Full Moon Over Burnaby, BC

It was great to squeeze in a one-hour ravine and Burnaby south slope ramble tonight after a solid 1-1/2 days of meetings this weekend.

I felt like this gorgeous full moon was rewarding me and my fellow volunteer Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board members for our efforts over the weekend.

We’re off to Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Regional HQ tomorrow to share highs, lows, and advice from the BC stewardship community.

full moon over Burnaby BC

Full moon over Burnaby, BC

Burnaby Lake Birding with George Clulow

Had a great morning on a Burnaby Parks birding tour of Burnaby Lake led by George Clulow. I believe the outing’s tally was over 35 species of birds. And while it was spitting when we started, the rain stopped for most of the walk. I didn’t  want to carry my DSLR gear on this walk, and my teeny shirt-pocket Canon Elph 520HS did an admirable job of pinch hitting.

burnaby lake birders
The crew

Clulow spotting scope
George brings along his spotting scope and encourages folks to share it

Piper Spit
Heading out on Piper Spit

Redwinged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird

Burnaby lake
Long-billed Dowitcher

Spotted Towhee
Spotted Towhee

Fox sparrow
Fox Sparrow

Beetle

squirrel

Meeting the Herring Whisperer

I’d heard about the great success that Squamish Streamkeepers have had in wrapping pier pilings so that spawning herrings’ eggs are not killed by creosote and other chemicals. Today my wife Yumi and I had a chance to meet Dr. Jonn Matsen at Fishermen’s Wharf on False Creek in Vancouver to see some of the techniques in action.

herring spawning net
Jonn and my wife Yumi hold up a net as a TV news cameraman lines up a shot

herring spawning net
Jonn points out how creosote kills herring eggs. There’s no eelgrass or kelp left around here for more natural spawning sites

herring spawning net
Net suspended in the water from the wharf

herring eggs piling
Closer view of herring eggs on piling

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