Richmond Raptor Festival

There were lots of photographers at the Richmond Raptor Festival today. No wonder, it was a great opportunity to get some cool photos.

Spectacled Owl
A spectacular Spectacled Owl.

Even the bee was going in for a closer look : -).

Falcon
Falcon and trainer

Falcon

Falcon in flight
Falcon in flight — damn they’re fast!

Turkey Vulture
Closest I’ve ever been to a Turkey Vulture

Life is Rough, Eh? Meow…

Life is rough. Here it is, 8:45 on Sunday morning and I’m exhausted.

Finally got the humans up, ordered a bit of soft food and a wee bowl of diluted juice from a can of water-packed tuna on the side, had a group cuddle while they nursed their first coffees…

And I still have the whole day ahead…. I think I’ll have a snooze.

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Kitty Kuddles

Why we love our pets:

I have not succumbed to a brooding summer cold, but have a splitting headache. Today mid-morning I turned out the lights in my office and eased myself down on the floor for a nap, and…

Choco the Cat came in, meowked around a bit, gingerly stepped onto my chest, stretched out, and set the purr machine on 11.

“It’s OK, daddy, I’ll purr you better!”

Super Day Shooting Burnaby Beasts

Took my cameras for walks at Deer Lake Park and Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC, today. Lots of wildlife and sunny views.

Fraser Foreshore Park
Not sure if this is a “good” frog or a young invasive bullfrog sitting on a piece of wood floating in one of the Fraser Foreshore ponds

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Great Blue Heron hanging out near the mouth of Byrne Creek

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Lots going on around the Fraser Foreshore Ponds

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Deer Lake Burnaby BC

Deer Lake Park is overrun with invasive Policeman’s Helmet, but the bees sure love it!

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These frogs also look a bit big and bulbous… Invasive?

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 Deer Lake spider

Refreshing Ramble ‘Round Rice Lake

I couldn’t resist that alliteration  : -).

It was a super morning for a walk around Rice Lake in North Vancouver.

damselflies

At one point I crouched on the shore and fired off over a hundred shots at dragonflies and damselflies, and heard this exchange.

Female voice, whispering behind my back: “What’s he taking so many pictures of?”

Male voice: “Dragonflies in flight. Good luck with that, eh?”

Me later at my computer: “Why thank you. One out of a hundred did turn out OK. Patience, grasshopper, um, damselfy shooter…” : -)

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Rice Lake, North Vancouver

Know Your Subject, Watch That Continuity – My Latest Editors’ Canada Blog Post

Blam! Blam! Black Sombrero fired his Colt .45 at the shadow in the barn, then spun and snapped three shots at the posse approaching across the coral. . .

My latest blog post for The Editors’ Weekly on why factual accuracy and plausibility are important even in fiction.

UPDATE: Aug. 26 — and this is why the world needs editors, lots of them! I don’t know how many sets of eyes went through this without noticing that “coral” should be “corral.”  Blushing. . .

Happy Birthday to Me & Damn I Love Our Cat

Roll-your-own sushi for my birthday. Thank you to my lovely wife Yumi for the delectable feast!

paul choco sushi

And yes, Choco the Cat has officially attained the age of batshit-crazy grandma who doesn’t give a #$%* anymore about proper behaviour. : -)

We don’t have it in us to discipline the old gal in the twilight of her years.  Choco has been a wonderful addition to the family ever since we got her from the Burnaby SPCA many years ago.

She just looks hurt and confused if admonished these days, a noticeable contrast to her youth when she learned quickly.

You have to make adjustments as a beloved companion ages.

We’ve been rearranging furniture, and adding “steps” here and there so she can still get to her favorite places.

Damn I love my kitty, even when she wakes us at 5 am…