You Have To Love Sundays...

For my husband and I, Sundays are an adventure. Each week, we hop in the car and pick a direction to drive. Some of our jaunts keep us reasonably close by. Others involve hundreds of kilometres and an arrival home time in the small hours of the morning.

On this last Sunday - windy, warm and grey - we chose to visit Steveston, a beautiful spot not far from Vancouver.

On arrival, we came across a man feeding copious amounts of birdseed to the seagulls and crows. This gave me a chance to get some close-ups of birds in flight, always a welcome opportunity.

Next on our list was a visit to the boats docked by the pier, selling their fresh salmon, tuna and sea urchins. 

Because it's been a decent fishing season, we were able to get a large and 

inexpensive salmon for our dinner.

We managed to pass on our usual outdoor fish and chip feed, knowing we were going home to cook, but the dulce-de-leche gelato was beyond resisting.

The tide was higher than we've ever seen it, but I only took a few pictures of the slough as two swans vied for my attention. A local resident told me they are a pair who fly in every fall, and excel at begging for food.

Having just bought an enriched fresh loaf from the bakery, I thought to give them a slice each. 

While the female was shy and dainty, the male was pushy and bold. My fingers ended up in his beak a few times, as he saw them only as an extension of the food he was desperate to clamp on to.

Good thing I'm not   easily bothered by such things. 

The big male went on sentry duty at the end of the bridge, looking for more handouts, and while I passed him easily, the woman behind me did shriek when the swan stretched his neck  threateningly.

'Twas a wonderful day, with the sky closing in as we crossed the Alex Fraser Bridge to home. The salmon dinner went on the table a little later than usual, but it was well worth the wait...

I'm linking up with Our World Tuesday. To see more shots, click on the link below...

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.ca/

Q is for Quay

Living on the 
West Coast 
of British 
Columbia means 
that our 
weekend 
outings often 
take us 
to the sea.








Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver

Over the years, we have spent much time on quays, wharfs, docks and piers. I have finally learned to keep my camera with me at all times to capture photos of what catches our imaginations.

Fishing boats,Steveston, B.C.

My husband 
and I spent 
a while 
imagining that 
we might buy 
this old boat 
to fix up 
and run away 
to sea in. 






Regrettably, 
we are still 
land bound...

 The fishing community of Finn Slough, situated in Richmond, B.C.

Fraser River, Surrey, B.C.

Patullo Bridge, Surrey, B.C.

 Of all the usual haunts, our perennial favourite is the hamlet of White Rock. We have spent many contented hours enjoying its simple beauty.

I'm linking this post to ABC Wednesday, and suggest you drop by and check out other takes on the letter'Q'...

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/

H is for Happy

Just a few things that make me happy...

Spending time with my kids...

...especially when we're all feeling silly...

J.J.,  Nikki,  Nette  and Jules 

...exploring abandoned and forbidden places...

 Henry Bose Farm, Surrey, B.C.

...revisiting favourite haunts...

Finn Slough, Richmond. B.C. 

...hanging around boats... 

...especially when the 

skies are grey and moody...

         Steveston, B.C.

...going on road trips with my husband, 

(aka my partner-in-crime)...

Arizona, USA 

...having my camera at hand to capture what's left of a passing storm...

...mucking about in my wellies....

...especially when autumn leaves start to fall.

I could go on forever, but as I'm already late posting , I'll simply suggest that you stop by ABC Wednesday for more takes on the 

letter 'H'....

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca

Thursday Think Tank: Ocean Waters

So still it seems not

to move, yet life's tide pulls us

onward to the sea...

I am linking this post with Poets United, Thursday Think Tank. To read more poems about things oceanic, do check out the link below...

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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2011/06/thursday-think-tank-54-beachocean.html#comments

And my heartfelt thanks to all who left such kind words about the loss of our boy, Oreo. The blogging world is just bursting with caring souls who understand family is about more than just its people. I will definitely be stopping by to visit each and every one of you...:)
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Racoon Reflections

One of our favourite spots for weekend wandering is a small fishing settlement called Finn Slough that remains little changed since it  began early in the twentieth century. For many years, it provided work for the now-historic cannery in Steveston, and is still inhabited by a handful of fishers who seem to live in easy harmony with their surroundings, despite being minutes away from the busy metropolis of Richmond B.C.

One day as I stood on the shaky wooden drawbridge looking up the slough, I was delighted to see a racoon making his way toward me. He slouched along methodically, digging into the mud and rinsing off whatever edible treats he brought to the surface

 Low tide had uncovered a treasure trove for him and he was not going to miss a bit of it...every inch of mud got a thorough inspection.

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Patiently, I waited and watched, until he was right under me, completely unconcerned by my quiet presence.

Busy with his labours, he continued under the bridge to forage some more...

I am linking this post to the wonderful 'Weekend Reflections' hosted by James. For a real treat, stop by and peruse more reflective photos!

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http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/

Photo Hunt: Silhouettes

Although I’m sporadic in visiting, one of my favourite memes is the ‘Saturday Photo Hunt’ hosted by http://tnchick.com/

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Each week, a theme is provided, with participants asked to submit a photo they think best illustrates that theme.
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When I saw that today’s prompt was ‘silhouettes’, it brought to mind a crisp Fall day spent in a corner of our West Coast known as Steveston. That afternoon stands out in part because we shared it with our younger son - walking along the waterfront and watching the sun sink lower in the sky.

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As this grown man clambered over the rocks and launched logs into the water, I was reminded of countless afternoons over the years when our children were small and each day was an adventure waiting for them to undertake.
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For me, it is most certainly the small moments in life that have sculpted my contentment…

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Thank you tnchick, for hosting this weekly event..so glad I've rediscovered you.
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Watery Wednesday

On a recent summer's afternoon, we wound our way to the seashore for a walk.

It was pleasantly cool for August, and not a cloud broke up the blue perfection of the sky. As usual, I had my camera at the ready.

It was surprising to find that the normally raucous and energetic seagulls were uncommonly sedate. They uttered not a sound, and stood facing quietly out to sea as the sun slowly began its descent to the horizon.
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Even the prescence of curious onlookers seemed of little concern to the placid birds. I was able to move up quietly until I was close enough to see how clearly their shadows were reflected in the water. The resulting pics were perfect mirror images, each of which can be turned upside down and look much the same.

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Give it a try...you'll see what I mean!

I'm linking this post to Watery Wednesday! For more photos that are damp, doused and drenched check out the link below!
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http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/
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