I upgraded two DSLRs to the latest firmware today. One was just one version out of date, the other was three versions behind!
Firmware updates can solve glitches with some functions, improve functionality, and add features. Just Google your camera model + firmware update, and see what’s available.
It’s not that hard to upgrade, the key is to read the instructions for your model carefully, and follow them exactly.
I keep forgetting that I have a couple of 40-year-old Nikkor manual lenses that do work on my D7100 DSLR. This 105mm/2.5 would effectively be about a 155mm/2.5 on this body. It’s said that lenses this old are not optimized for digital (though this lens was renowned for sharpness back in its day).
But this ought to make an excellent portrait lens with its f2.5 max aperture. If it is a bit soft compared to modern designed-for-digital glass, so much the better.
We went out to wander around Ft. Langley, BC, today. Frost gave everything a fresh look.
The moon over Burnaby, BC, on a clear, cold night.
I scoured Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC, for spawning salmon this morning but saw none, dead or alive. There could possibly be a few hiding in the shadows of the sediment pond — the sun is so low on the horizon that even on a sunny day it can be hard to see into the pond.
It appears that this year’s salmon run may be drawing to a close on Byrne Creek. Volunteer streamkeepers occasionally see them through the end of November, and rarely into early December. It’s been a decent year for this creek, with a combined total of chum and coho approaching 40 fish.
On the way back up the ravine I took advantage of the post-rain sunshine to get some nature shots along the trail.
A forest in a drop of water
Yumi and I headed out to Boundary Bay in Delta, BC, today. We parked at the end of 72nd, and walked along the dyke a couple of kilometers west of 72nd, back, and a click or so east, and back.
There were lots of Northern Harriers today, among other birds, including a short-eared owl.
I just completed a quick tally of email spawner patrol reports (I may be out a fish or two) and it looks like we’re on track for the best spawner year on Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC, since 2011. So far I think we have processed 28 chum and 4 coho.
It’s a bit hard to compare, because in some recent years we’ve seen many more fish than we’ve eventually found carcasses, even though we’re consistent in areas covered and frequency of patrols. (Extended periods of heavy rain can flush and/or bury carcasses.)
But in terms of comparing carcasses processed (to confirm species, size, sex, and spawning status), we’re looking good.
It also looks good in that most of the female chum found have spawned. Of the two female coho processed so far, one had spawned.
Thanks to all the volunteers going out patrolling, and let’s hope we still get some more fish!
For those curious to know, our best spawner year since fish passage was restored on Byrne Creek at the Fraser outfall about 30 years ago was just over 90 combined chum and coho in 2004.
BTW, volunteer streamkeepers process every salmon carcass found on the creek. We are able to do this because the spawning area can be traversed on foot in an hour to two hours depending on conditions and numbers of fish seen, and because the returns are so low. We do three to five patrols a week from mid-October to late December.
Six hardy souls braved the wind and rain on the Burnaby Parks-sponsored Byrne Creek salmon tour today. The water was high and dirty, and as leader of the tour, I had little hope of seeing salmon. But we persevered and were rewarded by a couple of chum cruising near the surface of the sediment pond! Thank you chum!
It was uplifting to witness the excitement of people seeing salmon in their own neighbourhood for the first time.
Thanks to Byrne Creek Streamkeepers volunteers Ray and Yumi for joining me, and thanks to the three folks who showed up for the tour despite the challenging weather. All expressed interest in potentially participating in other Byrne Creek events!
A ghostly chum in the rain, swimming up the culvert under Southridge Drive in SE Burnaby, BC
Had a good spawner patrol on Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC, today. Volunteer streamkeepers have been tallying spawner returns here for some 15 years or more. Our best year was over 90 combined chum and coho, and this year we’re off to a pretty good start. Seven chum and one coho in this shot.
NOTE: Streamkeepers have training and permission from DFO to walk the creek, look for live salmon returning to spawn, and to collect data on carcasses. Please enjoy the sight of spawning salmon respectfully and do not enter the creek.
