antics

On my way back to the Lost Lagoon and downtown Vancouver I took the Tatlow Trail through the park. I always find the antics and activities of birds and animals interesting. Above, a grey squirrel played what seems to us as peek-a-boo but when it realized I had no food for it (its all about the food you know!), the squirrel went on its way.

I tried out some of the early salmonberries (above, related to the blackberries) but they're a bit tart yet. The birds (and others) have wasted no time in trying them just the same.

Then I took photos of a mallard duck (hen, the female) taking in some grit. She was very patient about the whole thing. They use the grit to grind their food as part of the digestion process. After that I ended up at the north end of the lagoon and headed on into the downtown to complete the last errand before heading home. - V.

the beaches

Sunday was a pleasant day, sunny with some cloud but not overly hot like during the week when we had very summer like days. In the midst of getting some errands out of the way I came to Stanley Park (Vancouver) to walk and in the process get some exercise, fresh air and sunshine. A kiosk had been set up at the main beach on English Bay (Beach Avenue is behind me) renting out kayaks. There was a reasonable amount of activity but on a very hot weekend the beaches are full.

There was more activity at the 3rd beach (see photo above and those below). Note the kayaks! I had hoped to get a shot of a guy trying out his skimboard but when I set up the shot, I wasn't as thrilled with the outcome, so I let it go. There'll be another opportunity soon enough. In the pic just below, that's Hollyburn Mountain in the background with West Vancouver developments creeping up the mountain side.

The photo above shows the view of the 3rd beach from the top of the stairs above the beach. The public washrooms, lifeguard station and a food kiosk are behind me. Speaking of the lifeguard station, a lifeguard was preparing to wheel down a lifeboat on a trailer as I was up there, so I took a few photos of the event. He wheeled her to a certain point and then turned the boat and all about before proceeding down hill. It takes lots of strength to accomplish that feat but what comes down must come back up. Good thing I'm not the one doing that! These fit men are far better for it. I hope you had a great weekend, however you chose to spend it!!! - V.

Jason Beam

I've featured some photos of Australian model and trainer, Jason Beam, a while back but here are some more for those interested, and I know I have viewers of this blog that love both muscle and tattoos, so enjoy! Jason has appeared in the Australian gay magazine called DNA with photos by photographer, Lewis Payton, and he was also involved in the Teamm 8 underwear campaign. Other photographers to check out are Simon Le (see some of the pics), Pedro Virgil and James Demetri.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not much of a tattoo fan but to love muscles. Tattoos have an obvious importance to those that wear them and that's whats important regardless of what I might think of them. So enjoy the pics, muscles, tattoos and all! - V.

Renato Ferreira - Brazilian model

There's a new model on the Brazilian scene. Since a blog viewer showed some interest in him, I decided to do a little research on him. His name is Renato Ferreira who has been featured recently on the blog, "Made in Brazil", as well as other blogs, such as Bodhi's, "Tres Fab Sweetie!" I don't know a lot about him other than what I've seen and read about him on these blogs I've mentioned. Something to check out would be 40 Graus Models and photographer Vincente de Paulo (and others). Here are a few photos of this new model for those interested. Edilson is still tops in my book though Renato is certainly worth watching to see where his career takes him. - V.

Nick Hird - UK model

British model, Nick Hird, a 20 year old from Keighley in Yorkshire, is relatively new to the modeling business (less than six months) but things look promissing. He certainly has a lot of potential. Nick's height is 5 foot 7 inches, he weighs 156 pounds, has short, spiked brown or highlighted hair, blue eyes, a 40 inch chest, 31 inch waist, and works out of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He's a former rugby player who gave up the sport after an injury, keeps himself in shape by working out in the gym and pursues modeling. Nick is willing to travel provided the fare is paid. For serious inquiries about photo shoots, contact Nick at hin501@aol.com . Yet another model worth keeping an eye on as his career develops. - V.

Nick Adams - model

I've been a bit slow on getting stuff posted, not that there's not enough to post but because its been rather hot here in the lower mainland (Greater Vancouver). Yesterday's temperature was at 33 degrees Celsius in Vancouver as an example which is warmer that usual for June. My right knee has also been bothering me (arthritis), so the mood has been stymied somewhat by these factors. Anyway, while the opportunity is available, here are a few photos of American model, Nick Adams, who was born June 10, 1983 in Erie, Pennsylvania (U.S.A.). Nick is known for his part in the Broadway Revival of "A Chorus Line" opposite Mario Lopez. He is represented by DGRW Talent Inc. and Choice Model Management, just two examples. Check out his MySpace and blog links for more information. - V.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/nicholastadd

Blog: http://www.thenickadams.blogspot.com/

bread

Sunday about suppertime, as the soup I was slow-cooking was simmering on the stove top, I prepared a bread dough to bake while the soup was doing its thing. There's no recipe as such just simple ingredients of unbleached wheat flour, dry quick rising yeast, a little bit of sugar for the yeast to feed on (I use brown sugar but whatever's on hand), some warm water, one egg (free range), olive oil and some greek olives to stick in the dough once its in the baking pan (9 x 16 inch). The Greek, or ripe olives, are my favourite though I will use green olives if nothing else is available. I took a number of photos after the flatbread was done baking and these are some of them.

The bread slices easily and has the texture of some of the Italian bread I love such as foccacia. Aside from stuffing olives in the dough, I plan to stuff some onion in the dough and add some coursely grated asiago cheese next time round. I did some research regarding foccacia bread on Monday and found the similarity of my bread to that Italian variety. Experimenting is something I love to do as well. Much of what I cook or bake involves no recipes. I just work until I have the taste (aroma) and feel (texture) that I'm after.

The photo above and below give you a closer look at the results of my recent attempt at baking bread. Perhaps I should try stuffing jalapeno peppers in the dough and adding grated cheese on top next time. Its just another thought but I do love the jalapeno and cheese foccacia bread very much, so much so that I buy it about monthly. Perhaps its time to bake it myself instead. Anyway, its time for bed again and 5 am comes early. Hope you're all having a great week!!! - V.