Steveston on Easter weekend, 2011

Here is a video from the dock... yes, that IS a pan flute playing in the background.
Busking has come to Steveston!

Easter Weekend 2011

April 23 and 24, 2011
around noon



Steveston Harbour... pirates have invaded Steveston!

There is a lovely pirate ship on the dock, complete with mermaid and skeleton crew member. The front of the boat has two rows of seats. Does anyone know what is going on? I so want a ride, but when my sister and I cautiously approached the boat, there wasn't a pirate (or person) to be seen.

Leaving Steveston via the Explorathor boat in the Vancouver Whale Watch fleet.
Gorgeous day to see some whales, eh?

There are lots of fishing boats lined against the docks. 

Purse seiners and gillnetters have been increasing in the Gulf waters due

to the start of fishing season. The number of fishermen selling their catch in the harbour has exploded.
This weekend we saw plenty of the ocean's bounty available from friendly, 

local fisherboats... from tuna to shrimp to cod.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seine_fishing

Here's a new sight... the floating gas station is open, or at least, it looks like it got a paint job. Lots of boats were waiting in line to get a drink of the black stuff.

20 April 2011
 about 5pm


The local swan family is at it again... time to lay some eggs! I found mommy swan burying herself in grass and twigs while another swan (daddy?) was helping collect more for the nest. 

 Steveston Marina is gearing up for the Spring and Summer months. Today was the first time I noticed fishing boats selling their bounty. Shrimp, tuna, and salmon were being offered... unfortunately, I think the rainy, cold weather kept most of the sightseers away. However, with so many local restaurants booming with business lately, these fishermen certainly found the customers they were hoping for.

15 April 2011
10am, South Dyke Trail
(east of Steveston)

The sun is shining... the air is cool and crisp... and the dyke trail east of Steveston was buzzing with activity. Joggers, walkers, hikers, couples, people sleeping in their cars -- today was a day of getting out and enjoying life.

There were lots of herons, like this one at London Landing.

 This heron was taking a break on a cement pipe buried in the river silt.

He didn't seem to mind me sneaking closer... and closer...

 

 

But finally, he was tired of me staring...

 The couples were out today, looking for nice nesting spots...

 Or picking up material to pad the nest...

 Standing at the pier at the end of No. 3 Rd., it was clear that falling into the river would be a really bad idea. The fast waters were moving out with the tide, and I wouldn't want to be caught in those icy waters!

London Heritage Farm was open, and there are lots of folks milling around the gardens. Some were even doing work! With the shining snow caps icing the mountains in the background, the scene was ideal.

 And finally, Steveston in the distance, with the red roof of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in background almost front and center.

April 14, 2011
1pm -- Steveston Village


What a dark and rainy day... cold too, but it didn't stop the lunchtime crowds from flowing into Steveston. Wind, hail, it doesn't matter in this village. Today's treat for us was Kari House, a great Malaysian eatery on the dock next to Mandalay Bay Restaurant.

It was interesting to note that the whale watching boats are back in the water and waiting for this season's eager customers. They have been in the water at the main pier for about a week now, but haven't seemed to set sail just yet. Hopefully they will be ready to go by Easter weekend, as my sister and I can't wait to cruise the Gulf Islands in search of wildlife.

Rain, we love you... BUT.... where is Spring?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 12, 2011
5pm, along the dyke trail in East Steveston

We call this area "Steveston East," "Steveston Farms," and "London Landing." It is just a way of saying "along the Fraser River upstream of Steveston village." The tide was very low tonight, just about as low as my mood because it was dark and very chilly.

This shows the exposed rock bridge, the only way to walk to Steveston Island... just time it right, or else you will be camping with the herons and hungry eagles... and maybe a coyote or two.

 This cold didn't stop these excited folks from lighting off fireworks on the dock at London Landing. Hey, where's the party? They were having a better time than the rest of us who were sitting at the old boat ramp.

Several dozen sandpipers were sprinting around the exposed shoreline. They were so cute! And they moved so fast! 

Upstream view of pilings, and what would have been Mount Baker had the gloom of the clouds not obscured the mountain peak. Ah, oh well....

Herons are coming out all over!

April 11, 2011

While walking with my friend today, the herons were out in force. We usually don't see more than one or two at a time... but ah... Spring is in the air and the herons are everywhere. Here is a fellow doing some fishing off the bridge (at the small bay) along the dyke trail.

Great blue herons are an amazing bird to see. What is even more amazing is that they sound like a pterodactyl. When you hear them, you feel like you got in a time machine and traveled back in time 100 million years... not that we really know what they sounded like then either! But it is the feeling you get... old, ancient, stoic, mysterious. I always feel like they are in total control over me, somehow.... "man is the dream of the heron."


Get informed about herons before you visit Steveston:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blue_Heron

TODAY'S PREHISTORY LESSON: "Pterodactyl" refers to any flying reptile of the order Pterosauria that lived 228 to 65 million years ago during the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous Period. There are over fifty genera known. Pterodacatyls are not related to dinosaurs or birds. They evolved from early reptiles, an example of Convergent Evolution. Note that the term "Pterodactyl" has been replaced by "Pterosaur" in the scientific vernacular. Information from: http://www.mahalo.com/pterodactyl-dinosaur/