For the love of all wild things: ocean

Showing posts with label ocean. Show all posts

2012/08/07

Attending WCH volunteer orientation at UBC & Cyanide-producing Millipedes

Went to UBC early in the morning to attend the WCH volunteer orientation. I haven't been to UBC in a while, and surprise surprise, there is still construction going on at the campus. Since I started going to UBC in 2004, I don't think there has been a year where UBC is completely free of construction machines. This is probably the main reason why I dislike UBC so much.

Anyways, the bus arrived earlier than expected so I walked to the rose garden to see some sights.

Fireweed with water droplets.

Dining Out Vancouver & Visiting UBC

Today, my parents and I went out to UBC to have lunch at the Westward Ho! Public House & Grill Room. The restaurant is taking part at the annual Dine Out Vancouver event where people can try out different restaurants at relatively reasonable prices ($18, $28, and $38). This is our first time and so we decided to go for the $18 menu at this restaurant at the UBC Golf Course because of its menu (there are some pictures here, as well as a YouTube video showing the dishes). I wish I have eyes for good taking food photos, like these here by blogger Sam Lin.

We ordered all three appetizers and entrees to have a taste of everything. For appetizers, we like the Tempura Battered Scallops the most, and the lamb for the entree. The three kinds of desserts in one course is excellent too. Overall, the food was good and price was more than reasonable considering the type of food we had. The only negative thing I can think of is probably the slowish service. I probably give everything a 3/4 - good, but not over-the-top excellent.

Anyways, after lunch, I asked to be dropped off at the UBC so I can go to the library and find some research articles.

When I had enough of staring at the computer, I headed outside to enjoy the surprising nice afternoon.

UBC is a beautiful campus when you don't look at the constructions and new buildings.

Cityscape and bird-watching from Jericho Beach

Today I went to Vancouver to pick up a reference letter from one of my old professors for my application to Trent University. Since she lived close to Jericho Beach, I decided to walk down to it and take some pictures.

It was a cloudy day with raining clouds gathering together, and so it seemed more appropriate to have black-and-white photos to tell a more interesting story.

Peaceful North Shore Mountains.

The city from afar.

Walked along Iona jetty

I drove to Iona this afternoon and decided to walk the entire way along the jetty, which I haven't done before.

Definitely a nice day to take on this task.

Saw a grebe along the jetty. Probably a Western Grebe.

Some announcements & enjoying the blue cloudless day

What is going on with me lately, you may ask. Well, yesterday I received an HP Photosmart D5460 Printer as a winning prize from a photo contest I submitted to. But seeing how I already have two printers (one becomes a fax machine and one is currently in use), I may sell it and use that money to go towards buying a DSLR for myself. So if you're interested, let me know. Otherwise, I might turn it into a photo printer (which it is) and start to print some of my photos.

In addition, the Ontario job that I applied/phone-interviewed for went through, and so I'll be spending 4+ months in Carden, Ontario in the summer - which I am quite excited and nervous about since this will be actually my first time away from home for an extended period of time (interning and working in Taiwan doesn't really count). But I am also excited to be a part of an important program and the opportunity to see other parts of Canada and its wildlife.

But that's not for another two months, so I need to stop worrying (about food, housing, laundry, travel, etc) and enjoy the nice weather we have today.

Beautiful cloudless blue sky.

Snow Geese at Terra Nova Natural Area.

More Snow Geese at Terra Nova Rural Park.

I feel calm and peaceful everytime I come here.

Mr. Gadwall, as well as American Wigeons, a Scaup, and some Hooded Mergansers were found in the slough.

Flowering Crocuses.

Nice view.

Heard and then saw these two Bald Eagles. Then they flew back to the nest.

One Bald Eagle was inside and one was outside the nest. Then suddenly the eagle outside the nest took off - leaving me with a dark dark photo because I didn't have time to change the settings. But thanks to the wonderful computer technology, I was able to clean it up and produce the image above. Not bad at all, if I say so myself.

That's all for today. Cheers!

365 days ago (2009-02-16) ...
.

2010/02/05

Biked to Steveston & Saw Kingfisher

I biked southward along the dyke today - towards Steveston. I did not saw too much wildlife today. But while I was photographing some Mallards, a blue something flew in between us. I looked at it and it was a female Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)!

It didn't stay perched for too long, and pretty soon it was off to another tree and then gone. Definitely made today's trip worthwhile.

I biked around the Garry Point Park enjoying the sunny blue sky and the sound of the ocean.

Looking at Olas de Viento (Wind Waves).

Mt. Baker.

Another lengthy photo of the sunset in Garry Point Park.
.

2010/02/01

Relatively Sunny Sunday

The gray and drizzling weathers in the last couple of days in January really dampened my desire and plans to use my bus pass for an extended day trip. So, off to the dyke I go again!

A Northern Harrier swooped by across from me.

Female Northern Harrier

House Finch

Saw a flock of House Sparrows today

A lonely Great Blue Heron.

This male harrier flew by near the heron and stopped on a log. By the time I tried to take a picture, it was off again.

Saw Snow Geese transferring from one field to the next - avoiding obstacles on the way.

Follow the leader

Landing

Panoramic view of Snow Geese...and with more coming.

Saw the Gadwells, Mallards, and a pair of female Hooded Mergansers at the slough today. But it was the budding Pussy Willows that caught my attention.