VanDusen Gardens
Would you believe I’ve never been here before? It’s nice! Well, there aren’t a lot of birbs around, and the light was kind of overcast, but it was totally worth the visit. If only for the meta photo.
I’m guessing this is common spot for artists?
The open spots were full of art!
Deering Island Park
Also a new spot! This park is a nice little spot at one end of a little island on the Fraser, with most of the rest of the island seemingly taken up by swanky houses and private marinas. Ooo la la!
Also the sun came out, which was nice. Maybe it was always out in this neighbourhood?
It also leads to a nice little trail to the west, around some golf courses (because of course there are golf courses). Technically not a public trail, though. Seems like it was maintained by some neighbourhood association, or maybe the golf courses themselves: there was a sign basically saying the rich locals are generously letting the poors and the riff-raff use the trail, but please don’t make them regret it by being rude or visibly poor. I don’t remember the details, but that really was the tone.
Not really a lot of birds on the trail, but some very pretty orb weavers, including one with what looked like a mummified lady beetle.
And a sand wasp, I never get tired of those!
Piper Spit
Back on familiar ground, here’s an super shiny Wood Duck. It seems they’re all back to their breeding outfits, ahead of the Mallards.
I love their green wing patch!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: that ginormous long bill looks really awkward for preening.
And a pretty killdeer!
I could drown in their huge dark orange-rimmed eyes!
