Spawner Patrols Winding Down on Byrne Creek

Yumi and I headed out for a spawner patrol on Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby today. The last live salmon were seen nearly a week ago, two coho in the sediment pond. We have not seen any spawners, dead or alive, for several days now, so the run appears to be over. We’ll likely check once or twice more as the weather allows, because we love creek and ravine rambles, fish or not! : – )
Paul Yumi spawner patrol

Sunny and clear. Good visibility.

Covered from confluence with John Mathews to base of stairs in ravine.

Did not see any spawners, dead or alive.

Heron, thrush, mallards… Racoon tracks…

Great Fun ‘Shooting’ Birds at Reifel Today

Yumi and I spent several hours today wandering the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. We try to get down there at least three or four times a year.


This fella reminds me of a story my late Dad used to tell about a psych patient of his who told him: “You know Doc, I get up in the morning, I look in the mirror, and I like what I see.” 

Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
And that confidence was not misplaced as this girl showed up and chased away any other female that got too close . . .


You look for the tallest tree, and there’s where the bald eagles be. . .


This Northern Harrier was trying hard to have duck for lunch


Then a second harrier showed up, assisting in setting off a duck explosion in the reeds, flushing them to try to pinpoint the young, the sick, the old, the weak. . .


Raptors may have me beat for grandeur, and wood ducks for slick colours, but ya can’t get any cuter than wee me! 


We could hear shotguns far off in the distance, but here’s an example of the only kind of wing-shooting I did today


No, I haven’t had any coffee yet today, is it that obvious? You got a comb?


Here’s a parent/kid shot. Good to see the cranes slowly building up their numbers.

Small Wins. . .

I am so proud of myself.

I had two watches that needed new batteries, and I drove to Crystal Mall in Burnaby and had them replaced.

I drove into the underground parking, I parked, I walked up several floors, I walked around and around the mall (it’s circular so you can do laps) while I waited for my watches.

I walked back down into the underground parking — and my car was RIGHT THERE! I didn’t need to go looking for it. SCORE! 

Streamkeeping, sustainability, community, business, photography, books, and animals, with occasional forays into social commentary. Text and Photos © Paul Cipywnyk