Great Blue Heron at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC, this afternoon with autumn tones. . .
Volunteers Finding Lots of Chum Salmon in Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC
Got out to take some photos and videos of the Chum salmon that volunteers have been spotting in the lower ravine area of Byrne Creek.
In this video there are at least two females digging redds (nests in the gravel/cobble) and several males hoping to add their milt to the process after the females release their eggs. . .
The females flip sideways and use their tails to scoop a depression to deposit their eggs into.
First Chum Salmon Spotted in Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC
A couple of volunteers from the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers Society in #Burnaby, BC, spotted the first Chum salmon spawners of the year today.
This is so exciting, because our Chum returns have been very low the last few years. It’s great that they are back!
When I heard the news, I ran down to get some photos and videos, since it was my day off.
Here’s a video:
And a photo of a female Chum turning sideways to dig a nest (redd) in the gravel and cobble with her tail. She’ll eventually deposit her eggs in the depression that she is making. There were a couple of males keeping close tabs on her, to scoot in and fertilize the eggs.
Remembering Choco the Cat
A FB memory post popped up in my feed tonight from October 20, 2018:
Choco the Cat, who was a fiercely independant gal, increasingly sought our comfort in her ending days. She was always a cuddler, but on her terms.
Here we are watching a football game, and I had the sound turned down to zero so as not to bother her. I cuddled her like this for the entire game. . . .
Choco crossed the bridge a few months after this photo. Seeing it again brought tears to my eyes. She was always such a feisty, take-no-guff girl, until illness and age slowed her down.
It took us many months before we were ready to adopt another kitty from the BCSPCA.
And for many years now, Sora has filled our hearts with love and joy.
But Choco, as all pets-companions, will always have her special place in our hearts.
Chum Salmon at Cariboo Dam Fish Ladder in Burnaby
Chum Salmon at the Cariboo Dam fish ladder at the east end of Burnaby Lake in Burnaby, BC, today.
Big Beauties!
Salmon Jumping in the Nicomekl River, South Surrey, BC
Some mediocre photos at extreme range of salmon jumping in the Nicomekl River in south Surrey, BC, this morning. Perhaps chinook as they looked impressively large. . .
Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker at Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC
Long before I finally spotted this Kingfisher, I heard its distinctive chatter up and down the river.
Then as I was nearing the parking lot, I heard the drumming of a small woodpecker, and got to within a few meters of this Downy Woodpecker.
Red-tailed Hawk at Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC
Saw this beauty come soaring over the field on the west side of Byrne Road at Foreshore Park in #Burnaby, BC. Then about half an hour later on the return leg of my ramble I came across it, or another Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree.
Things I’m Grateful For on Canadian Thanksgiving
Thankful for the soft, sleepy cat cuddling on my lap. . .
Thankful for the autumn colours outside the window. . .
Thankful for the light rain that will bring salmon back to spawn in the creek out the back gate. . .
Saving the Govt and Taxpayers Millions on the Environment
Was listening to a presentation the other day about the potential establishment of Environmentally Sensitive Areas in BC. A work in progress. . . .
I thought I’d save the government and taxpayers millions of dollars and a lot of time in research and consulting and mapping, so I drew this map. . .
You’re welcome 