Coast Mountains and some thoughts

Saturday afternoon, late before the sunset, I was up on Burnaby Mountain north of where I live to take in the view of the snow-capped mountains to the north.  The photo above is just one of a series taken that afternoon. The scene here looks out toward the mountains from the north side of Burnaby Mountain.  The boats in the bottom of the photo are heading up Indian Arm.  There were a number of boats out that afternoon, including a sailboat.

The temperatures have gotten warmer and are around 10 degrees Celsius at the moment.  The rain is back but there are plenty of signs of spring around.  Crocuses, spring heathers,  forsythias and other spring flowers and shrubs are in bloom now, even the first magnolias.

At work, I have someone working with me into the second week and we get along great.  He's a Gemini, like Brad, and he loves it where he's working now.  If you don't know, I'm a Leo!  It made me think of what it would be like working with Brad.  That was one of the original plans, and I'd see to it happening if he's still interested and up to it.  With a year or two here he'd be a changed man with a broader, deeper understanding of life and what its all about.  It would be awesome to have a hiking companion too!

Well, I'm going to have a quick shower and then head off to bed.  Its nearing 10:30 pm and the morning comes fast enough.  Have a good night, or good day, guys!

~ Volker

sunset Saturday

This was the sunset late Saturday afternoon as seen from the western end of Burnaby Mountain with the sun setting behind Vancouver Island to the west.  I took a whole series of photos but did take a few more after this one before leaving to catch a bus home.  There were a lot of other interested photographers up there with me at the time.  I guess we all had the same idea!  Enjoy!!!  - V

view from Burnaby Mountain

I went up to the top of Burnaby Mountain late this afternoon.  It was warm (nearing 10 degrees Celsius) and because of this, and the fact the water was still cool, a mist/fog had formed over the water of the Georgia Straight and English Bay between the mainland and Vancouver Island.  The took this photo this afternoon nearing sunset.  The view looks to the west-northwest with Capital Hill (Burnaby) in the foreground and downtown Vancouver in the background (left) and the North Shore Mountains on the right.  This is one of several images taken this afternoon.  I'll have more soon.  Meantime, enjoy this one! - V

A couple of days ago I was on my way home on the SkyTrain when I decided to change at Broadway Station and walk over to Commercial Station to continue on home from that point.  Once on the train I noticed a young guy seated ahead of me.  I was standing next to one of the doors not far from him.  He was wearing a cap with flaps similar to this but with cloth, not fur, a patterned design.  This guy also wore a red plaid jacket with a white background plus medium-blue cotton denim jeans and runners.  Under the jacket he had a dark blue cotton shirt with lettering on it.  His face was flushed red, from the colder temperatures outside no doubt.  Our eyes met briefly.  I'm partial to blue or green eyes but brown eyes are okay too.  What's most important is the energy coming from the person.  We can all feel a connection if we feel a positive vibe.  He was on the train when I got on, so must have gotten on at the college, VCC-Clarke.

Later the seat next to him near the window became free and he moved over.  A short while later I decided to sit down where he had been sitting but now next to him.  Busy on his smartphone, his right elbow lightly nudged me in the ribs each time his fingers moved on his device.  It actually felt pleasant, and he also looked a me a couple of times as if wanting to make contact.  Perhaps I should have!  He got off at Lougheed Station but I'm have to wait for another time to introduce myself.  Life doesn't have to be boring.  There are interesting things or adventures around every corner.  What do you think? - V

view at Burnaby Mountain

This past Sunday I went up to Burnaby Mountain in the hopes of taking some photos of the autumn colour but it hasn't progressed as far as other places lower in elevation. The photo above shows alder trees along a road near Simon Fraser University. When they are in colour, they'll be a bright yellow which looks awesome with the sun shining through in the background.
The ferns and moss add to the greenery still present in the area.
The image above looks at the mountains on the northside of Burrard Inlet opposite Burnaby Mountain and the photo below shows the Eagle Mountain area where I had been hiking from the middle to late summer. Eagle Bluff is in the centre of that photo.
Above we look north up Indian Arm opposite Burnaby Mountain. Below is the Western Pearly Everlasting gone to seed way past its beauty of the summer past. You can literally see autumn in the air! There is some colour on the mountain but I suspect more will be had in a week or two. I'll have more photos then, at least that's the plan. Meantime, enjoy these photos!!! - V

Burnaby and more

Late Friday afternoon I had hoped to find the group of longboarders in practice but because of it being Good Friday and Easter in general I wasn't too surprised when I saw no sign of them. I'll catch them again next Friday. Then I'll be coming from work to do the photoshoot.

All was not wasted since I did take some photos just the same. The one above is one of them. There is a hedge in full bloom in the foreground.

I ended up walking to Metrotown SkyTrain station from there rather than take another bus. It was so nice weather-wise but I'm paying the price today with passing blood in my urine. A leaky kidney is the cause and this takes about 24 to 48 hours for all to go back as it was. Its a condition that's left over from 2006 when I developed severely high blood pressure after coming west from Ontario. Its a long story but to make it short a microscopic parasite was at the root of it. Once that was found the matter was resolved rather quickly. A leaky kidney is but one of those things I have to live with for the rest of my life. It doesn't stop me from getting out and enjoying the great outdoors and nature in general. Why should it?

I hope you're having a great Easter weekend!!! Make the most of it! - V

longboarders

Patrick Switzer and his crew of longboarders was in one of the local newspapers here in New Westminster (The Record) last weekend. I'm heading out to the venue where they practice in Burnaby to get some of my own photos of these awesome longboarders in action. They all look like lean-muscled guys with great longboarding skills. The above photo is from PunkStudio with Patrick on the right. Look for more images, including a story along with them! - V

Robert Burnaby Park

After timing my walk to the photo shoot location for next Saturday I walked over to nearby Robert Burnaby Park. These are just some of the photos that resulted from the hike through the park's trails.

The public pool will see a lot more activity once the weather warms up. Here the cherry trees make a lovely backdrop until the activity comes for another season.

The photo above shows a view northward over the tennis court and below another view of one of the few roadways, also looking northward.

I love babbling streams and there are a few in the park as seen above and below!

I even found a few surprises, like trilliums in bloom, and there were a few of them. Back east in southwestern Ontario the woods would have carpets of these flowers and not just a few. There were tree trunks with moss and ferns growing two-thirds of the way up the tree, such as you see in the photo below. There will be more photos soon. Meantime, enjoy these! - V.

Burnaby Mountain early March

Spring came early here! Here are some photos taken during the first weekend of March with the daffodils in full bloom.

If you remember, I left you with a quiz to figure out a few weeks ago. Well, the sculpture piece in the photo above (bottom left) was the source where the moss was growing. You'll see more related photos below.

The cherry trees were just showing their first blooms as you see in the photo above and below. They've since come into complete flower but the last time I was there about a week ago, it was overcast and not a very good backdrop for photos!

The mountains still had some snow but those further in the interior had even more!

You may recognize the pic above from the autumn post when this spartan tree was full of colour. There'll be more photos to follow. I hope you all had a great weekend!!! - V.

the walk

There is a photo shoot coming up a week from today. My client is celebrating her 50th birthday. The house will be decorated and she is expecting all her siblings to come from various parts of the British Columbia interior. I went for a walk this afternoon. The first part was to time the route necessary to the photo shoot location. Its a 20 minute walk, 30 minutes if I doddle! We're all excited! She gets to see her brothers and sisters and I have my first shoot with people. Its a departure from just doing land and seascapes, flora and fauna and the like.

After that initial route I took 16th Avenue from Cumberland Street and on to Robert Burnaby Park in Burnaby. There are lots of photos that resulted, including some surprises for me, but I'll post the best ones soon. Meantime, be patient!!!

On the way to the park I saw a hot-looking guy crossing Newcombe Street as I got closer to the park. On the way back, I saw another hot guy, this one crossing Cumberland Street with his hands full, a backpack on one and something else in the other. He was wearing a purplish t-shirt, shorts and fit to model! I took a couple of looks he was so awesome. You can see hot guys anywhere, you just have to be observant!

When I finally got home, after sorting things away, I filled a glass with Astica, a white wine from Mendoza, Argentina. Its a blend made from Sauvignon blanc - Semillon grapes produced and bottled by Bodegas Trapiche. The name Astica means "flower" in the local native language and very fitting. Supper consisted of sandwiches (jalapanos-cheese focaccia with cheddar cheese slices), some fruit and a couple of glasses of wine to wash everything down. I try to keep my suppers light and have heavier meals during the day. Mendoza is also where my father's younger brother married during the early 1940s, so there's a family history there.

Now I've finished reading emails and sending out replies. Once I finish this post I plan to get ready for bed. I'll work on the photos in the morning! Have a great night!!! - V.

early spring?

It hasn't been a very hard winter here in the Vancouver, British Columbia area at all. There's been a lot of dull, overcast, rainy weather but little snow, except some just before Christmas. There's been snow in the higher elevations but we've been spared a lot of it here in the valley. Now an early spring is upon us and there are signs of it everywhere. Saturday (February 6th) I was up on the western end of Burnaby Mountain. There I found several signs even with the official opening of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games due to start tomorrow. There is something quite wrong with this picture!

You'll see little snow on the Coast Mountains facing Burrard Inlet as you can see above and below. This year there is not even a little bit of snow on the top of Burnaby Mountain. I've been here a few winters and have seen atleast some even if the early spring flowers are coming up. This year there is none anywhere.

But the signs of spring are everywhere with the first raspberry blooms opening, snowdrops and crocuses brightening the landscape and daffodils soon to open to add their bright presence to the very same landscape.

The view west from the top of the mountain is made up of various shades of green. The white is missing from the landscape except at the tops of nearby mountains and those further inland. Below is a photo looking west-southwest toward Vancouver Island. You even see the late afternoon sunshine reflecting off the water of the Georgia Strait just in front of the cloud cover that shrouds the island in the distance.

Along the way back I found a couple of symbols painted on the base of a water tower and fitting for Valentine's Day which is a short time away. I sent my significent other the very same image of the star and the heart to show my love and appreciation. The various kinds of coniferous tree still have cones offering food for the birds that abound. The trail in the last photo may show a dull scene but this will quickly change. For those of you living here, welcome to spring, and for those still in the throws of winter, it'll soon be over! - V.

early spring?

It would seem that we have an early spring here in southwestern British Columbia, not that our winter has been all that severe so far, and this with the winter olympics less than a week away! I was up on Burnaby Mountain this afternoon. It was sunny, warm and very pleasant for a stroll on the western end of the mountain.

Just after I got off the bus and was waiting for it to pass before crossing the street to head to the western end along the trail, a cyclist (student likely) passed the bus from behind to make a right-hand turn. As he was in the turn, he breaked and had a spill, landing on his right side. I asked if he was okay, and he was. Then he motioned to the bus driver that all was well and got off the street. We both looked to see whether he had any bumps, scratches or scrapes but neither of us found any. I guess any bruises will show up tomorrow. Then he was on his way and I was on mine! I might add that he was just wearing a t-shirt and shorts plus his helmet and runners but I felt somewhat overdressed in a light parka when a sweater or light jacket would have been sufficient in my case! I unzipped my parka and continued on.

So, on the way to the western end of the mountain where the Horizon Restaurant is located, I found signs of the first raspberry flowers in full bloom and some buds open exposing the new leaves. There was more as I approached the restaurant where there are gardens behind the building. Snowdrops were in bloom and daffodils well enough advanced that they'll likely be flowering by next weekend. Heath (Erica) was also in full bloom and so were the early crocuses. On the way down the mountain, the bus passed a sidestreet that had trees in full bloom, most likely in the Prunus family, perhaps flowering plum or some other member of the family related to the cherry tree.

So, with the winter olympic less than a week away, what an interesting scene! I'll have some photos to post as soon as they're ready. Enjoy your Sunday!!! - V.

Burnaby Mountain in October

This past Saturday I spent a few hours having a look at the autumn colouur on Burnaby Mountain, especially the western end of the mountain. These are just a small sample of photos I took that afternoon. If you go to my sister blog, Haliaeetus, you will be able to see a lot more of them and other photos as well. To start off with the sun shining through the trees along University Drive near the Simon Fraser University (SFU) campus caught my eye. I did check it out from the other side but that proved not to be anything special.

Bikes are common around here and so is the grade in the road. It can get a lot steeper than the sign above may indicate. After all the rain we had recently, I there were lots of mushrooms growing about if you looked carefully, such as this clump of fungi growing in a crack in a sawed off portion of a tree. Then the photo below that shows a peak of Burrard Inlet looking through the trees along the path to the cherry grove, rose garden and restaurant.

Each year the colour of the leaves is a bit different on these cherry trees. One year they were more coppery in colour. I guess it has a lot to do with the temperature differences between day and night. Back east where I lived most of my life, autumns can be warm during the day and then frosty at night bringing out some very spectacular colour in the maples, like bright yellows, oranges and brilliant reds. Here though, I've found colours to be a lot more subtle with the odd punch here and there.

The image above looks north into Indian Arm at Burrard Inlet north of the Burnaby Mountain. The upper reaches of this waterway disappear in the cloud and mist that is common this time of year. The photo below shows a close-up of the oil tanker in the above image. Yes, there is a refinery on the shores of Burrard Inlet. The storage tanks for the oil are on the south side of the mountain. More on all that later.

The autumn colour was evident on the western end of Burnaby Mountain from where the restaurant is located on south. The large shrub in the photo above is located to the north-northwest of the Horizon Restaurant and below a very large beech tree. Below is a close-up shot of its reddish-coloured leaves. There are more trees and shrubs further south with yellows or muted reds from cherry trees to maples, and since the mountain is a remnant from the period where an ice sheet once covered North America, there are rocks and boulders strewn along here and there. You can see them in various photos. There is even a circle of rocks with what looks like remains from a fire, likely a celebration of the autumn equinox! What do you think?

The view of a walkway through part of the cherry grove and leading south away from the restaurant. Below is another cherry tree in colour along the way back to the Tran-Canada Trail.

A circle of rocks with the remains of a recent fire and we weren't invited to the celebration of the autumn equinox? Well, perhaps this will happen next year.

The rocks and boulders remain from the ice age and add a nice touch to the landscape, don't you think? They certainly are a lovely added feature to these photos!

And finally, the view above looks west-northwest from the western end of the mountain. In the foreground is nearby Capitol Hill with Stanley Park in the middle background and the North Shore further back. You can see a bit of the Lions Gate Bridge on the right. The landscape in the distance disappears in mist. This area is part of a temperate rainforest. Below is a close-up shot of some maple leaves in various shades and colours. I hope you've enjoyed the journey and the photos! - V.