Monthly Archives: May 2017

Nature, Photography

Fraser Foreshore Park Nature Ramble

Yumi and I had a wonderful stroll in Burnaby’s Fraser Foreshore  Park today.


Yumi playing with cottonwood fluff

Fraser Foreshore Park nature
Lovely dragonfly


Shh. . . Amateur naturalist at work!


We were concerned about these tadpoles — they were huge — ranging from 12 -15cm in appearance. Dunno if we have anything that large native in BC. . . Have reported the sighting to the City.

UPDATE: 5/29 — several local naturalists have chimed in that these are bullfrog tadpoles, not native to BC, and potentially very destructive of indigenous wildlife. City of Burnaby has no bullfrog program.

Nature, Photography

Deer, Moose Near Barkerville and Bowron Lake, BC

While I was camping north of Quesnel (see previous post) I took a leisurely cruise to Barkerville and Bowron Lake Provincial Park, and saw several deer and moose.


Spot the moose!


Zooming in. . .

deer moose barkerville bc
Zooming in more. . .

Oh, yeah, in the interest of public safety, here’s a PSA: I took all these shots from inside my car. Deer can be unpredictable — the ones in these photos actually approached my car as if expecting a handout. They look cute, but they can jump and kick better than most karateka.

As for moose, they are moody and unpredictable. They may ignore you, or you may have 2.5 seconds to play back your life as they charge.

Camping, Fishing, Photography, Travel

Camping at Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park

I tacked a few days on to my trip to Quesnel for SEP2017, the BC-wide streamkeepers workshop, so that I could relax and camp for a couple of days. Here are some shots from the road trip, and  a lovely stay at Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park. All of these photos were taken with my new Canon SX720HS.

Quesnel road trip Ten Mile Lake
Here’s an example of the amazing 40X optical zoom, from widest to the telephoto limit.


The view a few steps from my campsite


Killdeer


Loon

Ten Mile Lake
White-winged Scoter at Ten Mile Lake north of Quesnel, BC. This is the first time I’ve seen this bird.


One of humankind’s greatest inventions :-). The folding chair with built-in cup holder.


OK, so I got a pack of dogs at Wal-Mart for $2.99, but at least I paired them with a baguette!


At the campfire wearing my Vancouver Half-Marathon T from a few years back. Hot dogs and beer — the athletes dinner. . .


Lots of trout jumping in the lake


The view from the fishing-only dock


There were several frogs near the boat launch


I admired this cute furball — it didn’t solicit any treats from me, just happily munched away on a healthy natural diet

Photography, Technology, Uncategorized

Got My Eager Fingers on My New Canon 720HS

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Despite being a Nikon SLR/DSLR user for over 40 years, I’ve always been partial to Canon point-and-shoots, particularly the Elph series for their teeny size and good quality.

I carry a camera 99% of the time, and the Elph series is shirt pocketable, if that’s a word. Yeah, yeah, I know the world has moved on to cell phones, but I still like a quality optical zoom and the ability to use various exposure modes.

My last Elph series, a 520HS, has been carried daily for several years, and has been battered and bruised. The nail in its coffin was a scratch on the lens that’s become an irritant.

So I’ve upgraded to a Canon SX720HS that was on sale for $110 off through the Canon Canada website. I got my eager fingers on it today, and am impressed, though a bit disappointed in how much larger it is. More like a cargo-pant pocket camera, or I could put the included case on my belt and look even more the nerd : -).

But then again, the 720’s capabilities are a fair jump beyond the 520’s, so it’s a more than fair trade-off.

The retiring 520 and the new 720:

Canon 520HS Canon 720HS

Fishing, Food, Nature, Photography, Streamkeeping

DFO Community Advisor’s Last Fish Release on Burnaby’s Byrne Creek

Kids from Clinton Elementary in south Burnaby helped Byrne Creek Streamkeepers volunteers and DFO release coho smolts (yearling salmon) in Byrne Creek today.

It was a bittersweet event, as it was the last release on Byrne with retiring DFO Community Advisor Maurice Coulter-Boisvert.

But we’re very happy that long-time tech Scott is taking over Maurice’s role. Looking forward to working with you!

Byrne Creek coho smolt release
DFO and City of Burnaby staff share a laugh. It was that kind of uplifting day, and event, eh?


Byrne Creek Streamkeepers stalwart and Stream of Dreams co-founder Joan helps connect the kids to nature


Maurice on the salmon life cycle


Joan demonstrates proper fish release technique


Lining up to take fish down to the creek. The excitement is palpable. . . : – )


Netting coho smolts out of the tank, and putting them in baggies for the kids


Helping hands guide excited kids for a safe release


Look at them go!


Volunteer Ray points out how the fish quickly change color to match their new surroundings


They are so beautiful. Thanks so much to the volunteers at Kanaka Creek who raise these cuties!


Don’t mess with this crew : -)

Fishing, Nature, Photography, Streamkeeping, Sustainability

Spring Bug Count on Byrne Creek

Byrne Creek Streamkeepers Society volunteers sampled nine sites on the creek today for bugs — AKA aquatic invertebrates. The types and quantities of bugs found are an indicator of water quality.

Byrne Creek Bug Counting
After the bugs are collected using D-nets, we retire to a volunteer’s home to count in comfort, accompanied by coffee, tea, and muffins.


Caddisfly


Growing collection of mayflies


A cool aquatic snail