The First Signs of Spring in Vancouver

I don't really have a "favorite" time of year.

Every season has it's own beauty and enchantment.

Seeing the first robins in spring is

always a thrill, though, and a

sign of new life and new

beginnings always
lifts your spirits.

Even the robins seem excited

about the blue skies 

and newly budding trees.

Best Places to See in BC, Tynehead Park, Surrey

Tynehead Regional Park in Surrey
is another of those gems on my
Best Places to Visit in British Columbia list.
The Serpentine River flows gently through the
260 hectares of forest, meadows, and wildlife habitat.
I spent a nature filled afternoon here wandering the
many paths and trails,
taking in the fish hatchery and and butterfly garden.
Squirrels and several varieties of birds flitted about
enchantingly, and the fresh smell of summer in
the forest was intoxicating.
Watching the play of light on the forest floor
as the river gently splashed onward on her journey
to renew life
is nothing short of soul renewing.

Record High Temperatures in Vancovuer, British Columbia for July 7th, 2010

Record high temperatures
hit Vancouver and the Lower Mainland today.
After what seems like weeks of being
under water with grey skies, rain and cold weather,
the sun is a very welcome respite.
The forecast is for even warmer temperatures
during the week, peaking on the weekend.
The city of Squamish reached a
sizzling 35.0 C today.
For the Fahrenheit people, that
is 95 F.
Toasty to say the least.
White Rock surpassed it's old record for
high temperatures dating back to 1929.

Time for a nice cold brewskie or two.
I think I'll put my feet in the tub of ice that
are cooling them off. Who cares about
social niceties.

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Cool Globes, Science World, Vancouver, BC

Biking along the Vancouver Seawall is always
an adventure.
Currently on display at Science World
are several one ton globes
that are simply amazing.
Called Cool Globes, they have been ingeniously designed
by artists, children and community groups
depicting their own unique solutions
to global warming.
Beautifully set against the backdrop of
our gorgeous city and snow capped
mountains.
Add a bike ride along the seawall, and
it just doesn't get any better than this.

Seawall, Vancouver, BC

The walk along the Sea Wall in Vancouver, BC, Canada
is a treat in so many ways.
Part of the seawall along False Creek
stretchs in front
of the Olympic Village, with
sights of buildings precariously leaning
in optical illusions, to views of the stunning
North Shore mountains sprinkled with
their new dusting of fresh snow.
Biking it, walking it, jogging it, or roller blading it,
the Seawall is a must-do adventure.
Check out the Inukshuk
along the shoreline,
some with ingenious rock angles
and architecture.
Each is unique and special.
Like British Columbia.

Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, BC, Canada

Just when you think you've seen it
all, Mother Nature comes along,
grabs you by your ears, and shakes
your eyesballs silly.

Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park,
located 15 km east of Chilliwack, BC, Canada,
is a sundae for the senses.
With the fresh touch of snow icing the mountains,
and the tang of spring caressing you,
Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park is
a sheer joy to explore.

She is home to several species of water birds,
insects, butterflies and even the occasional eagle and
hawk can be spotted soaring overhead.
Beaver have left their calling cards of gnawed
tree trunks along the waterfront, and the frogs
chorus their joy at the upcoming spring season.

Canada Geese are in abundance right now, greeting you
with honks and cackles as you wander gently
amongst their territory of bulrushes and wetland grasses.

Mother Nature, I think she's laughing at me.

Vancouver During the 2010 Olympics

Vancouver has been bathed in sunshine and warm temperatures
over the last week. Awesome
weather for the Olympics.

I am discovering the world of small.
Not just tiny, but really small.
The bright sunlight is making my discoveries
into the world of small even
more magical.
Take moss, for instance.
We rarely pay this humble plant
much attention as we walk along
the paving stones of life.
Not only is it a tough little plant,
its also beautiful and resilient.
Bounces right back. Happy as can be.

I think life is like the tiny moss plant.
The Olympic Games are bringing together peoples
of many nations to participate and enjoy
the big world that Vancouver has to offer.
We will be here long after the Olympic dreams
and aspirations have moved on to other countries and
other times in history.

And the tiny moss will be here long after man
has traveled the pathway that is life.
Resilient, strong and ever adaptable.

Mother Nature is a great teacher.

Happy New Year 2010

Not only are we now into a New Year,
but we are also into a New Decade.
I have no idea where that
decade went.
Scary.
But we continue to grow and learn
as a human species.
I hope kinder and
more loving towards our inherent
differences and cultures.
I shall continue finding the
beauty in the world as I see it,
and will continue to share what
Mother Nature allows
me to.
Life continues to be an adventure!

Christmas 2009, Vancouver, British Columbia

After so much grey, dismal weather, any

colour that comes into our lives is special.
As Christmas draws ever closer, the need
for colour is evident everywhere you look.
Christmas lawn and light displays border
on the spectacular and other worldly.
People start wearing colourful scarves, boots,
and some really amazing accessories.
I have a pair of bright pink gloves
that can be spotted by overhead satellites.
I'm not sure if they glow in the dark, I'll
have to try that out next time I go out
taking photos of the Christmas lights.
The weatherman says it's going
to be sunny on Christmas Day.
I can't think of a better
Christmas gift!

Hallowe'en in Vancouver, BC October 2009

There certainly is no end to
Hallowe'en festivities in
Vancouver, BC this 2009 year.
What ever your frightful pleasure
Vancouver has the answer for you!
The Vancouver Aquarium is
having some watery festivities.
The PNE has Fright Night happening.
Stanley Park has the Ghost Train
whistling through.

Even wandering around your neighborhood
to see how ingenious creative minds
can be with decorations is a treat
for every photographer.

There is something fun and scary
happening in every community.
Whatever your pleasure, be
sure to get out and enjoy
the season!

Vancouver Island Sunset and Ferry Wake, October 2009

The kindness of strangers
is sometimes overwhelming.
I recently sent this photo in
to Wayne Cox at Global BC TV
in case it was worth showing on
his "Weather Window" segment of
the program.
We never really think about all the people involved in
doing something like this.
It has to go from a computer to
a digital display system, someone
has to do the job. Someone has to
check that it looks okay and it not upside
down or something.
And then Wayne Cox has to actually fit it
in to his weather forecast. It all takes people
and time. And caring and professionalism.
For this I am grateful and honored.
And I wish to extend my thanks
and gratitude for all those involved.
You have no idea how much this means to me.
Thank you.

Record HIgh Temperatures for British Columbia, Canada July 29, 2009

No doubt about it. Vancouver is in the midst of
record breaking high temperatures.
39 Celcius at the Vancouver Airport yesterday.
That's not even factoring in the humidex.
Humidex is both temperature and humidity
added together, since the temperature
isn't the only thing to make you feel
sticky. The humidity is sure
to give the old sweat glands
a good work out.

This is not good news for the forest fires
raging across the province.
The fire hazard is running on "extreme"
right now.
No kidding.

I've decided I like my fan.
"Minimizing energy use"
doesn't relate to them.
Or air conditioners.

I'm not even going to start
looking at the air quality.

I think my fan is calling me again.

Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, BC, Canada

Colony Farm Regional Park in
Coquitlam, BC, is a true
balm for the senses.
It's always a pleasure
to visit her in any weather,
in any season, at any time
of the day. There is life
going on with the
local flora and fauna, and
if you take your time and look
at the small things, you
can spend a few happy hours
just ooohhh-ing and awwww-ing
at the variety of wildflowers that
grow along the trails.

I like the small things.
It makes me appreciate being
human. If something that small
can be so perfect, then there's
hope for the rest of us yet!

Pitt River, British Columbia, Canada

I have finally discovered in life that
it's impossible to describe "big".
Its a feeling more than words strung together in a sentence.
Mountains are big.
The ocean is big.
And the sky is just plain huge.

Every once in awhile a day comes along
in your life when you are overwhelmed
with gladness to be alive and
experience the "bigness" of it all.

I had such a day this week, and to make a
perfect day even better, I managed
to capture a shot of "big".

I won't bother with words, I'll just
share this "big" moment with you.

Life is such an adventure!

Cypress Falls, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Cypress Falls Park on the
North Shore of Vancouver,
offers some impressive views
of Cypress Canyon.

There are a lot of canyons
on the North Shore.
All are impressive for their
display of the sheer
force of water that has carved
its way through solid rock over generations.

In Cypress Canyon, the water
shoots through a narrow rock
chute and plummets
down 10 meters into another set of
falls that in turn, cascade over
another set of rocks, called
Lower Cypress Falls.
If the falls aren't enough to
make you drop your jaw,
then the 400 year old
fir tress are sure to give your
neck a good workout. They are
massive and majestic.

Cypress Falls adjoins
Cypress Provincial Park.
Another lifetime of discoveries
and adventures.

Cold Temperatures in British Columbia, Canada for March, 2009

Vancouver is beautiful in
any weather.
These cold temperatures are no exception.
And no doubt, its cold here right now.
With the added new snow that
fell on the weekend and into Monday,
it has again transformed the scenery
into a winter wonderland.
The coastal mountains iced with a new
frosting of snow are something out of
a fairy tale.
And listening to the ice cracking on
the local rivers is a totally new
experience for me.
I believe Mother Nature is
showing us how to stop and
behold the beauty, even if she
has to stop us dead in our tracks to
do it.

Now, I need to go thaw out.

Vancouver, B.C., Canada in the Fog

Vancouver in the fog is ephemeral.
Magical.
Other worldly.

Fog is a cloud on the ground.
Amazing to think the sky
can touch the ground.

There's been movies and even
computer programs using the
word fog. Which
makes sense, since it
seems so mysterious and
prone to hidden treasures.

I keep snapping, Mother Nature
keeps showing me her
beauty.

Pitt River, British Columbia, Canada

Rather than write a lot about Pitt River, B.C., Canada
today, I thought I'd just post a recent photo
I have done.

She reveals her spirit to me in subtle ways
that I am becoming attuned to.

I am learning to listen
to her wisdom.

DeBoville Slough to Pitt River, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada

I took a walk along the Traboulay PoCo Trail
in Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada
and was treated to some soul soothing scenery.
The Traboulay Trail is 25 kms long, and
encircles the city of Port Coquitlam.
I haven't discovered all of her secret spots
and vistas yet, but I think that is
a project I can take my time and
work on.
I've been discovering a lot of things lately,
and maybe life is making more sense
to me. Like the trails and vistas I visit,
secrets and wisdom come over time,
its nothing you can rush. You
need to go back and listen
at different times, different seasons,
to hear all the truths revealed slowly.
Every season has its own version
of enlightenment.

For Derek Mata, my friend, my life mentor.
Thank you for your wisdom
and insights. You were taken from
life too early, and I, among many,
will miss you.

Para Derek Mata, mi amigo, mi mentor de la vida.
Gracias por su sabiduría
y penetraciones. Le tomaron de vida
demasiado temprano, e yo, entre muchos,
le faltará.

Snowfall Record for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2008

Well, we did it.
Hit a snowfall record.

December 14th -- 11 cms.
December 21st -- 22.4 cms.
December 24th -- 26.2 cms.

I've seen various totals in various news sources.
103 cm's total seems to be about right.

For those of you that think in
inches and feet, that's 41 inches.
I've been told that British Columbians spend
a lot of time talking about the weather, its become a
provincial pastime.
Shoveling snow is now the new provincial sport.
People wonder why we have this kind
of obsession.
Pretty hard not to, I'd say, when your life gets turned
topsy turvy and everyone is trying to cope the best
they can, with what Mother Nature throws at us
from time to time.
It certainly has brought people and
communities closer together.

I'll have to talk to my friends down south
and find out if they complain about too much
sunshine.