I’m thinking that with that bright white edge on the anal fin, that’s a coho salmon fry in Byrne Creek today.
Yay!
Reassured to see that everyone keeps a good social distance on the ravine trails!
Covid Distancing Walk in South Burnaby, BC
Covid distancing walk in south Burnaby along the Skytrain track between Edmonds and 22nd stations today. The urban trail is 2+ meters wide, and there were only a few other folks out and about.
Thank you wind and sky for putting on a great show!
That’s Yumi in the bottom left corner about to be transported 🙂 This is why a slightly dirty camera lens is not always a bad thing. . .
Excellent Hokusai Documentary on Knowledge Network
Just watched Old Man Crazy to Paint on Knowledge Network on the life of Hokusai.
Excellent documentary. Renowned artists and art historians are interviewed on the verge of tears in appreciation of his amazing artistic career, talent, and lifelong dedication.
He completed one of his most famous paintings at the age of 90 just months before he died.
Yumi and I have been fortunate to see some of his works in Tokyo and Washington, DC, and have a book of collected works, but this documentary also uses 8K super high-def video to reveal some his secrets and the incredible detail that makes up his best works.
Astounding.
Keep Yer Paws and Yer Spirits Up!
In this time of social distancing, I am grateful to have a loving pet. Sora the Cat keeps us on our toes while working from home!
From providing goofy breaks from the computer, to holding hands while napping, she’s a constant presence.
Keep yer paws and spirits up!
And get plenty of rest : – )
Healthy Social Media Habits in Times of Trouble
Lets be careful on social media. I spend a lot of time on Facebook and Twitter, and these days even more. While we should always be careful online, these days we need to be even more vigilant.
Please don’t reflexively repost anything without reading it first. Completely. And after you’ve read it, put some of your elementary school social studies skills to use, and ask some simple questions.
What is the source?
Are there other independent sources?
Do these sources have consistent, reliable track records?
When was it first published? Are you reposting something taken out of context from weeks or months or years ago?
What is the tone of the message? Is it overly negative or positive? Is there a hidden agenda?
I’m sure we can all slow down and think of other simple ways to test the messaging. I know I can get excited and start clicking my way down multiple rabbit holes.
Now is a good time to slow down and think more. . .
Social Distancing with Birds and Salmon Fry
We’re still doing Byrne Creek walks in SE Burnaby, being careful to give others a wide berth on the trails. Lots of wildlife out there to enjoy!
We spotted this Northern Flicker in Ron McLean Park checking out some real estate.
There were lots of Green-Winged Teal in the Byrne Creek overflow pond
A Hooded Merganser couple hanging out in a ditch near the Baraga Community Gardens in SE Burnaby
I like all the angles with this sparrow
This Golden-Crowned played hide and seek, but I finally got a few good shots
A Pileated Woodpecker at a backyard feeder
Looking for salmon fry. We spotted a few in the creek over a week ago, but had been skunked ever since. But today we saw a few more. Yay!
Yumi found this mayfly larva
This python nearly dropped on us from a tree in Byrne Creek Ravine Park. Keep an eye out, folks! 🙂
Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker in Byrne Creek Ravine Park
We heard several Pileated Woodpeckers on our Byrne Creek Ravine Park walk in SE Burnaby today. As we were following one to get a photo, Yumi nearly walked into this hawk on a branch only five or six feet off the ground.
It was so weird, we didn’t even notice it until we were just a couple of meters away. It sat there for 10 – 20 seconds eyeing us before it dove into the ravine.
A magical moment!
Here’s the Pileated Woodpecker we were seeking after hearing its call. There were at least two in the area.
Take a Dose of Nature in these Trying Times
Another lovely Byrne Creek ravine walk with my now working-from-home love today. A few more folks than usual out enjoying the trails in the sunshine. I guess more are staying home, but wanting to stretch their legs.
And being properly cautious to give each other a healthy distance when passing on the trails.
If possible, enjoy the outdoors. It’s good not only for the body, but also the mind.
We are animals, physical beings, and we need to move. So many health issues are exacerbated by sedentary habits.
I find great solace in nature. The burbling creek, the wind rustling the trees, the plants of many shapes and sizes and colors budding as spring approaches.
We need to feel the sun on our faces, the breeze in our hair.
The birds and squirrels playing peekaboo, the wee salmon fry popping out of the gravel in the creek.
Frenetic modern life is slowing. That has its ups, and its downs, eh?
I hope that when we’re past this that people can remember the slower, more grounded pace that we can exist at.
Still Getting in Our Near-Daily Ravine Walks
Working from home means we can take our near-daily Byrne Creek Ravine Park walks in SE Burnaby any time of day.
Today we headed out just after lunch, and spotted a lovely thrush on the upper trail.
A Powerful Experience With PTSD
We love you, John, thank you for your courage, for sharing, and your service.
I missed this article a few days ago. So powerful.
I met John many years ago through community volunteering, at which he excelled at participating in.
Folks in the Edmonds area of Burnaby missed him after he was posted to other duties following a period in charge of the SE Burnaby Community Police Office.
He’s the cop that you’d see walking along, and two or three folks in the ‘hood would come up and have a group hug with him.
Would love to take you on another walk on Byrne Creek some day, like we did many years ago.
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/a-veteran-mountie-shares-his-struggles-with-ptsd-hoping-it-will-encourage-others-to-seek-help/