Things to Do in British Columbia - Milky Way Viewing

British Columbia offers us some pretty spectacular

dark nights to view the Milky Way.

The crisp clear winter skies are great for

amazing star gazing, it's almost unimaginalble

how many stars are really out there.

Always best to have some back up when

trying to photograph the winter night skies,

lots of patience, hot chocolate and boot warmers come to mind.

This particular shot was done near

Tumbler Ridge, BC at -19C.

A lot of hopping around to keep warm was

 done for this one, plus a promise

to an upgrade in the winter mittens department.

To gaze in awe at the night skies is well 

worth the effort here or anywhere 

the skies allow your mind to wander

to infinity and back.

Things to Do in British Columbia - Bird Watching

The most striking thing about the Spotted Towhee

are their red eyes.

They like to live in scattered shrubs 

and thickets which abound here in British Columbia.

I get to spend a lot of time in nature

and these birds are always a joy to be around.

Though Towhee's are considered resident birds in British Columbia, 

their distinctive call heralds the beginning of

spring for me, of new life around us 

and life yet to come.

I wait anxiously for the their first brood

to make their appearance.