Category Archives: Photography

Nature, Photography

South Burnaby Birds ‘n Bees

I love our ‘hood — it’s wonderful living next to a ravine park with lots of birds and other wildlife Here are some shots taken today.

barred owl burnaby bc
Barred Owl fledgling

american robin worms burnaby bc
American Robin gathering lunch for its family

bee blossom burnaby bc
Busy bee

cedar waxwing Burnaby BC
Cedar Waxwing on the Byrne Creek dyke

northern flicker family burnaby bc
Northern Flicker family on the Byrne Creek dyke

northern flicker byrne creek ravine burnaby bc
Northern Flicker Byrne Creek Ravine Park

Hiking, Nature, Photography, Travel

Joffre Lakes ParkBus Ambassador

At the lowest Joffre Lake today.
paul joffre lake bc

I got a summer weekends gig through early October being an Ambassador on ParkBus that picks up hikers in downtown Vancouver and delivers them to Joffre Lakes past Pemberton on the Sea to Sky.

I give them the standard “don’t pick any flowers, pack out your garbage, and don’t pet the grizzly bears” orientation before sending them off 🙂.

They’re on their own to hike as many of the lakes as they’re able in five to six hours, and then I make sure everyone gets back to the bus and bring them home.

The Joffre Lakes trails have gotten crowded over the years, so First Nations, Parks, etc., got together and came up with a management plan.

You now need a (free) permit to hike the lakes to limit congestion, and services like ParkBus are helping to reduce vehicle traffic and parking.

It makes a lot more sense to transport up to 50 or so folks on a bus than having, say, 25 dual-occupancy private cars making the trip.

Nature, Photography, Streamkeeping, Sustainability, Travel

SEHAB Meeting on the Sunshine Coast, BC

We had a SEHAB (Salmonid Enhancement & Habitat Advisory Board) meeting on the Sunshine Coast over the last weekend.

SEHAB meeting Sunshine Coast BC

We stayed at the wonderful Linwood House, visited the Chapman Creek hatchery, and participated in a Sockeye fry release into Sakinaw Lake.

SEHAB is a volunteer board that represents DFO Community Advisors’ geographical areas from across British Columbia. Board members receive no compensation, but meeting expenses are covered. We have a fabulous treasurer who stretches our modest meeting budget.

The board meets three times a year, collating information from community stewardship groups, and taking key issues to DFO Regional Headquarters to inform mangement and the Minister.

I have had the priviledge of being on the board initially as an alternate and then a full member for about 12 years now. The breadth of fishy experience and knowledge in the room is amazing, and I am always learning.

For example, I was not aware that Sakinaw Lake sockeye are on the verge of extinction. The restocking effort by volunteers and DFO is an attempt to stave this off, but the outlook is not good with climate change warming the lake to temperatures detrimental to salmon. Fingers crossed. . .

Thanks to all the local folks who shared their good work with us!