This Belted Kingfisher was not very approachable. We played follow the leader for about half an hour today near Historic Stewart Farm in south Surrey, BC, before it tired me out!
Chilling With the Birds at Fraser Foreshore Park
Despite it being cold and wet, we spent a few hours at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby this morning. We started from Byrne Road and walked east to the meadow, back to Byrne, and then out west to Sussex Creek and back.
Initially it was quiet, but eventually we started seeing lots of birds.
Brown Creeper. I love watching these cute little birds creep up a tree, flutter down to the bottom, and start over again.
Cormorant
Eurasian Collared Doves
Northern Flicker
Great Blue Heron
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Green-winged Teal
Squint Lake Birds in Burnaby
We’d never been to Squint Lake in Burnaby before. I don’t know if I’d call this tiny body of water a lake, but there were plenty of birds enjoying it.
Ring-necked Duck
Wood Duck couple
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Mother Nature’s Jewels
Mother Nature’s jewels. Seen on our patrol for salmon spawning in Byrne Creek in #Burnaby today.
My 2021 Wildlife Calendar Arrived Today
My calendar for 2021 arrived today. Last year I made a calendar of Japan photos, and this year I did a selection of my wildlife shots over the course of 2020.
I got five copies made, one for me, one for Yumi, one for Yumi’s folks, and a couple more to share as the opportunity arises.
Bejeweled Webs at Deer Lake in Burnaby
There was an area along the western boardwalk at Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC, today that had many webs bejeweled with dew.
Sullen, Beautiful Day at Deer Lake in Burnaby
I roamed Deer Lake in #Burnaby, BC, for a few hours today. It was overcast but the light was lovely. Here’s a mix of scenic views, assorted flora, fungi, mosses, lichens, etc.
Birding at Deer Lake, Burnaby, BC
It was a sullen day, but still quite a few birding photo opportunities at Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC.
Cormorant
Cormorant and Canada Geese
Bufflehead male with several females
American Coots
Gull, American Coot, Mallard
Pied-Billed Grebe with fish
Some kind of wren?
UPDATE: According the the hive mind at iNaturalist this is a Pacific Wren. Thanks!
Wonderful Morning Chasing Feathered Friends at Fraser Foreshore Park
I spent several hours chasing birds at Fraser Foreshore Park in south Burnaby, BC, this morning.
Great Blue Heron
Junco
Spotted Towhee
Steller’s Jay
Male Wood Duck
Female Wood Duck
Gadwall
Black-capped Chickadee
Sparrows
Eurasian Collared Dove
Snowberries
Rights, Anti-Maskers, and Deniers
Some time ago I wrote about the increasing polarization in society between those who understand the need to hunker down and follow the recommendations of health authorities, and those who are getting increasingly irrational about imaginary abuses of their “rights.”
As I surmised back then, that polarization is increasing, and more people are acting out, threatening fellow citizens, and our entire health-care system.
I am not an expert in constitutional law, nor am I a scientist, or a doctor. But I respect people who have dedicated decades of their lives to education and research.
Conversely, I have decreasing patience for adults who refuse to listen, refuse to learn, and refuse to behave in ways respectful of the health and well-being of their fellow citizens.
There is overwhelming evidence that Covid is real, and that it kills. And that it kills and seriously sickens not only the elderly. Those who survive it carry scars both physical and emotional that could last their entire lives.
So how is wearing a mask in public spaces such a horrific imposition?
I am tired of folks testing, stretching, and bending the rules. When in doubt follow the precautionary principle, not “can I get away with this” childishness.
If your group activity, be it sports, be it religion, be it whatever, is not on a list, just assume the better choice would be to use caution and stay within your family, or your small bubble.
“Well, gee, we didn’t see dodgeball for 50-to-55-year-olds on the list, so we thought it was OK,” just doesn’t cut it, eh?
Don’t turn on Dr. Henry. I see more posts along the lines of loving her in March, but hating her now. How the heck is that logical? She has little control over where this is going, especially if we can’t follow the rules.
And give her, and all the scientists and health-care professionals working on this some space. I know it drives some people crazy that science and medicine is constantly shifting. That advice changes. That recommendations and regulations change.
But that’s how it works. You trial something, you see the results, you trial again. . .
Yes, we’re tired. Yes, we’re stir-crazy. Yes we miss family and friends.
I haven’t seen an 88-year-old aunt since March, though she lives a five-minute drive away. We talk at least every week on the phone. Sad, but that’s the current situation.
Can we please keep on keeping on, and stay safe?
UPDATE (Dec. 12, 2020): I submitted this to the Burnaby Now as an opinion piece and it was published today.