A somewhat abbreviated birding expedition, because I had a previous engagement for brunch and then had to solve a haunted house escape room.
Burnaby Lake (Avalon Trail, Piper Spit)
This heron, standing downstream from the dam, was acting… weird. It randomly looked around, sometimes straight up, at nothing in particular that I could see. Maybe it was having visions?

On the trail

The richest blue


I never get tired of ducks doing their splashies


Drinky drinky.

So shiny!

The butterfly garden was sadly lacking in butterflies, or any pollinators, or any healthy flowers. There was this little guy, though!

ƛ̓éxətəm (Tlahutum) Regional Park
The light was getting seriously low, but we soldiered on to our regular route. Here’s a heron standing in the little creek alongside Coquitlam River. It took off almost as soon as we arrived.

Coquitlam River, 4:54 PM

This Northern Harrier had been resting on a stump (I think?) by the trail, but took off before we could get close. Still, this action shot is pretty good compensation.

This isn’t the first time I see a bird quietly gazing at the sunset, and I can’t help wondering what they really see. Do they enjoy it? Does it relax them?

Coquitlam River, 5:29 PM (less than 10 minutes before the sun disappeared)
