Tag: Strathcona
MAGGIE OUT FOR A WALK
MAGGIE’S SNOWY FLIGHT
MAGGIE GIRL
Its been 22 days since I last went out on one of my evening shoots. The weather has been poor over January,but thats to be expected this time of year. January has more raincoats than sunglasses.
So it was great to get out and visit with my fine feathered friends! I visited “The Daredevil”,Maggie and Romeo. I saw Juliette looking on from a distance but she’s always been a tad distant. They each seemed to be their chirppy happy selves!
ERNIE CHOWING DOWN
Ernie was having a snack when I came by. I always look for them on this rock because of the great background!
ERNIE & ETHEL’S LOFTY PERCH
Ernie & Ethel have the best seat in the harbour! Their nest tree is on Strawberry island, specifically the NE corner. Their favourite place to perch is on this tree. Eagles always want the highest spot so they can see whats going on around them.
Those mountains in background are in Strathcona Park over 22 miles away.I used my large focal length lens to shoot these. Longer focal lengths bring the background seemingly closer.(compression)
Notice that mist layer in the first shot. That mist forms because of warmer moist air coming off of the ocean. The warmer air rises, chills & condenses due to the small glacier laying underneath. The soft pinkish colour is perfect but lasts only a few minutes.
MAGGIE STRETCHING HER WINGS
A HERON VISTA
SEARCHING FOR DINNER
THE “SHARON M”
MAGGIE
MAGGIE GIRL
MAGGIE!
TAKING FLIGHT
MAGGIE GIRL
AHEAD BY A BEAK
When Maggie Girl took off,she inadvertently spooked a Gull close to her.It thought she wanted some “take out KFC”!
MAGGIE GIRL
MAGGIE OUT FOR A WALK
WINTERS DRESS
We have a strong high pressure system entrenched along the west coast.This means sunny days & cold nights. This will be the very last week any furry straggler will be about.They almost all have gone to sleep for the winter but If there are any stragglers……..this is there final week!
BUSY HARBOUR
PRETTY IN PINK
The first snows have fallen up in the mountains. This is Mt.Mariner in Strathcona park.I keep a eye on this area because I’ve noticed something a bit odd. In the winter time there always seems to be a low level cloud hanging around in this spot. I now have figured out why.During the summer the spot directly below the cloud never melts.Meaning It’s a solid chunk of ice.,a small glacier! So during the winter this spot is much colder than the surrounding air.The air coming off of the ocean contains lots of moisture.When moist air is cooled,dew point is reached  & so fog forms.
I’d love to go & camp in this spot! The photo opportunities look fantastic!
MAGGIE GIRL IS BACK!
I was so happy to find my feathered girlfriend “Maggie” back! I haven’t a clue where she’s been?I saw her partner “Moe” as well.I know it was him as he was so standoffish.
“Maggie” seemed to be looking at me & wondering why I was worried about her not being around!
MAGGIE GIRL AT REST & PLAY
TAKING OFF
ERNIE OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD
MAGGIE GIRL
MAGGIE SOARING
MAGGIE’S ABOUT FACE
LOFTY PERCH
We had 4 hours of sunshine today. I had been watching the next Frontal system moving in on the satellite site. So I knew the sunset was snuffed. No point in going out in my boat or out to the beach.So I rode down the road to see if either Ernie or Ethel was hanging around on their Strawberry island perch? Sure enough,one of them was!
THE EYES HAVE IT
Double-Crested Cormorants eyes have the most beautiful shade of aqua marine!
“MAGGIE” TAKES A WALK
FOLLOW THE LEADER
I found Ernie & Ethel sitting side by side! I don’t see them doing that very often.It’s mating season so they tend to hang out a lot together.So much so that when Ethel took off,Ernie joined her seconds later!
HEADING RIGHT……COMING LEFT
MAGGIE COMES OVER
Pardon the pun,but when I’m around Maggie,she watches me like a Hawk. I called her over & she responded immediately! She’s such a joy!
“MAGGIE’S” SUNSET
COOL BREEZE
THE “HARVEST KING” COMING BACK IN
MAGGIE GIRL
TOFINO VISTA
Great spot to park!
DAYS END
I wish I could shoot this shade of pink more often! The air has to be very clean of dust with no humidity.
SUNSET VISTA
HARBOUR SUNSET
ERNIE,ETHEL & I WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
as well as good health to each of you! Health above all!