Winter Sailing

From the archives : sailing in winter is definitely for the hardy. The photo is dated 2 years ago - if I

ever do a photobook of favourite photos, this will be in it.

Looking Back - Part 2

As noted yesterday, 5 years ago myself and my shooting buddy were at the dikes at Boundary Bay in Delta

on a photo shoot. The winter of 2011-12 was the last big irruption of Snowy Owls, and we were there to

take advantage. At one point I counted 22 Snowies in view, and I have photos of 11, of which these 2 shots top

my list. The above photo I printed 22"x17", and it too is on my "Wall of Fame". An experience not to be forgotten.

Looking Back - Part 1

Five years ago today and tomorrow my shooting buddy and I took a short trip south to the George C. Reifel

Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the dikes at Boundary Bay in Delta, to photograph birds. The trip was an

unqualified success. Today's photos are the top 2 taken at the bird sanctuary, one of the few places in BC

to find Sandhill Cranes. It was a real thrill to have a handful of these large birds saunter past on the trail, close

enough that one could touch them. I settled for the photos, both of which are hanging on my "Wall of Fame".

Tomorrow's post will feature the 2 best photos taken at the Boundary Bay dikes.

At The Beach Gardens

Murphy's Law : - minutes before I arrived those clouds rolled in, minutes after I left,

those same clouds decided to move on. As hotel venues go, this must still be the best in town.

Light Breeze

An exercise in frustration, trying to catch all 4 flags unfurled!

From right to left : the City, Provincial, Sliammon Nation and National flags,

on the logger sports poles at the Amphitheatre.

The Amphitheatre

It looks small, certainly not the Coliseum, the one in Rome or the one in Vancouver, but

they say it seats 2,500 people, and it has a better view than the other two.

In context, 2,500 people is amost 20% of the population of the City of Powell River.

Cormorant

This time of year the Double-crested Cormorant is one of the most common birds at our coastal harbours,

this one occupying the dolphin on the north side of the Westview Wharf. Their namesake

crests won't appear till breeding season.  A dull bird for looks, the only

thing going for them is those aqua-blue eyes.

The Plume

The Catalyst Mill, Powell River's reason for being. Hard to believe I spent almost 25 years of my life

there, and even harder to think I've been retired for almost half that again.

The photo was taken from the North Harbour.

Seaspan Red

The Seaspan Protector and a barge of wood chips, seen from Willingdon Beach. In just a few days those chips will

be coming off the machines at the Mill as many large rolls of paper.

On The Beach Trail

Even in midwinter it's a great place for a family bike ride.

Sunday, January 15th

A great day to include a stroll out to the Willingdon float in the Sunday walk-about.

Steller's Sea Lions

On the rocks of the Mill breakwater. Very big, very noisy, and it's not recommended to get downwind of a group of them!

They are supposedly a "near threatened" species, though one wouldn't know it here, we have more each year it seems.

Snip!

Time for my regular trichological session last week.

Up, Down, Up, Down

There's not a lot of traffic on Verkerk Road. Just as well.

Once Again ...

... we didn't get as much snow in Westview last week as forecast, though they tell me the higher

elevations did get a bit. Here's a shot from the archives, to remind one of what we missed. 

Masts

Checking out the view through the masts of the North Harbour.
Taken from the benches just past the ferry entrance, on the Courtenay St hill.

Frost

I'll never claim to be a winter person, but a frosty morn does present its own photo opportunities.

The Latest Book

I've not been out and about as much as I'd like lately, so today I'm posting indoor photos.

I like to share my photos, and e-mail being what it is - non-permanent - much less that some people

don't have it, photo books are the answer. The final version of this book came back from the printers

late October, immediately solving my Christmas gift giving.

This is my book # 9, hardcover, 13"x11", 238 pages and just under 400 photos - I don't sell them, not least because

a book this size is not inexpensive, but they do make great gifts for those special friends and relatives.

(And yes, the author name is cloned out!)

Barrow's Goldeneye

One of my favourite winter ducks is the male Barrow's Goldeneye. When the light is right, as here,

one can catch the lovey purple iridescence of his head. The female of the species

isn't quite that pretty. These were taken from the beach at the bottom of Penticton

St, and the last photo shows 3 males and 4 females on shore, taking a sip of

water from the little freshet there.

Curious

Checking me out, but I didn't hold its attention for long. These were taken from the dock

at the entrance of the South Harbour, though I've taken similar shots from the

Westview Wharf and the Willingdon float. There are a lot of Harbour Seals here.

Thin Ice - Take 2

The sheen of crystal clear ice on Cranberry Lake from the bottom of Drake St,

with the rock face of Gallager Hill.

Thin Ice

Cranberry Lake, from Parson's Park. The sign pretty much says it all.

Silhouette

Looking over Algerine Passage to the silhouetted mountains of Vancouver Island. Not a single boat

on the water, but a sharp eye will note I caught the flashing light "On", on Rebecca Rock.

The highest peak in the frame, left-ish, is Mount Washington.

The Spar

The local landmark at the mill's log dump, used to off-load logging

trucks. Though when I was there 10 days ago, the engine that runs

the pulley system was kaput, they were pushing log bundles off

the trucks with a forklift.

Ferry Update

After a week or so in port at Manzanillo on the west coast of Mexico, the new Salish Orca is sailing north to Vancouver, as of the 4th.

She will be the replacement ferry for the 50-year old pictured Queen of Burnaby. The photo dates from winter 2009,

but neither the Queen nor the scenery have changed a lot since.

Fools Rush In

And most of them rushed right back out again. Sunday's Polar Bear Swim at Willingdon.

Last Year ...

... Westview saw its first snow of the winter on January 5.

I'm not a great fan of black-and-white, but occasionally it does work better than colour.

Young Baldie

A young Bald Eagle, from the colouring probably about 3-4 years old.

It posed for me on the rocks of the South Harbour breakwater, kindly waiting while

I walked down the ramp and to the end of # 8 float of the harbour.

Foul Weather

And certainly not fowl weather, the morning of New Year's Eve. No sun, intermittent wet snow and light rain

made it a good day to stay in and read that Christmas present, Book Two of Emily Carr's BC.

On A Clear Day ..

... the view of the Comox Glacier is hard to beat. (Though it helps to have a 400mm lens.)

Air Ambulance

One of the few downsides to living in Powell River is the lack of specialized medical care,

and the sight of an air ambulance leaving for the City is a common thing. These

photos were taken Tuesday, just as Helijet was leaving the hospital pad.