Sunday walk, Victoria, and Stanley/Sue update

A quick catch-up blog to fill in some of the memorable moments since last Sunday.  It's Friday morning as I write, and I'm on the verge of being late, so the commentary will be brief.

I took a different route on the way to Jericho Park, last Sunday.  This street, with its bridge of trees, and steep downward slope, caught my eye.

Windy day, snow on the mountains, lots of blue, and although I didn't post any pictures of Black Jack, she had a lot of fun, alternating between sniffing every nook and cranny along the way, and running wildly around me on her long leash.   
I seem to be taken with seagulls lately.  I think this might be a parent and child. 
Loved the blue/white sky and always fascinated by flight. 
I was near the fishing dock and this one had food in its view.  
I only saw one rabbit.  There were more, apparently, but a lady told me many have disappeared.  I watched a hawk flying overhead.  I consoled myself that everything has to eat, but hope this fellow will be there the next time I go.
VICTORIA

Like all trips with a large number of teens, there were great moments of fun, and a few slightly stressful ones on our school band trip.  Overall, it was a memorable and very worthwhile time.

I found some time for observing birds and beasts.  This fellow was right outside the Embassy Inn, where we stayed.  I spent a few moments with him.  He seemed well cared for, although I wish his food could have been in a bucket, instead of sprinkled on the sidewalk.
The human with him, who seemed kind, told me this duck visits regularly, to share meal time.
I also visited Beacon Hill Park, one of my favorite spots.  This duck was a new one for me.  I've checked my book, but haven't made a positive identification yet.  Any ideas?
Ducks all in a row, for dp.  If you check out her blog, you'll see that she has recently fostered a border collie, that has now been adopted to a dream home.  Well done, dp, although I know you hate credit of any kind:)
My band students worked for three hours each day, with seven Victoria musicians, in this beautiful building.
The cherry blossoms were out in full bloom.  They are always ahead by a few days in Victoria. (I had my first Vancouver sighting yesterday, as I biked down Cypress Street.  
I normally keep students out of blog photos, but I think this one is small enough and far away enough that it will be okay.  The conservatory was originally a church, and although this photo doesn't show the stained glass windows, they were just stunning.  The pipe organ left most of us mesmerized as well.  Wes, the sound guy at the conservatory, did a recording, so we have a CD to keep as a trip memory.  The playing really improved over three days, and we all felt thrilled with the result.  If by any chance, Wes, or any of the workshop leaders (Paul, Nick, Becky, Julia, Josh, Joey, and Laura), or Marcus, the booking person at the conservatory, see this, I have to say I am deeply grateful for your hard work, enthusiasm and great care of my students.
These next shots were also taken at Beacon Hill Park.  A lovely goose, taking a bath.
I had a map with me, and was following a planned route.  Then something made me choose a different direction, and I was rewarded with a heron sighting.
A bit further along that path, I met Henry.  I must have taken 50 photos of him, but will just post three here.  A man came along and said, "I see Henry is posing for you."  He then told me that Henry waits every day for a lady who comes on the city bus to feed him.  In the next two photos, he has turned his head, thinking he heard the bus.  

The rain held off, but the weather was very grey on Tuesday.  There was also, as you can see, quite a wind.  I talked for a few moments with a lady named Christina.  She was filming Henry, but she also enjoyed watching me and two other people, who were beyond thrilled to see such beauty.  She described to me the "picture that got away" and it included the three of us, one with hand outstretched, and all with cameras poised, and I suspect, in my case, jaw dropped and eyes tearing as I marveled at my good fortune to run into Henry.
Cherry blossoms and blue sky, taken through the bus window, as we headed to Schawrtz Bay to catch the ferry on Wednesday afternoon.
The ferry ride was magnificent.  I took lots of gull photos, some over the water...
...and others with the blue, blue sky as background.

LAST NIGHT'S RIDE HOME FROM SCHOOL

It was a dull day, but the rain held off.  I went through Stanley Park and saw these two flocks of Barrow's Goldeneye ducks, swimming towards each other.
They seemed happy to mingle when they met.  Maybe they were all part of the same flock.
And I did a quick check at the heronry.  Stanley and Sue's nest looked very sparse, but it was inhabited.  I am so curious to know whether the same family has returned to the same nest.  Could it be Stanley and Sue?  Could it be their parents?  Or, has another pair set up housekeeping?  I guess I'll never have the answer to these questions.  The one in the nest stayed put, but grabbed the odd nearby branch, and did a little work on the nest.  The mate (I think) watched but didn't offer help.

Other herons were much more actively working on their nests.  Anna commented on my blog that light is very important for successful photos.  There was precious little of it, so I hope I'll be able to capture some better images soon.  If you have a moment, check out Anna's site.  Her photos take my breath away, and I love her story blog as well. (I see I've posted her address incorrectly at the side of my page, but you can use the link here.  I'll fix the other link soon.)  

I'm now officially late, as I leave for work.  It's a grey day, but at least it isn't snowing!!!