Abandoned nest and playoff pool question

On Tuesday evening, I stopped by the heronry on the way home from school.  It was a windy ride over the Lions Gate Bridge, but doable.  Not a head wind, not a tail wind, not really a cross wind..  I'll call it a diagonal wind. 

As I turned to go by Lost Lagoon, the water from the fountain was responding beautifully to the wind. 

I found Serena and Sam's nest abandoned.  Rather sad, but perhaps, as Phyllis said, they were juveniles, and not quite ready to do the family thing.  Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought the nest looked like it had come along quite a bit since the last time I photographed it (7th picture down).  Perhaps, they've acquired the skills they will need to be successful next year.
As I was watching the herons, I heard some strange vocalizations behind me.  I ignored the sounds, positive they were more human than bird.  Then I heard laughter, and finally turned around.  There was my friend Mali, and another teacher from my school, presently on leave, but a reader of my blog once in a while.  That was apparently their best heron voice imitation, and not only that, they were convinced they had managed to fool me.  Not even close, you guys:)  I loved pointing out the nests I had been blogging about, and they, both keen observers, pointed out lots of little details I had missed.  Mali noticed this fellow, the keenest twig deliverer around.  Every two to three minutes, he showed up with new nest material.

At one point, after laboriously managing to get through the branches to his mate's nest, he dropped his twig as he was trying to deliver it.  "Oh no," said Mali.  She was truly upset for him.

But, he was soon back with another.  It occurred to me as I studied this picture last night, that it requires the maneuvering skill of an experienced pilot to gauge distances and find a way to get those huge wings safely through the branches.  Poor herons don't have the benefit of flight simulators or even an instructor.  Once they leave the nest, they're on their own.  Mind boggling to me.  No pictures of this heron's mate, but I saw her reach up each time to get the twig.  She otherwise stayed low in her nest, probably sitting on eggs.  They may replace Sam and Serena as my next focus pair.  Any suggestions for names? 
This is Stella.  Remember her and her mate, Stanley, on the other side of the road?  I didn't see Stanley yesterday, but Stella was giving every indication that she's sitting on eggs.  She appears to be doing a good job.  Next time I go, I will be anxiously looking to make sure Stanley is still in the picture.  
My friend, Dianne, suggested I rename my blog: "bikesbirdsbeastsnblooms"  I do seem to be taking a lot of flowers lately.  I snapped these early Monday morning when I was walking Black Jack.
And, I fell in love with these at the corner of Denman and Beach Avenue.  I've always loved blue flowers, but on their own, they really don't say much at all.  Put them with red, and the combination calls so loudly, I have to stop.
Look closely, and you will see my bike, parked under the flags.  
One more shot.  
And, a few shots of random flying herons taken recently.  
So much effort for such a teeny twig.
Almost straight up and down.
Something about the position of the feet.  Maybe, kids jumping in the deep end of the swimming pool for the first time?  Or, maybe pirouetting through the air?  I don't know.  Can't quite put my finger on it, but it makes me smile.
Mali thought this fellow was the classic macho male, showing off his twig:)  She thought he was working hard to attract a mate.  Seems logical, since finding a good twig is definitely high on the female's list of signs of a potentially good provider.
FINALLY... I have to make my picks for the second round of the NHL playoffs by tomorrow afternoon.  I'm in second place in our small pool, but 16 points behind the first place person.  Definitely in need of some help here.  I googled a bit this evening and found this prediction.  Anyone else have thoughts?  I'd offer a cut on the prize money, but that would amount to small change, so your suggestions will have to be offered for the love of the game, or my blog, or something....   

Babies, blooms, and a ufo

A baby rabbit at Jericho.

Okay, this one isn't a baby.  It was a failed "catch-in-flight" attempt.
No baby here, either.  The duck behind the red-winged blackbird made me laugh.
Here's a baby (well, maybe juvenile) Downey Woodpecker.  At least, that's my best guess.  There is red at the back of its head, although you probably have to click on the picture to see it.
Another shot of the same bird.  It was on a trail called "Top" in the endowment lands.
I guess these aren't blooms - more like fern buds?
Beautiful blue blooms.  (I dare you to repeat that.)
I took this last night when Bill and I went for a walk.  One of those pictures that came out looking better than the real thing.  Bill saw a ufo there.  Do you see it?
It was the first day back to work, after a two-week break.  Even when it's an easy day, that first one back always seems to feel exhausting, so it's a rather limited commentary tonight.  Just one question.  Not one person commented on the seagull standing on the other seagull (3rd and 4th pictures down).  Is that because it's really a very common occurrence, and I'm the only person never to have seen such a thing?     

Biking with Black Jack

Today, Black Jack and I biked to Stanley Park.  Bill took this photo as we were leaving.  I'm smiling but quite nervous.  It was her first trip with me since the cycling accident.  Of the many lucky breaks to do with that accident, one huge one was that Black Jack was not with me.  I was acutely aware of the added responsibility today.  We traveled slowly down the hills, and used paths away from traffic whenever possible.  

When I took out the carrier, Black Jack jumped up and down, eager to get in it.  People smiled when they saw her, and many remarked how mellow she was, just hanging out and watching the world go by.  

We stopped at The Wicked Cafe, where Black Jack had a chance to stretch her legs and socialize with other latte lovers.  One more stop at a pet store to get a new collar and sample some treats, and then on to Stanley Park.  I decided today to pay a little more attention to Stanley and Stella, the blue heron pair on the other side of the street from Serena and Sam.  Just as I arrived, Stanley left the nest, and flew across the street to this tree by the apartment building.  
He quickly selected a branch, and flew back to the nest.
The sun was in my eyes, and photos were poor, but the silhouette shows Stanley just before he passes the stick to Stella.  One would think the nest is empty, but Stella was laying low.  I'm betting that she's sitting on eggs.
I missed the branch exchange, but she is now working it into the nest, and Stanley is already thinking about heading out for another one.
Stella nestled down out of sight, and Stanley ready to leave.
I took a moment to check on Serena.  She was still working away on that nest.  Sam didn't visit, and it occurs to me, after Bill asked this evening, that I have not once seen Serena leave that nest.  How is she eating?  Does it look to anyone as though she has made a little progress?  
There is a small enclosure near the heronry, designed for little dogs.  Black Jack was in it a few times last summer.  Sometimes she plays, and other times, all she can think of is the squirrel-action on the other side.  Today, there was one very sweet, 11-year-old misfit in terms of size, but everyone got along just fine.
Black Jack looks like a little monster here, but she played well.
If you look closely, she sports quite a toothy look, but her friends didn't seem to mind, and accepted both ends without prejudice.
Sorry about the poor quality pictures, but I loved the ears flying back on this spaniel.  Black Jack is playing, but also has one eye on the gate.  She hasn't forgotten the squirrels.  I was happy to see her have a run with some doggy friends.  It's not something she gets to do off leash very often. 
Finally, we left for a walk around Lost Lagoon.  Our first sighting was this blue heron.  There always seems to be one at this same spot.  I wonder if they choose a location and claim it as their own.
We also saw this American Wigeon.  The only difference from the picture in my bird book, is the brown spot over the eye.  In the book, that spot is green.  
A bit further on, we met two raccoons.  This one has the cutest little face, but I wasn't fooled.  It was eyeing Black Jack, and I knew a confrontation would not end well for her.  I kept a short leash, and she, fortunately was properly respectful.
On the other side of the lagoon, we saw these three turtles.  Funny to see the apartment building reflections.  One can almost, but not quite, forget that Stanley Park is in the middle of a city.
Close-up.
The swans were nesting.  I now understand that those long necks serve more than an aesthetic purpose.  The swan remained in one spot, stretching out to get nest material...
... then brought it back to the mid point...
... and delivered it to a spot behind.  Are they building the nest around them?  I noticed some similarities to heron nest building, but differences too.  Although not posted, I took photos of another swan sitting on a large, straw/grass nest.  I'm wondering if that is what this one is working up to.
Before we left, I did a final heronry check.  Serena was in the same position (no photo).  Here is Stanley, picking out another branch.
He gets it in his mouth...
...and off he goes.  I think Stanley and Stella have child rearing down quite well.  I look forward, soon, to seeing their chicks.
It was a pleasant, if cool, ride home.  Black Jack's weight became a tad more noticeable as we headed up Point Grey hill.  She was particularly watchful.  I wonder if she was comparing her walks up the hill to the ride.  I wonder if she was appreciating the lift, or wishing she could jump out and go on her own steam.  Sometimes, she is so compliant, I find myself wondering what she really thinks, you know, deep down.  I would have to say, though, that she overall had a great day and so did I.

The Longest Walk

On Tuesday, Black Jack and I were outside for most of the day.  We began by walking down Blanca Street, where I stopped in front of someone's house to photograph these flowers.

When we arrived at Spanish Banks beach, there was heavy mist on the other side of the water.  The sun came and went, and I shed and added layers, depending on its position and our level of exertion.  Black Jack was keen and comfortable, regardless of the temperature changes. 
We stopped at the fishing dock, and I saw something I have never seen before.  It still makes me smile.  A seagull came along, appeared to be heading for a post, but thought better of it and landed on..  its mate? friend? sibling? parent?  Whatever the relationship, the landing was taken completely in stride.  Just a ho hum occurrence I guess.
It settled itself firmly, stayed for a few moments, and then flew off.  No reaction at all that I could detect from the one being used as a landing strip.
Lots of crows around as well.  I liked the curve of this one's right wing.
Black Jack doesn't like to stay long at the fishing dock.  At her insistence, we continued on to the rabbit bushes.  
Like my last dog, Scott, she has a curly tail which almost succeeds in straightening out when she's concentrating on a possible prey chase.  That makes me smile too. 
Ducks were nesting by the ponds at Jericho.
We continued by Brock House, where I took this one lovely flower.  
We looked quite a distance down, and over the fence in the little park, to see this dog playing by the beach.  
Past the Hastings Mill museum on Alma Street, there are stairs leading down to the beach.  Our plan was to take the ferry at Vanier Park.  The tide was out, so it seemed a safe plan to make our way along the beach front.
Black Jack didn't complain, but the tiny sharp shell fragments and pebbles, to my mind, must have been quite rough on her little feet, so I carried her over the trickier portions of this part of our walk.  She is such an easy dog.  Happy to walk.  Happy to be carried.  Just happy to be outside (as long as it's not raining!)
I enjoyed watching this blue heron fish.  I wondered if it flew from the heronry, or if there is another heronry besides the one at Stanley Park. 
It flew out a bit further.
We sat on a rock and watched it fish for quite a while before it finally flew away.

At Vanier Park, we caught the ferry, and then walked along the waterfront to Stanley Park.  These flowers were on Beach Avenue, on our right, as we walked west.

We stopped at the dog bakery on Denman Street, before continuing on to Stanley Park.  So far, Black Jack was loving the walk, but it gained another ten or so points when these squirrels decided to give a free show, just as we entered the park.


Black Jack waited fairly patiently while I spent some time checking Serena and Sam at the heronry.  No pictures, but if you are a blue heron fan, and don't mind some very poor quality photos, you can read all about them in the previous post.  

It was now late afternoon, as we retraced our steps along the path above the beach, to the Aquatic Centre.  This time, we planned to take the ferry to Granville Island.  

There were knots in the wood that appeared burned.  For some reason, they worried Black Jack. 
She is such a gutsy little dog, taking everything in her stride, but those knots really bugged her.

These flowers are along the street by the path above the beach.  I didn't take this photo on Tuesday, but wanted to show it, as I pass by the flowers every work day, as I head home.  Only in Vancouver, could there be palm trees, traffic, beach, flowers, sailboats, seals, blue herons, cyclists, and who knows what else, all within easy view.

Granville Island was busy as usual.  We met John, eating a snack, while his six afghans enjoyed a rest.  I took very poor pictures, but John tells me if you google his name, Flickr will turn up lots of photos taken by people as intrigued as I was with his afghan family.  Here, Papa is in the middle, with Mama, just in front of him.  There are four daughters in all, two on each side.  John told me he has an elderly, rescue Afghan at home as well.  Wow!  Seven afghan hounds!  I once knew a lady in Montreal, who had a beautiful Afghan named Thalia.  We used to meet in the dog park each morning, and she gave me some idea of the grooming challenges of these dogs.  I have a picture that I may post one day.  I thought of it when I read Jean's post about Pearl, Pearl is a Borzoi and Thalia was an afghan, but both were white, and I would guess, from Jean's description, that they share many of my favorite sighthound qualities.  But getting back to John, all I could think, beside what a good life his dogs have, was how much time he must spend every day grooming.    

Papa was watching his wife and daughters quite carefully.
He wasn't sure about Black Jack.  To an afghan, a dog as small as Black Jack must seem rather close to rabbit size.

We finally left, and four of the six dogs stood up to see us off.  

(A close-up of two of them.)

Bye-bye

Through Granville Island, up over three flights of stairs to a walkway bridge, a little more uphill, and we were at The Wicked Cafe where I enjoyed a latte.  Bill met us there, and I'm a bit ashamed to say I enjoyed a second latte with him.  That was our walk.  I expected Black Jack to be exhausted, but she was ready to play when we arrived home.  She may be little, but her stamina is quite amazing.  I do believe she could happily live outdoors just about all day long, every day (as long as it doesn't rain!)   As for me, I loved our day, but was happy too, to kick back and rest for the evening.

4 days of observations - Serena and Sam

First of all, a warning.  If you do not have a huge interest in blue herons, it's probably best to skip this post.  I feel some sort of compulsion to record the actions of two herons, named Serena and Sam, whose nesting and mating efforts appear doomed to failure.  They began one nest, which either fell apart, or blew away, as noted in my post of April 13th.  I went back on Monday, April 20th, and they have begun building again.  Many of these pictures were taken with poor light.  I used photoshop to lighten them to the point where I had a somewhat better chance of figuring out what was happening.  Here is an account of the last four days of their actions.  

MONDAY: APRIL 20

Only one picture.  I waited around for a long time, but saw only Serena.  Sam did not make an appearance.  She worked diligently on the nest, and it appeared to have progressed a bit further than the original one.

TUESDAY: APRIL 21

I was there between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.  Serena was there, working on the nest when I arrived.  Sam flew in shortly after.
The picture quality is too poor to be sure, but I think they may be mating here.
Sam then appears to be going to fly away.
However, he settles a short distance away, and attempts to break off some branch pieces.
He passes them to Serena.
I am wondering if they are engaging here in a mating display called bill clacking. 

There is a beautifully written article by Tom Horton that describes some blue heron mating behaviors.  It is definitely worth reading, both for the information and for the obvious love that he has for these birds.  One paragraph in particular really touched my heart.  I will copy that here:

 At times I have observed heron couples in the throes of springtime amore, touching gently, almost sensuously- thigh to thigh, breast to breast, bills tip to tip; and in this posture it happens that their glossy necks, curving fluidly between chest and beak, form something akin to the shape of a valentine. Watching them gazing steadfastly into one another's lidless, unblinking eyes, it is not hard to recall old Calvert Posey's moniker, "lovebirds," and to believe that something more than just instinct is at work.

After the bill episode, Sam flew over Serena.

There was another episode of what may have been mating, and then they settled very close to each other, and appeared to be working on the nest.  I have since read another article about Little blue Herons by James A. Rogers, with some VERY detailed, scientific data.  I have not read all of this, and it is about a different type of heron, but I suspect its description of twig grasping as part of the mating display could apply to both little and blue herons.  
Here, Tom Horton's words in the quoted paragraph about "lovebirds" seem appropriate.
I watched Sam and Serena for a long time.  Finally, Sam flew off.
Was he going to get more branches?
He seemed to struggle a bit here.
Then, he was gone.

WEDNESDAY, April 22nd, around 6:30 p.m.

I watched Serena for well over an hour.  Other herons were bringing in branches to their mates, some returning every ten minutes.  Sam did not make an appearance in the time that I was there.  Serena seemed to be looking for him, but also worked hard on the nest.  I thought it progressed a little bit.

THURDAY: April 23rd, around 6:30 p.m.

Much the same story as yesterday.  I watched for more than an hour.  Serena remained alone, working on the nest.  There seem to be more twigs, but it appears to me to be very poorly constructed.  A mess, actually.
One heron flew in. She ignored him.  Was it Sam?
That heron stared for quite some time at Serena's nest.  I wanted it to be Sam, but if he was, why did he not go closer?  He didn't pay attention to any other nest.  Could he have been another suitor?  No answers to my questions.
He continues to stare.  She goes on with her still terribly inefficient (my impression) nest building.
The heron flew off and Serena remained alone.  I do think her second nest is a bit more sturdy than the first one.  We have had strong winds over the past few days, and at least it hasn't disintegrated.
That's the update on Serena and Sam for now.  

*For anyone interested, I don't have much of an update on Stella and Stanley, because I haven't been going to the heronry in the mornings, when their nest is easiest to photograph.  However, I have seen them working together, and their nest looks very sturdy.  I have a feeling Stella may be sitting on some eggs.  

Thoughts as we walked on Monday

I'm on holiday for another couple of days, so there is time for long walks and reflection.  This past Monday, Black Jack and I walked down the hill to Spanish Banks, from there into Jericho Beach and Park (which borders a seniors subsidized housing complex), across 4th avenue and through the military grounds, up the rest of Point Grey hill, and home.  It is more or less a square in formation,  with steep downhill streets and mansion-like homes, right turn to the beach, fishing docks, rabbit bushes, and duck ponds, another right turn to go through the fields of the military grounds, and a last right turn to take a sort of  grass trail alongside the street as we head up the hill towards home.  It has the option of a bit of forest trail thrown in, although we didn't choose that route on Monday.  For Black Jack, it is about as perfect as a walk can be.    

At Spanish Banks, there were many herons fishing.  I watched this one fly by what I think could be its mate.

They flew, one almost directly under the other.  Perhaps it was just a perspective thing, but it seemed they would touch.  I've been watching pairs of herons lately, and musing on their intense focus as they prepare a home for their young.   The sensuality in their partnership leaves me spellbound. I'm told they usually stay together for only one season, but it seems to me they make the best of every moment of that time. 
We continued by the rabbit bushes and over to Jericho.  Ned was in his familiar spot in the marsh.
This red-winged blackbird was nearby.  One of my goals is to photograph one in flight, showcasing the glorious red, but the best I've managed to this point is a still shot that doesn't come close to capturing its beauty.
The ducks are nesting, and quite sensitive.  I stayed back and used my zoom.  
I missed a great photo here.  Black Jack is just leaving in this picture, but she climbed up into this lady's lap before I could stop her, and gave her a kiss which was enthusiastically returned.  I have always thought that if one must live in a seniors facility, the one at Jericho is ideal.  All the apartments on the side and at the back look over the park and the ocean.  The residents are also permitted to have pets.  This lady's own little dog was in the grass nearby.  She was absolutely taken with Black Jack, which of course, warmed my heart.
And, some thoughts about Canada's military.  We walked through the Highbury Street gate, and by young men in uniform, working on their jeeps.  They saw us and smiled.  We continued through the field, and up to this overgrown path bordering the Point Grey hill.
Here are the steps leading to the gate.  I've never met anyone here.  That table-like structure at the left is, I suspect, a shelter for homeless people in the wee hours of the morning.  A coyote den is not far off, so I'm pretty careful with Black Jack.
Black Jack finds this spot fascinating.  Lots of good smells, I guess.
The gate is locked, but the top of it has been open for as long as I can remember.  Years ago, I used to go through with my dog, Scott.  That was a bit tricky, as I had to give him a boost over the top.  Black Jack is much easier.  Just lift her through, and follow.  I guess I should be alarmed that the surveillance is so low-key, but I feel a sense of well-being (along with amusement at the "No Trespassing" sign) every time I come through here.  Canada is a good place to be.  At the same time, I think of the dads and moms on duty, as I watch the kids playing on the flower-bordered front lawns of their lovely little houses.  Right now, the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, and a huge variety of birds sing their joyful songs.  I know all is not as idyllic as it appears, and I always make a silent wish for them to come home safely.  Of all the military outfits across the world, perhaps Canada's is the most gentle. I appreciate that.
Here we are on the other side, ready to head up the rest of Point Grey hill.  I do love the magic of blogging for its ability to register the small, unique moments in the most familiar of walks.

Saturday evening and Sunday morning walks

Saturday evening, Black Jack and I walked down the Blanca Street trail to Spanish Banks Beach.  We met up with a mother and her two children, a boy around five or so, and a girl a little bit older.  They loved Black Jack, and she them, so we ended up walking together for quite some time.  There is something perfect about kids and dogs when they are communicating, and these kids were convinced that Black Jack was responding to their every command. I think they may have been anticipating Black Jack's actions, and giving the command just before, but whatever, the three of them were definitely enjoying the interaction.  No pictures, but definitely a good part of the walk.

There wasn't much light, but I took this photo of a heron fishing by the beach.

A large dog chased it away.  I felt disappointed with the dog's human, but the heron was fine.  It fished a bit further down the beach.

We came back through Jericho Park.  I love this tree.
Another view of the same tree.
Sunday morning, we were back in the same territory, via a different route.  As we walked down the Point Grey Hill, I heard an excited and happy voice call, "Hi, Black Jack."  The same two children were with their mother on a tandem built for three.  For some reason that makes me remember a story from my childhood.  I wasn't a particularly graceful kid, with long, skinny legs and only fair coordination.  My mother, determined to give her kids every advantage, signed us up for ballet and tap dancing lessons.  My sister, smaller and much better coordinated, had to do a duet with me.  The music, if I remember correctly, was "Tea for Two".  Perhaps, you can see the connection to the tandem.  Admittedly, it's a bit of a stretch.  Anyhow, my dear sister wasn't all that enthusiastic about public performances, and although she came on stage with me, she then danced herself right off again, leaving me to do a solo performance.  Not one of my favorite memories, but it has brought laughter more than once, in the years since.  My dancing skills have only deteriorated since that day.  

But, back to the walk.  We met the heron that EvenSong named Ned.  (Since I have never seen more than one heron at Jericho, this  must be Ned.)  He was fishing in the marsh.  It was a grey day, but still, I took pictures.
Then, we walked through the rabbit bushes.  Black Jack was on a short leash, and on her very best behavior.  
A large dog came charging past us, and the bunny took off, safely, I'm happy to say.  Bad picture, but I found it interesting to look at the feet.  I have some old pictures of my last dog with the same position of back feet almost ahead of the front feet.  It was thought that he had Greyhound in him, but maybe he was part rabbit.
I watched for a while, and once the dog was gone, the rabbits assembled for a group photo.
Another dog, and another chase. I guess it keeps the rabbits in shape, and they survived just fine, but I have to wonder at the humans who allow their dogs to do this.  Again, I was intrigued to study the feet.  
It surprised me how many sailboats were out on this grey, coolish day.  It also surprised me that they went so close to the ship.  In my past, I had a sailboard, quite different from a sailboat, but still risky if the sailing skills aren't secure.  I was fairly confident on it, and spent many happy hours playing on the lake in Ste.Agathe des Monts in Quebec.  Several years later, I was living in Nova Scotia, and tried to use it in St. Margarets Bay.  It was a whole different story when learning to take the tide into account.  One day, the wind died completely, the tide was going out, and the only way I could get back home, was to lie on the board and paddle with my hands.  It took a very long time, and I'm a bit ashamed to say, I haven't been on a sailboard since.  Maybe, this summer, I'll take some lessons down at the Jericho sailing school.  
Our last "beast" of the walk was this squirrel.  Black Jack saw it and froze.  The squirrel did as well.  I wonder if they think they're invisible when they melt into the tree trunk like this.
That was our walk.  I'm a bit behind on posts.  There's another Spanish Banks walk, and a visit to the heronry, with a Serena update, still to be posted, but maybe I'll do those this evening.  It's a beautiful morning, and it's lovely being on holiday.  We're off for some more adventures.  To where?  I'm not quite sure.   

Flower Power and

Yesterday, I took only a couple of pictures and they were of flowers.  I am grateful to the people around me who work so hard in their gardens.  I wonder if they realize how much pleasure they give to passers-by.  

I have an iMac.  One of the things I love about it is the monitor.  Pictures just look better on it than on any PC I've tried.  I put this one on my desktop, and it's so bright, I may have to change it soon.  But, for the next few days, I will  absolutely love it every time I open up. 
Today, Black Jack and I walked (again) at Jericho Park.  She loves it there and I do as well.  A lady and her adult son were feeding the ducks and birds.  She drew my attention to this large one on the right.  Her son thought it might be half duck and half goose.  It definitely stood out as being different.  That made me curious, and I wondered if such a thing were possible.  I googled and was happy to know I'm not the first to wonder.  The consensus seemed to be that no, it's not possible.  So, is it a big duck or a small goose?
Here it is again. 
I took these apple blossoms (I think) right beside the rabbit bushes. Or, could they be honeysuckle?  I wish I could convey the aroma along with the visual.  

Speaking of the rabbit bushes, I was concerned, today, to see a young couple walking there with a black and white dutch rabbit.  It was incredibly cute, and I remembered that Bill's sister, Phyllis, has one. They were carrying it in their arms, and had no leash, or carrying case of any kind.  I had a bad feeling, and asked them what they were planning to do.  The girl looked very guilty, and finally muttered that she was moving, that her new place does not accept pets, and that she was going to release it at Jericho.  I tried my very best not to sound as judgmental as I felt.  I told her about the hawks, eagles, owls and coyotes around, and suggested the rabbit would have a much better chance at survival if she tried either the spca, or better still, a rabbit rescue.  She and her boyfriend appeared to listen and understand, and I just have to hope my words made a difference.  I thought of asking them to give me the rabbit, but I had no way to contain it, and Black Jack would have been quite a handful.  Hope you are safe tonight, little rabbit! 

Ever since dp mentioned that she likes to have her ducks all in a row, I can't look at birds in any sort of a line without thinking of her.  These geese arranged themselves for the camera most cooperatively, I thought.
Two games down for the Canucks.  They played well, and Luongo was brilliant.  His first playoff shut-out must feel very, very good.  I'm not counting St. Louis out, though.  I thought they also played well, but had some miserable breaks tonight.  It's a good series.

Loving the sun

Six pictures of Black Jack, five of them in blissful sun-poses.  I guess it's the Chihuahua in her, but she is a sun lover like no dog I have known.  The forecast isn't looking great, with rain expected tomorrow evening, so I'll get her out in the morning and hope she can store up enough to keep her going until the sun makes its next appearance.  I feel like these should have some captions, but captions are not my strong point. (Suggestions welcomed.)

After Black Jack's sun bath, we went for a very long walk.  Skies this blue in Vancouver are fairly rare.
I think the flowers were loving the sun too.

We went all the way to Vanier Park, where we caught this little ferry, which took us across the water to the Aquatic Centre.  It was Black Jack's first time on the ferry, and although she checked out the life saver information, she did so while sitting in the sun, and she definitely enjoyed the ride.  So did I.  I was too slow to get a photo of a huge seal that came right along side the boat.  When I asked the young fellow at the helm if he saw the seal, he said, rather annoyed, "Oh, I see them all the time."

I took a photo of the boat, just for the record.  Inexpensive way ($3) to get out on the water, and perfect for taking Black Jack, rather than doing the long walk over the bridge.  
When we got off the boat, I took this picture of the seal by these kayakers.  It had already traveled quite a distance.  They were ignoring it too.  I wonder if it was lonely, and seeking company.
Black Jack and I walked along the beach, where there were way too many people, all trying to soak up the day.  We left, and were lucky enough to see this cat on the way home.  I worried that it would jump, but it retreated after a little while. I always wonder how people can take a chance like this.  It was only on the first floor, so the distance wasn't the problem, but it was a busy street, and I've seen raccoons in that area many times.  Don't they worry?  On the other hand, the cat seemed very content.  What can I say?  Perhaps I worry too much.

Last night, we also did a long walk.  Reports were finished, and it felt good to catch this Red-winged Blackbird, against a sky just beginning to be tinged with pink, in Jericho Park. 

Black Jack doesn't get as impressed as I do with sunsets; mid day high in the sky is more her cup of tea.  But, she enjoyed the walk, especially through the rabbit territory.  

I did this blog while listening to the Vancouver Canucks play their first game of the playoffs.  I couldn't watch after St.Louis got a goal, but the Canucks hung on and now have game number 1 in their pocket.  Phew! 

What will they do?

The sun shone in spite of today's forecast, and as is often the case in Vancouver, it seemed the majority of people wanted to be outdoors.  I spent the morning with friends, Kitty and Jock, taking pictures at Jericho Park. In the evening, I went to check on Sam and Serena.  I'm sorry to say they were sitting in the spot where a nest had been started, but there wasn't a twig to be seen.  Whether it simply fell apart, or whether the wind blew it away, I have no idea. They didn't appear to be trying to start another one.

I wonder now what they will do.  I did notice that Serena was staring off to the right, where there was a large nest that appeared to be empty.  That may be their only hope.  I'll send them good thoughts, and I guess, let nature take its course, as it is wont to do.
Here are a few pictures from the day.  I learned that Kitty absolutely loves turtles, so this one is for her.
Looks like a little ET face swimming along.
Jock let me use his tripod today.  That was a first for me, and I do think it helped to make the pictures quite clear.  Thanks, Jock!  
I'm not sure what the little spiky things are to the left of the turtle's face.  Part of his foot?
Yet another mallard.  Hard to resist those colors.
I saw these in a flower box as I walked home.  No idea what they were; I don't remember seeing any like them before.
I liked the brilliant red against blue.
I've always loved these trees, and today, took a photo as Black Jack and I walked home.
Another version of the same trees.
One more unidentified flower, on a bush just past the long line of trees.
That was the day - a colorful one.  Now, back to report writing.  Once they are finished, my two-week holiday begins.  I'm looking forward to that time very much.  It will be even sweeter, if Serena and Sam manage to build (or find) themselves a home. 

Friends and Flowers on Saturday

I write this on Sunday (well, I guess, since it is after midnight, Monday), after going with Bill to see Two Lovers at Fifth Avenue Theatre.  I wanted to call out, "No-o-o-o-o-o to one person in each of three relationships portrayed.  I guess you could say I cared about the characters, so if that is the mark of a good film, then it was successful.  If you plan to go see it, do not read the plot description at my link.  Every last detail of the story is given away.  I hadn't realized it was loosely based on Dostoevsky's White Nights.  

It rained most of the day today, and I deleted the few pictures I took.  But yesterday, after a rainy bike ride to the gym, the sun came out (sort of) on my way home, and I took these flowers.

I also took this tree on 8th Avenue.  I've been admiring it for more than a week now, and finally stopped for a picture.  The people who live in the house came out, and were happy to see someone enjoying their tree as much as they do.

When I rode up the back lane, laughter spilled from our yard.  Jock and Kitty were there, with their Sheltie, Lucy. I count myself very lucky to have them as friends.  Jock found my bike for me.  He loves to play tennis and he loves humor and I admire his talent with a camera.  This is his photo of daffodils from Kitty's garden. 

Today, he sent these jokes from The New Yorker's desk calendar.  I hope there is no copyright issue with posting them here, but they point out one of the great things about Jock, and that is how much he appreciates a good joke.

Bill, Jock, Kitty and I sat around our kitchen table, eating snacks and talking.  Black Jack sat on Jock's knee, and I know her head shouldn't have been on the table, but I didn't have the heart to remove her.  She was enjoying a wonderful massage.

As I said, a wonderful massage.
Jock and Kitty bought Lucy from a breeder, where she had been in a kennel for three years.  To my mind, they rescued Lucy.  She came with a long list of things that frightened and depressed her, and it took years of gentle love to bring her to the point where she learned to have some fun.  We walked over to the park, and it was so good to see her playing and happy.
One of the great thing about friends is the sharing of pleasures.  Watching Kitty's reaction when she saw this Easter tree will stay with me for a long time.
Then, we walked by this place, and Kitty erupted (the only word that seems right) with happiness.  I've always enjoyed the sculptures here, but they now hold a memory of Kitty beaming, as she sat on the bench beside a particularly beautiful sculpture of an old woman.  I didn't manage to capture that photo, but across from the bench were these tumbling bears and a wonderful old tree that Kitty made me see as if for the first time. 

And at the neighboring house is this scarecrow.  I hadn't even noticed it before.
Here is Kitty, still happy as she gives Lucy a big hug.  What a great visit, with no particular plan or agenda, except to get together and enjoy each others' company.  

Friday Photos at Jericho

On Friday, Black Jack and I walked down to Spanish Banks, and from there, over to Jericho Beach, where Bill met us.  It was one of those days when the tide was way out at Spanish Banks, and if I had had boots on, we could have walked almost to that boat.  Okay, just kidding, but really, a very long way.  That little spec in front of the boat is someone who has done just that.  I contented myself with taking photos from a distance, and Black Jack was just happy that it wasn't raining.  

As we were walking along, I noticed what seemed like hundreds of little black specs.  I'm still not certain what they are.  I think they may be geese, but the amazing thing is that the camera caught them at all.
Black Jack was, as always, vastly entertained by the rabbits.  These two looked healthy and happy.
This one looked a bit scruffier.  Maybe an older one?  None of them seemed to mind the camera.
Black Jack was quiet at first, but suddenly produced the tiniest, highest pitched squeak I've ever heard from her.  It must have surpassed even the highest note a flute can produce.  I picked her up, and carried her away from the rabbit territory as there was no calming her down.  
I'm not absolutely sure what this bird was, but it was enjoying leftovers put out for the rabbits.
 The red-winged blackbirds love this part of Jericho Park.  I know their call, and love to hear it, but I never seem to be able to catch them in a photo.
I haven't made a positive identification of this bird, either.  I love the fanned tail and intricate patterns.  
Bill was waiting near this grassy area.  It was the perfect conclusion to a fine walk, when this goose waved good-bye.

Sam and Serena's Nest Building Effort

This is Part 4 to describe a walk in Stanley Park last Thursday evening.  By the way, the previous post says it was Friday, but that is a mistake.  I guess it felt like Friday, because the following day was a holiday.  I have decided not to edit that post.  I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but editing text is quite a chore, since the font becomes huge, and I have to go back over the post and change it back to the original size, bit by bit.  That messes up the pictures, and sometimes it can take huge amounts of fiddling time before the post looks right.  

But, on with the post.  As mentioned before, I have decided to focus on two pairs of herons this season.  Stanley and Stella's nest is on the NW side of Park Lane, and Sam and Serena's nest is on the SE side.   For photo taking, it is easier to watch Stanley and Stella in the morning, and Sam and Serena in the afternoon.  There are two other facts that are important to me.  Stanley and Stella began with a much larger base nest.  It wasn't huge, but now that I compare it to Sam and Serena, I realize Stanley and Stella have a great head start on building a family.  Sam and Serena, on the other hand, seem not only to have started late, but they have started from scratch.  I can't imagine, at the pace they are going, that they will ever have a large and sturdy enough nest to raise a family in.  Perhaps, they are younger and less experienced, or perhaps, they haven't taken to nest building as easily as Stanley and Stella.  I admit to being worried for them.  If they finish too late, their eggs will hatch late, and their young will be reaching fledge time long after most juveniles have left the nest.  I prepare myself for the worst, but hope for the best for both pairs of herons.    

When I arrived Thursday evening, Serena was looking, to my anthropomorphic eyes, depressed and confused.  The nest looked puny and pathetic.  There was no sign of Sam.  Maybe, she was just wishing he would hurry up and return with some nesting material.

But, oh my, did she ever work hard.  I watched for at least an hour, I would guess.  She did not stop working in that time.  Here, she stretches up to grab a branch.

There is determination in her eye as she moves the branch to its designated spot.

I can't help but compare what she is expected to do, to someone asking me to build a house, while Bill goes off to buy lumber.  No instructions, no training, just stamina and instinct to keep me going.

Turn the branch to just the right angle to work it into the nest.

Try to weave it in.

Move beak to end of branch, to gain leverage and push it into place.

Sam arrives.  Yes!  He tries to make a landing.  His wings are magnificent, but ungainly.  Has he just dropped the branch?

It looks to me like Serena is trying to recapture a branch that is falling.

Perhaps they both reach for it at the same time, and both miss?  They look almost tangled here.

Oh no!  It's falling..  falling..  gone!

Sam looks concerned and a bit helpless.  I think he's asking what to do, and she's just busy trying to fix things.

Now I think he not only looks helpless, but feels helpless.  (Yes, I know.  Anthropomorphism at its best/worst.)  

Sam: I'm outa here.  She's gonna think I'm a dud.  Serena: Where are you going?  Come back and help me!

I finally left.  The last I saw of Serena, she was waiting for Sam.  Does anyone see any progress on that nest?  Is there hope for Sam and Serena?  I haven't been back since, but hope to check on them again soon.

Close encounters

This is Part 3 to record a walk Friday evening at Stanley Park, when the light was magic and the birds and beasts determined to get up close and personal.

As I walked with my bike along the edge of Lost Lagoon, this Canada Goose came so close, I thought it was going to step on my toes.  Instead, it showed me how geese drink.  It chose the little stream at the left of my bike pannier for the demo.   

Speaking of toes, the goose's are imbedded in what looks like a flat, black rubber paddle.  It's hard not to smile when you see them up close.  I love the way those paddles stream behind in flight.  Geese are versatile birds, graceful in the water, in the air, and though it would be a stretch to call them graceful on land, they are certainly no slouches, getting around amazingly quickly and efficiently.  I had never really watched a goose drink before.  

Step one is to curve the neck and get the beak down to ground level.
Step two is the scoop.
For Step three, they throw the water back and down their long neck.  The first picture in this post amused me, because the goose looked right at me, and just about dared me to smile, as it threw back the water.  
I left the goose and continued a few feet further.  This squirrel popped out of the grass, and also seemed inclined to stare.  Then, I realized both the goose and the squirrel were probably responding to my camera.  It occurred to me that people taking pictures often carry food as a sort of bribery.  I had none.  I've been known to give the occasional crow one of Black Jack's treats, but overall, I like to think the birds and beasts will be able to find food on the less attractive days, when treat-carrying humans are few and far between.
I was a bit intimidated by the demanding look here...
...and that turned to something like shock, as the squirrel leapt onto my front tire, and continued to stare insistently.
I told it firmly that I had no food for it, and that was all it took.  Smart little thing.  It left as quickly as it had arrived.
This pigeon was nearby, and after the goose and the squirrel encounters, I had a moment to take in its magnificent grayscale tones.
It wasn't as eager as the goose and the squirrel to look me in the eye, but it did permit a close-up shot of its back.   
I walked on, and the light seemed to become more and more spectacular with each step.  I reached the little bridge, and stopped again.
Even the branches seemed to play to the light.
As I looked over the bridge, this fellow peeked up, assessing my food potential.  Not wanting a repeat of the squirrel encounter, I held up my empty hands and told it not to waste its time.  
I don't think it was convinced.  I had the feeling it was going to climb right up and over the bridge railing.
Beautiful markings and "I'm coming to get you" in its expression.
And then there were three.  The third was stepping out smartly, determined to get in on whatever the other two were going for.
As the three of them tried to figure out the quickest route to the bridge, I left.  Sorry, guys.  Three of you on my bike would not be ideal.  I headed to the heronry, anxious to catch what was left of the light.  Sam and Serena were working on their nests, but I'll save their photos for Part 4.

Added note: In my last post, I talked about the swans at Stanley Park, and after dp's comment, I did a little more research.  I now realize there are three types of swans in BC.  That link seems to be quite a good one, but in case it is more than you ever wanted to know about swans, I've put a picture from the site at the bottom of this post.  The Mute Swan (on the left) is not native to North America, is the largest of the three, and can be distinguished by the orange beak and knob on its forehead.  Although it is not technically mute, it is definitely the quiet one of the lot.  The trumpeter (middle) and the Tundra (right) are native, and are much more vocal.  Thanks, dp, for triggering my curiosity:)     

Coot hangs around heron and swan

Yesterday, after watching the seagull take a bath, I walked just a few steps further along Lost Lagoon, and saw a heron.  I guess it was taking a break from heronry duties, or perhaps looking for food to take back to its mate.  I think it was enjoying the sun.  It didn't appear to be in any great rush to leave.  An American Coot stayed close by.

*Note: I have just discovered the Bald Eagle Web Cam for the first time since 2006, when I watched a failed hatch in the Hornby nest, and then two eaglets grow and fledge in the Sidney nest.  The next year, I bought an iMac, and couldn't get full screen, and was so frustrated after many attempts, that I finally gave up watching.  (Just corrected a bad link.  Hope this one works.)  This is the same pair, still in Sidney, but in a new nest.  A parent has just flown in and fed a chick that I think hatched yesterday.  There may be one other chick there.  I'm not sure.  I'm still amazed, three years later, at the capabilities of technology!  Two windows and two worlds open to me at once.

On with the blog.

Food potential!  The Coot is still there, hidden completely, at that angle, by the heron.

A swan approaches.  (Another side note: I don't understand why Stanley Park chooses to bring a foreign species into the lagoon.  Just for the public's entertainment?  If I understand correctly, they clip the wings of the swans - not a great thing!  There is enough natural wildlife action to keep people entertained forever at that park.  But that aside, the swans are beautiful (if grouchy).  The coot and the heron get out of the way. 
The swan looks away while the heron stares. 
Now, the swan stares, and I think the heron's glance moves off to the left.  The coot observes.
The coot does a bottoms up in the background.
The heron has had enough.  It flies away..
.. to its little island a tiny distance away.
Peace at last.
A mallard goes bottoms up too.  It creates lovely ripples.
The coot goes looking for food.  It looks like a quizzical nun, don't you think?
Probably all sorts of drama happening around that rock, but I continue on my way.
And a last aside.  That little eagle chick is driving the parent nuts.  Talk about drama!

Rub-a-dub-dub

After a couple of days of dreary weather, and more of the same in the forecast for at least the next few days, it was spectacular to have a sun and blue sky intermission for the ride home this evening.  I rode to Stanley Park, and walked my bike slowly from Lost Lagoon to the heronry.  It seemed every bird and beast felt as elated as I did.  A young seagull took a bath, a heron met an American Coot and a swan, a goose drank some water, a squirrel climbed up on the wheel of my bike, some raccoons waded in the pond, and Sam and Serena worked on their nest.  I've decided to break up the posts.  Here is the seagull bath.

Fluff and shake up feathers.  

Flap like crazy.
Put the right wing in.
Wash face.
Right wing up.
Left wing in.
Arm pit check.
Two-wing flap.
Step out of water.  Shake.
Fan the wings..  Hang on by tippy toes to avoid lift off
One clean seagull says, "Who are you looking at?  A little privacy please."
There were lots of other people around, but no one so much as glanced at the seagull.  I guess I have to conclude that I have some unique (positive spin) interests, but that bathing ritual was great entertainment today .

Pick up Sticks

It's hard not to ooh and aah as I ride back and forth to school these days.  Cherry blossoms line many of the bike path streets.  This tree by the Seaforth Armoury, just before the Burrard Bridge, is one of my favorites.  There was a house finch in it, singing up a storm today.  I had to stand right at the trunk, and look way up, before I finally located it.  My pictures were impossibly bad, so I'll let you imagine the bird, but here is my bike beside the tree.. 

...and one of a garland of blooms circling an offshoot of the trunk.
Along Pacific Street, I stopped to admire some magnolia blooms.  Again, the pictures were too poor to post, but I saw another person stopped at the neighboring tree, so I wasn't alone in my admiration of the hot pink blooms.  I continued on to Stanley Park, and just by the Parks Board Office, saw these tiny blue flowers.
Bluebells, I wonder?  Delicate little wild things.  I hope nobody mows the grass under them.
I crossed over the small street, to stand just beside the heronry.  Ocean haze and a boat peeked through these bushes.  The orange ones brought sun where there was none.  
A squirrel came towards me and climbed this tree.
It braced itself...
...leaned back, and grabbed this branch.  Maybe it was trying to imitate the herons, who were very busy working on their nests.
As I said, impossible light today, but I had to record these four herons, who have set up two nests that are practically touching.  Just above them is Stanley and Stella's nest.  The silhouettes appear sort of depressed, but in fact, the heronry was buzzing with activity. I think they were just taking a small break.
Here is Stanley and Stella's tree.  Their nest is all the way to the right, over the tiny version of the four shown above.
Today was the first time I saw a heron get a twig from the ground.  I had been wondering if they do that.  So far this season, I have only seen them fly to another tree, pull branches off, and return to their own tree.  This heron chose a pretty thick twig.  He and his mate had trouble working it in to their nest, and it finally dropped to the ground.  They didn't retrieve it, I guess they had erred in estimating the correct size for the job. 
I thought about lots of things today as I rode to work.  Finally, it was this quote that I saw on Anna's blog a day or two ago, that left the deepest impression:  'All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it!' - by Bob Newhart  

Bushtit, not titmouse

I took this picture today at Stanley Park.  I was very excited to see some birds flying in and out of the nest that Dalyce pointed out yesterday (previous post).  I couldn't see them clearly, but one of them shows up fairly well in the photo (if you click on it), so I have now taken my first picture ever of.....

...Not a titmouse.  But, a bushtit.

Yes, I got it wrong.  Interesting how the mind works.  Here's the story.  Last night, after Dalyce pointed out what I remembered as a titmouse nest, I came home, eager to tell Bill about it.  He is always supportive of my interests, but I would have to say that birds may not make his top three list of most exciting things in life.  However, he definitely liked the name titmouse, and we had a somewhat lengthy and humorous discussion about why.  It amounted to being able to say the word "tit" out loud and up front with no apology to anyone.  He then googled the origin of the word as it applies to birds, and confirmed what he had already guessed, that it means small.

Dalyce sent me an e-mail today, and when I read it, I laughed out loud.  Here is a quote from her message:

About your blog, you might want to correct the bushtit's nest name; I also used to call them titmouses (something about the word "tit" sticks in our minds, eh?) Took me years to get "bushtit" right!

I was amused by my mistake, but curious about my link in yesterday's post to a blogger who  rehabbed a titmouse.  Surely, we weren't both making up a new bird species. I was relieved to find that, such a thing as a titmouse exists.  I googled titmouse and bushtit this evening, and found some pictures and information to compare and contrast these two birds.

I imagine you have already guessed that today I visited the heronry, again. But, with only an afternoon visit, I 

feel less inclined to think of myself as obsessed.  Phew!

My favorite picture of the day was this crow.  He spent quite some time watching me take pictures of the herons. I could swear he muttered, "It's about time," when I finally turned my attention in his direction.  I think he was rather pleased to pose for me.

I also liked these daffodils (trevithian, I think).  Bill says they make him think of diesel train horns, or an 18-wheeler horn.  He says to take your pick.
I sat on the curb to take the photos, so the trees look very small, or perhaps, the flowers huge.

(Sorry about the traffic sign in the back.)

No winning heron photo here, but I think this fellow, aiming for the nest, looks cool in mostly black and white tones.

The little nesting series to follow does not show Stanley and Stella, but another couple, as afternoon shots of Stanley and Stella's nest are not possible with the sun position.  Now I need two more names, so I will have an identifiable morning and afternoon pair.  Here the male comes in for the landing, twig in mouth.  Only part of the female made it into the picture, but, to me, something in her body position denotes her encouragement of his efforts.
He now moves past her, and gets in position to pass the twig.  These two have the barest beginnings of a nest.  I look forward to watching it grow.  I sure hope they can work quickly!
I love the way they each take on the same stance in this and the next picture.  Here, they lean to their right.  He has a twig in his mouth, but I could swear he's smiling.
Here, they both look up.  Do you notice the nest looks ever so slightly more substantial?

Many thanks to both Jean and EvenSong for offering great name suggestions for Stanley's mate.  I ended up going with EvenSong's idea of Stella, both for the alliteration and because Bill liked the Streetcar Named Desire reference. I hope that reference doesn't jinx Stanley and Stella's relationship.  The sexual chemistry alluded to is fine, but no emotional abuse, please, Stanley!

All suggestions for names for the afternoon pair welcomed!

Nesting

Today, I confess, with some embarrassment, to visiting the heronry at Stanley Park twice.  I stopped on the way to school and I stopped again on the way home.  I choose to believe it is Stanley with a new mate in these next two pictures.  I can't name his mate Sue, as in Stanley and Sue of last season, because they were siblings.  Maybe he got together with Sydney, but "Stanley and Sydney" sounds like two males, so I guess I'm looking for a female name to go with Stanley.  Stanley was extremely affectionate and supportive of his mate.  They worked together on their nest this morning, and each time Stanley left and returned, they seemed to caress each other.      

I took one flower picture on the way to school.
When I returned to the heronry after school, I met Dalyce.  She has been observing the herons seriously for several years now.  She works closely with Vancouver Parks Board to monitor the nests, and she was the one who first told me about the heronry three years ago.  We talked about how difficult it is for young herons to build their first nest.  They are on their own, since the parents have nothing more to do with them, once they fledge. There is nobody to teach them, and it's very much a trial and error process. We watched this pair together.  Dalyce said they are just starting a nest, and it is quite the challenge to manipulate the twigs.  Sometimes they drop them, and sometimes, they just don't know where to put them.  It's hard to tell there is any nest in this picture.  Dalyce kept saying to the heron, "Just a little to your left."  To be honest, I think I see a small clump that could become a nest, but I'm not absolutely sure.  Dalyce, if you read this, is it just above the lower heron's head?



Dalyce also pointed out this titmouse's nest.  I have never seen one before, so I looked it up, and found a blog entry in 2006, when Julie Zickefusse rescued one with a broken wing.  There are several good pictures, and a great one showing the two wings working.  Below is a picture of the nest in Stanley Park.
Here are two other herons working away on their nest.
The last two pictures are "just because" ones, both taken this evening.  

Two walks, heron stopover, Metasequoia

As I left for a walk with Black Jack this morning, I told Bill it was going to be a short one.  I returned home about two and a half hours later, after taking a wrong trail in the endowment lands, and going much further than intended.  Black Jack really enjoyed herself, but limped a bit just at the end of the walk.  Her luxated patella condition is seeming to bother her more lately, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to talk to a vet about it.  The first vet she saw, in North Vancouver, said that she had the condition in both back knees,but that it wasn't very advanced, and might possibly never become any worse.  She is hopping on three legs more often recently when the knee pops out of the socket, but it doesn't seem to upset her or cause pain.  I have a fear of surgery, but may have to consider it.

As I walked through the woods, I decided to focus my attention on geometric shapes and interesting patterns.

On the way home, we saw this cat hanging out in a lane.
I came home, rearranged the afternoon plan with Bill to accommodate my lateness (Thank you, Bill), and biked to Stanley Park.  This was my best heron shot, I think.
My flight shots were terrible, but made me think quite a bit about the process of building a nest.  This heron was coming in for a landing, but the feet were tucked up and under.  I've noticed that they often fly to a nearby tree to get their twigs.  Sometimes, invading other herons' twig territory causes fights.  I wonder if they sometimes go down on the ground to get twigs, but they definitely do not do that anywhere near the heronry.  When they bring a twig back, the pair work together, with amazing cooperation, it seems to me, to weave it into the nest.  It seems to be a fascinatingly slow and painstaking process.
Landing gear down in this one.
After some time bird watching, I cycled over to North Vancouver to meet Bill and our friend, Dianne, at Bridgman Park.  This picture of Bill at the end of a long, pink leash made me smile. 
Black Jack marching out, in beautiful form.
She seems to enjoy being near the water, but doesn't go in.  
This dog, on the other hand, was having a great time in the water.  He went in after his ball, and then threw it back to his human.  Clever move.  I love it when Black Jack, too, occasionally throws the ball back to us.   
This crow was calling, I think, to its mate, but the picture makes me laugh, because the crow seems to be displeased with its reflection. 
Black Jack met lots of dogs.  It's rare to find her the largest in a group.
We headed over to JJBean with Dianne and her dog, Haley, for some treats.  My latte seemed unusually beautiful, and I took a picture of it. Bill's peanutbutter-oatmeal cookie snuck into the picture too.  He said it was good, but I wonder if he was a bit disappointed that they were all out of raspberry crisps.  The latte led to an interesting bit of knowledge.  As I was taking the picture, the man at the next table came to admire the pattern.  He said it looked like a fossil, naming it Metasequoia, and adding that he was a geologist.  He said that the fossil could be seen in Kamloops.  I googled it when I came home, and found lots of information, including that the live version of the tree can be found in China.  I enjoyed this blog post that came up by googling the fossil.  If you scroll down a bit, there is a picture of a real fossil from Kamloops that the blogger was given.  Bill and I both thought it was pure serendipity that a latte and a geologist would connect at the perfect moment to bring us information that we would otherwise never have known in a million years.  Perfect, Bill thought, for a Trivial Pursuit game.
Here is Dianne with Haley.  Haley went through about a thousand adorable poses to convince me to part with more dog treats, but she was so close to the camera, I couldn't get a passable photo of her cuteness.  Then Dianne had a little conversation with her about keeping her paws off the table.  Haley is doing her best to convince Dianne that she is taking her seriously.
Bill and I visited Dianne's beautiful home.  Her friend Doran collects stones.  I love, love, love these colors!
Doran also collects interesting objects that travel across the ocean.  The ones in this bowl come from Newfoundland.  There were also many beautiful balls from Japan.  It's amazing to me that they could travel such a distance without breaking.   
On the way home, I took one picture through the truck window of some beautiful cherry blossoms.  They were on a street in Kitsilano, near Greens and Gourmet, where we had supper.
Neither Dianne nor I are big fans of having our picture taken, but Bill took his camera along today, and I knew better than to argue, since he allows me to take so many of him.  Here I am at Bridgman.  
And here we are at JJBean.  We are both finding the picture taking process a bit challenging, but our smiles reflect a fun time together with friends on a perfect day.  Even the geologist can be seen (with sunglasses on his head) in the background. Thanks, Bill, for recording the moment, for driving to North Van, for bringing Black Jack, and for accommodating your day to my pleasure, as you so often do.  

Bill & Black Jack, and Saturday walk

Black Jack loves Bill, and I love to watch them together, so this post begins and ends with them.  Friday night, Black Jack sat staring at Bill, until he finally got the hint that she wanted to play. This bed serves many purposes, one of which is a tug-of-war toy.   

She trusts him so completely, he can do pretty well anything with her.
The bed is about to bite the dust, but Black Jack still loves to be in it, regardless of the circumstances.  She is so comfortable, she looks as though she's about to demand an in-the-air belly rub.  
Today was beautiful out, and I took Black Jack for a walk.  We headed over to Blanca Street (I have been mistakenly calling it Bianca Street for a long time.)  Bill said tonight, "Did you hear they renamed Bianca Street?"  I fell for it completely, and asked with surprise what its new name would be.  "Blanca," he replied.  I think I will remember the name now.  Just at the corner of Blanca and 8th Avenue, we met Kojak, a hairless terrier.  He was a very happy well-adjusted little fellow, and he and Black Jack had a great romp.
Kojak's sister, Stella, was a bit less outgoing...
...but she gained confidence as long as she could stay at the rear. (I used photoshop to disguise Black Jack's less attractive end (in my opinion:)  I have always wondered why anyone would choose to breed a hairless animal, but have to say these were great little dogs. Both had little wrinkled faces that were adorable. I'm thinking they are not for outdoor types, as I guess they would need protection from the sun and heat, as well as from the cold. 
Black Jack and I continued down Blanca Street, believe it or not, for our first time.  I love this area, because there are so many possible walking routes.  There was a construction project going on, and the crane set-up was fascinating.
This bear sits at the bottom of Blanca Street.
The sign under the bear reads: Casa Blanca
Just to the left of the bear is a trail leading down the hill to Spanish Banks.  I discovered it for the first time today.
Black Jack loved it.  Here, she is focused on a squirrel way down the hill.
There must be mice or small animals living under the driftwood at Spanish Banks.  She sniffed.. 
...and sniffed...
...and sniffed some more.
When she went in this hole, I got my camera ready to snap her photo as she came back out.  But she completely disappeared in that log, finally coming out on the other side.  All you can see in this picture is her leash.
Then it was time for me to indulge my obsession.  I took endless seagull photos at the fishing dock, and each one had some aspect that I liked, so I couldn't pick between them for this post.  In this one, it's the fact the two are lined up almost perfectly perpendicularly.
I liked the way these two fly in opposite directions, and I like the way the tail fan is a background for the little feet.
So close!  Love the geometric dividing detail in the wings.

Little orange feet, dangling.
Wings almost fold in half.
I've never seen such ragged wings.  I don't think it was the wind.
Lovely patterns.
Eyes focused, about to land on the pole.
Flowers seemed to be popping up everywhere today, but the picture below was taken in Victoria a couple of weeks ago.  

Bill met me at the little museum by the water, on Alma Street.  I took these through the truck window, as we headed to The Wicked Cafe for a latte.As promised, the post ends as it started, with Black Jack and Bill.  She was as comfortable and happy as could be, sitting in his hand.  As you can see, my latte is completely gone, every last drop.  
We came home, had one of Bill's great home-cooked meals, and watched the Canucks lose to Edmonton.  I thought it was a good game, with the Canucks playing well, but Roloson definitely deserving the win.  A good Saturday, and even better, knowing there is sun expected for tomorrow.   

Hooked on Herons

I stopped to see the herons on the way home this evening.  It's hard to bike on by, even on grey days, but when the sky is blue, it's impossible. Once the leaves are on the trees, shots like this one will be impossible.

They're very intense when they're working on the nests.  In fact, the whole business of choosing a mate, preparing the nest, sitting on the eggs, and then feeding the young appears to be a full time job, even shared by both parents.  I guess their vacation is at the end of August when the chicks fledge.  I don't know if the juveniles go out on their own at that time, or if the parents stay with them for a while.  I also have no idea where they go.  Still lots to learn.
This looked like an "aren't they sweet" moment to me...
...but a moment later, they didn't appear to be as compatible as I thought.  Maybe that's just their way.
Condo living at its worst.
I'm learning to leave the zoom off until I find one in flight in my viewfinder.  Then, I slowly zoom in as I try to follow the image through the sky.   For this photo, and the next one, the herons were almost directly over my head, and I did the beginning of a backbend before snapping the picture.  Hard on the neck, this bird watching!
I like the head and neck in these two, but would have loved some light through the wings.  
This last shot didn't work, but I love the curve in the neck, the rounded wings, and the curled back feet (talons?).  
Stanley and Sue's nest is on the wrong side of the sun, for evening shots, but their nest had filled out considerably since my last visit.  I think they're doing well.  That's life as I saw it at the Stanley Park heronry today.

Beauty and a Bird Sighting

I stopped this morning, just before the Lions Gate Bridge, on the way to school.  I liked this flower, and thought of my sister, Sherrill.  It is her birthday today, so this one is for her.

Just a tiny bit further along, and still before the bridge, I took these two photos at the edge of Stanley Park.  Bill thought the green moss looked like Geckoes climbing the tree.  That made me think of a post by Ruby Isabella Jones that I enjoyed a few days ago.
The knot in this tree seemed remarkable in some way, and Bill liked it too, so this one is for him. 
Shortly after I finished my last class for the day, Kevin, our dorm supervisor ran upstairs to tell me there was a large bird sitting in the tree at the back of the school.  Thanks, Kevin, for taking time to let me know!  I grabbed my camera and went outside with him, but the light was really poor.  The best I could do was the photo below.  At first, I thought it must be an Osprey, because I know there is a nest nearby, but on checking my book, I'm again leaning to Cooper's Hawk (possibly juvenile?), just as I did when I saw the bird at Jericho Park several weeks ago.  I'm still uncertain, so if anyone has more definite identification, that would be great.  Although students were playing tennis nearby, and lots of people were walking their dogs, the bird seemed quite relaxed.
It finally left, and I just managed to catch a last glimpse as it flew over the school roof.
After a grey day, the light at sunset changed dramatically.  I took this from the Burrard Bridge.
The cherry blossoms have been out for just a few days, but there are already quite a few on the ground, the result, I guess, of several really windy days.  I've admired this tree, against a building painted a lovely shade of green, for the past few mornings.  Tonight, with the light fading quickly, it seemed the right time to stop and record the combination of white cherry blossom against subtle green.
There was a lot of beauty in today.