Red-necked Grebes

Another interior aquatic bird that comes to the coast in winter, wearing its drab winter colours.

Last winter, when these were taken, I saw more of these Grebes off the Westview wharf
than any previous year, whatever that may be worth. This year's birds have already
arrived, I spotted some 2 weeks ago.

Like Loons and other diving birds their legs are set so far back that they're ungainly on land.

A Townsite Gate

Virginia Creeper and a Townsite gate. On Marine Avenue's "Management Row".

Saturday Keelboat Race

The Powell River Yacht Club's Fall Keelboat Race Season is currently ongoing, every

Saturday morning at 10am, weather permitting. Though that does not mean the sun

must be shining, aptly demonstrated by this photo from last October.

The Westview wharf is a great vantage point to watch from,

or take photos from.

At Hammil Lake

It's been some years since I've been here, but it hasn't changed much in the interim.

Lindsay Park

October at Lindsay Park

The Colours of Autumn

The last of the grapevine leaves on the fencing at Putters.

Rhodo

An October Rhododendron in an appropriate planter at

River City Auto on Franklin Avenue, last Thursday.

Bonaparte's Gulls

This time of year I like to stand on the Westview wharf and watch the little Bonaparte's Gulls

gracefully skimming the surface of the water looking for minnows. Above is an adult

bird, and below is a youngster, still with a mottled brown colouring on its wings.

They miss their catch on most attempts, but with a bit of patience one can
sometimes see one enjoying lunch.

Inclement Weather

When the weather is poor in front of Westview, it is always worse on the other side of Grief Point, and it is

common to see a southbound tug and her logboom marking time in the waters off the Seawalk till the weather clears.

Which is what the Inlet Knight spent most of a day doing during some recent inclement weather. She was joined in

mid-afternoon by the Yucata. (And I only got slightly damp taking these.)

The Haul Road Tunnel

It was early in 1973 that they finished installing this tunnel under "the cut", the section of highway between Westview

and the Townsite, and they've been hauling logs through it ever since, not, on occasion, without mishap. There have been

several times when a large load didn't quite make it through.

I've photographed this scene several times, this one dates from September 2011.

At Filberg Park - Comox - Take Two

Comox's Filberg Park is 9 acres of parkland just blocks from the downtown core.

Formerly a private residence, the park features Filberg Lodge, a 1930's

era heritage home that must have been a joy to live in.
I was there the tail end of September.

At Filberg Park - Comox

On a quick day-trip to Comox 3 weeks ago, with some time to spare, I made a little

side trip to Comox's Filberg Park, and caught this young thing

with its head in the begonias.

Pied-billed Grebe

Pied-billed Grebes are a year-round bird in Powell River, but in the winter months we see

more of them as interior birds migrate to the coast. The bird books say they prefer

fresh water lakes, and you'll find them on Cranberry Lake and Duck Lake often, but

every winter I spy one or two near shore on the chuck.

And if you get up early enough, you might even catch one doing its calisthenics.

Crossing McFall Creek

The trestle over McFall Creek that connects the Kingfisher Trail to the McFall Creek Trail, in Millennium Park.

Another skookum job by the BOMB Squad.

Supervising

Fraser River Pile and Dredge recently spent a morning dredging out the

mill pond at the log dump. Here we have a worker, hands busy, and a

supervisor, hands in pockets. 'Twas ever thus.

The Curve of Time

The Curve of Time - a boat with  bit of history. She was built in Holland in 1959, and fished commercially as a North Sea

trawler until 1984, when she was purchased by Greenpeace. She was the Moby Dick then, and an internet search of

"greenpeace moby dick" will give you a hint of the many Greenpeace campaigns she partook in.  In 1997 Moby Dick was purchased

by Due West Charters. They renamed her Curve of Time - the name comes from the title of the book by  M. Wylie Blanchet,

herself an interesting person in the history of coastal BC.

Due West converted her to a charter boat, with accommodation for 10 guests, and she is available for  research and commercial

charters. The Curve of Time has been a local boat since January of this year, tied up in the South Harbour.

Duck Lake - Another View

Another view of Duck Lake, taken the same day as Tuesday's photo.

This one taken from the bridge over Lang Creek.

Scratching An Itch

An unusual one from the archives.
Even Great Blue Herons need to scratch that itch, though they have a better scratcher.

Stuffed Shirts

Part of the seasonal display in the lower concourse of the Rec Complex.

Overcast

The South Harbour from the Seawalk on a dull day.

Duck Lake

It makes a pretty picture.

Whale Watchers

Campbell River Whale Watching Adventures at the South Harbour. On talking to the guide it

seems there are so many Humpback Whales locally that the tours are spending some time in the area.

Here they were stopping for lunch. No whales that morning, they were looking for better luck in the PM.

That guide is a trusting soul, he left the keys in. With two 300HP Yamahas on

the back, that thing must go! Would you be tempted?

At The Log Dump - 2

Watching the man at work.

Late Bloomer

At Veteran's Memorial Park two days ago.

At The Creek

We should soon see Chum Salmon at Willingdon Creek. Last year this bird was there

to greet them, a very young Bald Eagle.

End Of The Season

A few weeks back I saw this being towed down the Strait. It's a fishing lodge - the sign says

"North Island Lodge", one of the 3 lodges of the West Coast Fishing Club, and the only

one of the 3 that floats. It's based in the Queen Charlottes, off Langara Island, and

with the end of the fishing season, will over-winter in the south.