Category Archives: Nature

Nature, Photography, Society, Streamkeeping, Sustainability

BCIT Journalism Student Interview about Urban Creeks

BCIT journalism student Chris met me on Byrne Creek in SE #Burnaby, BC, to shoot some vid and interview me about urban creeks.

We talked about water quality and water quantity issues in urban areas, infiltration and rain gardens, and what folks can do to help protect their local oases of nature.

As the rain came down Chris assured me that I could go home while he got some extra shots of the roaring creek :-).

Good job, Chris!

bcit journalism student interview on byrne creek in burnaby bc

Nature, Photography

North 40 Reserve Park, Historic Stewart Farm Walkabout

We headed out to the North 40 Reserve Park in Delta, BC, and the Historic Stewart Farm in Surrey, BC.

It was quiet at both sites, but got a few wildlife/nature shots.

I didn’t feel like carrying Big Bertha, my 150-600mm Tamron, so all of these were shot with an 18-400mm Tamron using an FTZ adapter on a Nikon Z50.

And thank you to Yumi, my amazing spotter. Always good to have a second set of eyes along that also love nature and wildlife!

bald eagel north 40 park delta bc
Bald Eagle at North 40

red-tailed hawk north 40 delta bc
Red-tailed Hawk at North 40

northern harrier north 40 park delta bc
Northern Harrier at North 40

top of the hill north 40 park delta bc
North 40 view

historic stewart farm view
Historic Stewart Farm in Surrey, BC

golden-crowned kinglet stewart farm surrey bc
Golden-crowned Kinglet at Historic Stewart Farm

ruby-crowned kinglet historic stewart farm surrey bc
Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Historic Stewart Farm

Nature, Photography, Streamkeeping

Coho Salmon in Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC

Coho Salmon returning to spawn in Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC.

Coho Salmon spawning in Byrne Creek in Burnaby BC

Coho are usually very shy, and while this one appeared to be pretty fresh and in good condition, it was not hiding. . .

Hmm. In the last photo you can see Yumi has walked past it, and it still hasn’t flushed. You can see the Coho at the bottom left of the photo.

Possibly affected by 6PPD-quinone tire chems off the roads?We have had repeated kills of Coho salmon in Byrne Creek for well over ten years, both at the smolt stage and the spawner stage.

Nature, Photography

Relaxed Heron on Stoney Creek in Burnaby, BC

While we were looking for salmon spawning in Stoney Creek in NE Burnaby, BC, today, this Great Blue Heron came gliding in and landed beside the creek.

It was very chill — we followed it around for 10-15 minutes taking photos.

great blue heron stoney creek burnaby bc

We noticed it was watching both the creek and the bank. It was likely looking for smaller fish like trout that gather to try to steal salmon eggs when salmon are spawning,  and perhaps also keeping an eye on the bush anticipating rodents nibbling on salmon carcasses. . .
Nature, Photography, Travel

I’ll Always Love Saskatchewan Skies

Grain elevators in the distance against a brooding, snow-coming-soon sky during a trip to Saskatchewan last week.

Grain elevators against a grey Saskatchwan wintry sky

I left Saskatchewan in the mid-80s, but damn, I’ll always love those skies. . . Sunny, stormy , . .

They are all gorgeous.

I lived and worked in Japan for nearly 15 years, and since then I’ve lived on Canada’s west coast for over 20 years, and love the mountains, the ocean, the rivers.

But I’ll always be a Saskatchewan boy at heart.