morning. There were lovely colors, and a few birds ‘n beasts along the way.
Pied-billed Grebe
As the trees leaf out, it’s getting harder to see the Great Blue Herons nesting
Northern Flicker
American Bullfrog?
Nap time
Grumpy Eagle in the Rain at Deer Lake
This Bald Eagle didn’t appear to be very happy with the cool, wet weather at Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC, this morning.
To Bee or Not to Bee, What a Silly Question
To bee or not to bee, what a silly question . . . We wuvz bees!
Historic Stewart Farm in south Surrey, BC, today.
Raptor Staredown on Byrne Creek – Bald Eagle vs Barred Owl
Raptor staredown on Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC, this evening. Bald Eagle vs Barred Owl.
Yumi had seen a Barred Owl a few times in the ravine over the last few weeks, but while I’d heard them several times, I hadn’t spotted one. This evening she took me out for look, and we came across two photographers shooting this scene.
The birds were perhaps 20-30 meters apart, and didn’t take their eyes off each other.
