Lunar New Years

We were in Richmond today at one of the malls and they were having a big Lunar New Year celebration. It was great fun. There were three dragons and two drummers and assorted dancers making their way through the mall eating red ribbons from the store entrances to bring them good luck.

They had singers and dancers on stage near the food court. And more drummers.

And crowded. Wow. It was crazy in there today. But great to see the monster fascinated by all the colours and music.

Rusty old Fridge

I can't tell you why different things catch my eye. They just do. Tonight it was this old old fridge, left to rust in a shed.

Despite the crappy light, I managed to get a few good shots.

Boundary Bay

I go out to Boundary Bay quite often. The dogs have been with me a few times and they love it. I'll admit that if no one is around, I let them off their leash. They have a lot of fun. I just make sure they know I have the biscuits so they come running back when I call. Otherwise I'd be chasing the damned beagle off into... well... the middle of nowhere, no doubt.

Anyway, today I took them and let them have a little run while I got some pictures. One of those pics is my picture of the day, of course.

Morning out over the bay for my pic of the day.



I've mentioned to people recently that we've had a lot of bald eagles down here. By a lot I mean I saw more than twenty today. These were just two of them.


Now... when I was on the other side of the bay, I saw a blue heron with a mouse. I pulled over to take a picture. AS I was pulling over to take the picture, a bald eagle swooped down, scared the heron who dropped the mouse and took off. The eagle then enjoyed the mouse. It was incredible to see. Just wish I could have caught the first part of it with the camera! Of course, that would have had me crashing into something so probably just as well I didn't.



All in all, a very good morning.

A drive to Point Roberts

I know, I know. A long absence. But seeing as I'm doing a project 365 and taking a picture a day again (every day so far for 2011), I want to use this as well. I'm posting the picture a day on my Facebook but on some days I end up with several pictures that I think are worth sharing.

For example... today I took a drive to Point Roberts. Kind of strange to need my passport to do it when I can remember just zipping across the border with my drivers license. Ah well, the world it does keep changing.

So, today's Project 365 picture. I'm ridiculously proud of this one. You know how sometimes you're going through pictures and you're not sure which one is -the- picture, then one just LEAPS out at you? That was this picture today.


But it was a great day. Nice light. Blue skies this way. Clouds that way. Made for a great variety of pictures.


I like the different textures in this one. The smooth stones, the rippled sand, and the choppy water.


The heron wasn't thrilled with me getting too close. But that's okay, catching him in mid-flight was awesome.


I actually got quite close to him before I apparently made a noise he didn't like and took off on me.


Mount Baker there, off in the distance.


The driftwood, the sand, the water... I could have relaxed here for a long time.


Now, here's what I meant about the light and the cloud cover being so interesting today. This picture? Is the same sailboat that's in my project 365 picture. This picture was just taken a bit earlier. I waited for him to sail along so I could get the other picture.

I guess this was an old pier. Something is definitely missing from it. The birds seem to appreciate it though.


An immature bald eagle taking off of the warning light tower. He was really very cooperative, just wish the light had been a bit different for this one.


Did I mention that I could spend a lot of time relaxing out here? Of course, it wasn't quite as warm as it might look but it was a crisp breeze and great day to be out walking.




Love the sound of the waves hitting the shore.


I am not sure what the pole is for. There are some other ones but they're further back. This one? out quite a bit further.


The bald eagle sitting there? Swear I didn't even notice him until I saw the picture on the laptop. I think the seagull looks like he's plotting something.


And finally, the beach, facing off towards Tsawwassen.

Just a great day to be out and about with a camera.

Queen Elizabeth Park

Yesterday I went to Queen Elizabeth park to go to the Bloedel Conservatory. And, of course, I had to get a few outdoor shots. I didn't have a lot of time to really wander the Park but I still took a bit of time and got a few good shots.

The Park has a great view of Vancouver, of course.


It's positioned up high, as you can see, so you overlook the city and the mountains. And since it's on a hill, the park itself is very pretty to look down over.


The flowers have been blooming for a while now so it's colourful too!


I loved the colours of these tiny little flowers.


And you just can't go wrong with some tulips.


Now, one of the features outside the Conservatory (which you can see in the background of this picture, of course) is a sculpture called "Photo Session" that was done in 1984. And it's kind of exactly what it sounds like. One character - presumably the father - taking a very touristy picture...


...of what is, presumably, his family. At least I hope so. I'd hate to think he's taking pictures of other random statues.

The piece is amusing for a number of reasons. The clothes that they're wearing is just one. The fact that I remember my parents taking similar pics of all of us on assorted trips is another.

But the part of the piece that really makes me smile? Is the camera that the Dad is using to take his picture.

Behold! The classic Kodak Instamatic X-35!

Why do you ask, does this amuse me so? Well, my very first camera was....


...the Kodak Instamatic X-15. Now, maybe I should be jealous his is a model or three above mine but I did get it as my first camera. Back in the 70s. And he had his in 1984. So I'm not jealous.

I do, however, find it amusing that I still have my old Instamatic tucked away. And I just had to get it out and take a picture of it to prove to you all that this was once the extent of my camera equipment.

Ah, the memories. The square pictures with the rounded corners. The film cartridge - no self winding required! The square flash that went on top and had four sides. It rotated with every shot taken and a flash would burn out. When you went through all four, you popped it out, tossed it, and put in a new one.

I'd say forgive me, I was young. But truth is? I loved that camera! And got a whole lot of mileage out of it.

When I have some time alone, I often take my camera and go out. Today I decided to go to the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park.

I did take quite a few flower shots but honestly, I was drawn to the birds that live loose in the dome most of all.

Cheeky little buggers. The parrots were very cooperative. The other birds? Not so much.

Anyway...

This is the Conservatory and the fountain that's up top.

The dome opened in 1969 and it's interesting looking at the archival footage because you can't see the trees within when it first opened.

They're taller now, of course.

Inside there are four biomes. Two rainforest, one subtropical and one desert. I'll be honest though, the desert area is very small. The rainforest has taken over!

And I did take a few flower pics.

But really, I was trying to catch the birds.

As previously mentioned the parrots were easy.

The others were harder to catch. Some were so hard I can't even post the pictures here. Too blurry or too much foliage in the way. But I did manage to get some of the more difficult ones.

This one? I must have stalked him around the dome twice and taken about 15 pics before I finally got one decent one.

This fellow was shy, tucked into his own little space.

But the hands down hardest one? This guy. He stayed in one area easily enough but he was chasing three other birds and he moves like a chicken, only much faster. It took me forever - and about 25 attempts - to get a few good ones. Or a couple good ones and a couple decent ones.


It's like a jungle in there, literally. Very warm and very humid. So I did sit on a bench and take a little time to just relax.

It's lovely in there, it really is. But I have to admit, going back outside into the cooler air with that nice breeze?

Bliss.