A Few Days at Sea Level

A family cat-sitting commitment took us on a twelve-day visit to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland this month. Between social engagements, dining and other ‘city’ happenings, we also managed to enjoy some of the natural beauty of the streets, parks and other settings in and around Vancouver. Inevitably, the moment I enter a city I start looking for any little islands of nature I can find. You can take the boy out of the country, but...

The Vancouver area is alive with blossoms in April. This is Cambridge Street in Burnaby.

We spent one afternoon meandering on the trails and pathways of the George C. Reifel bird sanctuary on the Fraser River estuary, checking out the multitude of waterfowl and other birds that live there or use it as a stopover on their migration routes.

A breeding pair of sandhill cranes is one of the attractions at the Reifel sanctuary

After our visit, I learned that the Reifel family made a fortune in the brewing business including, apparently, rum-running during prohibition. The Reifel brothers built or commissioned the Vogue Theatre and the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, and built mansions for themselves as well, including the storied Casa Mia, which has now been repurposed as a long-term care facility.

Northern Shoveler ducks

A marsh wren perched on a cattail stalk

This red-winged blackbird was letting me know I was encroaching on his territory

The land on which the conservancy is situated was originally obtained by the Reifels for a hunting lodge, and later the Reifel family agreed to a combination of land sale and donation to the federal government on the condition that it would continue to be managed for the primary benefit of waterfowl and that the sanctuary would continue to bear the name of George C. Reifel.

White-fronted geese (a first for me)

Many of the birds at the sanctuary, like this wood duck, are habituated to humans, which makes it easy to get close-up shots

During our stay we also visited the Serpentine Fen near Boundary Bay, as well as Deer Lake Park in Burnaby.

There was a small group of green-winged teal in the Serpentine River

I think this is an eastern cottontail rabbit, a species that was introduced from eastern North America. It was crouched in among the blackberry and salmonberry brambles along the Serpentine fen trails.

Salmonberry seems to be everywhere, and was blooming in profusion during our stay.

Deer Lake Park in Burnaby is a lovely natural oasis in the heart of the city.

I thought these might be native western painted turtles, but a closer look at the photo revealed they are red-eared sliders, the most common pet turtle in the world (and most invasive)

I noticed a few ruby-crowned kinglets along the Burnaby Lake trails, and finally one held still just long enough for a photo

This double-crested cormorant was catching some rays on Deer Lake

I'm happy that the humans of Vancouver and the surrounding area have managed to maintain so many wild or semi-wild areas in the face of accelerating urban growth. We were reflecting, in particular, on the thousands of beautiful trees of various species that line the streets of so many neighbourhoods - many of them blooming or leafing out during our early April visit. From Stanley Park to the various beaches to the multitude of smaller parks and protected areas, the natural areas that have been set aside certainly add to the quality of life in this sprawling urban area (traffic notwithstanding).

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