It’s interesting and concerning to see more threads on food security on various social media channels. With drought hammering many regions around the world that billions rely on for vegetables and fruit, we need to bring this conversation home to BC and the lower mainland.
A key step, in my opinion, would be to halt all further “development” of green and agricultural spaces. All development, for whatever purpose, be it housing or commercial, should be limited to redeveloping areas previously used for such purposes.
And if we can reduce our footprint and re-green spaces, all the better.
We can keep building condo towers, office towers, malls, and warehouses, but what are all those who want to “live, work, and play” in our wonderful region going to eat as supply chains, er, dry up?
We need to dramatically improve our urban/suburban agriculture game.
All schoolyards should have gardens. Lawns should be replaced with a mix of native plants and edibles. Municipalities should support inititatives that match folks who want to grow gardens and fruit with homeowners who have land but who for various reasons cannot garden.
There are many things we could do if we set our minds and muscles to them!
You may notice a new page tab at the top right of this blog: Writing, Editing, Photography Services.
I’ll be adding information on services I provide.
I have decades of experience as an editor and writer, and have been an avid nature and wildlife photographer since I was a teen. I also do event photography, and have fulfilled contracts with municipalities, NGOs, and associations.
Interesting how perception works, and how your mind can filter what you’re seeing.
I photographed this raptor on July 28 in an area between the tennis courts and Brynlor Dr. on the Byrne Creek trail in Burnaby, BC.
I remember thinking “some kind of hawk” and then forgot to post the photos anywhere. Well, now the iNaturalist hive mind points out it’s a Peregrine Falcon. Duh, looking again, the black cheeks are pretty obvious.
As I recall I’ve only shot a Peregrine once or twice before, one time being at Iona Beach Regional Park near YVR.
My mind just did not expect to see a Peregrine on Byrne Creek, eh?
With some vacay days to use up, we’re doing some daytripping around the BC Lower Mainland. Today we rambled Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. Nice to visit on a weekday, with few people around. Super day!
Here’s a handout I created for a nature walk/wildlife photography tour I led for the City of Burnaby Parks Dept. recently.
Paul Cipywnyk | @paulcip | cipywnyk.com/blog/
City of Burnaby Parks Wildlife/Nature Photography Walk
Ron McLean Park > Byrne Creek Ravine Park > Taylor Park
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Tips for Wildlife & Nature Photography
Take lots of photos!
Carry an extra battery
Carry an extra card
Use a monopod or tripod
Have a friend be a spotter
Listen
Take a slow pace
Study wildlife – read books on birding, tracking, mammals, reptiles, fish, sea life, etc.
Anticipate where you may see wildlife
Adjust your camera settings to your surroundings and lighting. For example, use a higher ISO early in the morning or evening, or in darker areas like forests
Even with Vibration Control, it’s good to keep ISO high enough to ensure a fast shutter speed, particularly with telephoto lenses
Don’t put yourself into dangerous situations
Be respectful of wildlife (Search “ethical wildlife photography” online)
Join iNaturalist to get help with ID, and share your observations
Explore different kinds of habitat
Streams
Rivers
Ponds
Lakes
Beach/Ocean
Forests
Meadows
Marshes
Transition zones between different kinds of habitat are wildlife hot spots
Some good areas in Burnaby
Burnaby Lake
Deer Lake
Barnet Marine Park
Fraser Foreshore Park
Central Park
Local streams
Some good areas in the lower mainland
Reifel Sanctuary
Stewart Heritage Farm
White Rock pier/beach, Crescent Beach
Centennial Beach
Boundary Bay
Check out Metro Vancouver Parks online for lots of great parks
I heard a Belted Kingfisher on a walk near Fraser Foreshore Park in south Burnaby, BC, this morning. I spotted it soon after, and while these birds tend to be skittish, this one sat on a branch long enough to get some decent photographs.
I’ve been nursing a sore foot, so Yumi headed out for a pre-dinner walk on her own. About three minutes later I got a text “Hawk by the hockey court at Ron McLean Park!”
So I grabbed a camera and hobbled over. Yumi was long gone, but I did take about 125 shots and some vid of the gorgeous raptor grooming in a tree.
Despite kids whacking balls around and loud music playing, the
hawk was completely calm. . .
I didn’t even notice the Hummingbird checking out the hawk in this video until I was editing at home 🙂
