Category Archives: Nature

Nature, Photography

Byrne Creek Birds ‘n Beasts in Burnaby

We took a long walk along Byrne Creek and around Byrne Creek Ravine Park in SE #Burnaby today, as we do several times a week. Good to see people physically distancing, but getting some exercise and fresh air.

We love to spot birds and bees and other beasts as we ramble the trails. Today was a good day. . .
Great Blue Heron

northern flicker burnaby bc
Thrush


Flicker

peekaboo cat burnaby bc
Peekaboo cat

reflection in bubbles burne creek burnaby bc
I didn’t realize that Yumi and I are reflected in all of these bubbles in the sediment trap until I downloaded the photos!

goldenrod crab spider burnaby bc
I am by no means an expert in arachnids, but poking around online makes me think this is Goldenrod Crab Spider. It was tiny, as you can see in the next photo of where Yumi spotted it on a dandelion.

spotted towhee burnaby bc
Spotted Towhee
american robin burnaby bc
There were lots of robins about

Nature, Photography

Eagle Creek Walk in Burnaby Yields Flickers, Woodpeckers

We had an order to pick up in north Burnaby today, so we took the opportunity to stretch our legs on trails near Eagle Creek and Squint Lake. Access to the lake was closed, but other trails were open, and there were almost no people using them.

Happy to spot a Northern Flicker grooming, a Downy Woodpecker, and assorted flora.

northern flicker burnaby bc

downy woodpecker burnaby bc

walking eagle creek burnaby bc


It’s interesting that in some parts of Burnaby salmonberry blossoms are nearly done, while in other areas they’re still strong. Different elevations and microclimates. . .

Food, Nature, Photography, Sustainability

Starting My Victory Garden

Another home project: got 60 liters of soil and a bag of seed potatoes.

We don’t have garden space to speak of aside from our townhouse balcony, but we do have a wood half-barrel that we can move to a sunny spot beside the garage.

The barrel is in pretty sad shape, with the hoops fallen like old socks, but the wood is still pretty solid so I think with some TLC I can revive it.

Haven’t grown potatoes in over 40 years, but this should be fun.

potato barrel
Moving the old barrel into place and fixing it up a bit


Adding soil and seed potatoes


Finished. Plenty of room to add soil as plants grow. . .

Yumi is the green thumb in our little family, but she says I’m on my own for this one .

Total cost was $6.50 for the soil, some of which Yumi will use for potted plants and flowers to help support our balcony mason bee box. Add a buck or two for the seed potatoes, and if my foray into farming is not very successful, it’s not like we’ll be out a big investment!

Japan, Nature, Photography, Travel

Photo Review & Sorting Project Reveals Cool Photos

I have reached the end of 2007 in my stay-at-home review of my photo archives. Deleting some redundant shots, and posting some old “finds” to FB.

Here are a few from today:

garter snake byrne creek burnaby bc
Northwestern Garter Snake on the Byrne Creek dike in SE Burnaby, BC in October, 2007. We used to run across snakes at least a few times every summer, but the last few years sighting have dwindled to near zero.


Black-Crowned Night Heron in Inokashira Park in western Tokyo, Japan, October 2007.

black-crowned night heron Tokyo Japan
Juveniles?

ruddy kingfisher nagasaki japan
Ruddy Kingfisher, Nagasaki, Japan, fall 2007.

koi nagasaki japan
Koi, Nagasaki, Japan, fall 2007.

egret nagasaki japan
Egret, Nagasaki, Japan, fall 2007

herons hiroshima japan
Herons on the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Japan, fall 2007.


In this overall view, the herons are top right, on the flashing at the second ring from the top.