Another Foggy Morning in Vancouver

More from this past Saturday.  Mrs Dragonspeed and I headed up to get to the Cypress Bowl Road lower gate for 07:00 when it opens.  There were probably 10-15 cars, all with the same idea, parked along the side – just itchin’ to get up the hill.  When we got there, our fog density fears were confirmed: Fog was a bit too high up.

On the PLUS side, the sunrise was spectacular:

1. Mount Baker

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr
2. Metrotown

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr
3. Ocean of Clouds

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr
4. Amazing Colours

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr
5. Shangri-La and Metrotown just poking through

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

Others from the outing:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157640020852846/

Not a bad way to spend a an hour on a Saturday morning

2013 In Photos

I took a bit of time and made a "2013 in Review"

The Year 2013 in Photos by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

If you click the link, you can see the larger size.

A few Birds from Recent Outings

We had a few nice cold clear days in the last couple of weeks, so I got out and had a go at it – I love getting out when it’s not raining around here.

1. Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

2. A lifer for me – Wilson’s Snipe

Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

3. A beautiful Red-tailed Hawk

Possible Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

4. Mr Ring-necked

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

5. A lovely Red-shafted Northern Flicker

Red-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

6. Sandhill crane – up close and personal

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

I hope you enjoy them!

Foggy Vancouver Mornings

The past two weeks have had Vancouver, BC sitting in a temperature inversion.  Down in the city, the temperatures have been 6C in the morning while up higher in the mountains it was 13C.  Combined with moist air from the Pacific, that means low lying fog and some great photo ops!

My wife and I went up on Saturday and found that the fog ceiling was a bit too high:

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

Not to be deterred by that, it was time to get a bit creative.  Mount Baker silhouetted against the sunrise:

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

The sunrise, itself made for a nice opportunity too:

Sunrise over Foggy Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

That Saturday’s set can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157636781062064/

On Wednesday, I dragged myself out of bed solo and headed up… got to the cypress viewpoint by 06:15…urgh, that’s early.  What a reward though!!!

The pre-dawn city in the Fog:

Foggy Morning in Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

The Lion’s Gate Bridge poking up over the fog:

Foggy Morning in Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

When the sun started to come up the real fun began:

Foggy Morning in Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

The cloud city (Landau ain’t got nothing on us!):

Foggy Morning in Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

One last one:

Foggy Morning in Vancouver by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

Wednesday was just a day of "Wow" after "Wow" as the light changed and kept presenting interesting opportunities.  Wednesday’s set can be seen in entirety here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157636922974655/

Vancouver ROCKS – when it’s not raining!

Elfin Lakes!

We were up in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park for 4 day/3 nights last week. The alpine scenery was amazing.  Here are some highlights of the hike.

1. Mount Atwell and the Gargoyles

Mt Atwell and the Gargoyles by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

2. Wildflowers

Beautiful flowers by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

3. Premium camping location!

Summer in the Alpine by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

4. Full Moon Rising

Full Moon at Elfin Lakes by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

5. Alpine reflection

Reflection of Mountain beauty by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

6. Lit by the full moon

Elfin Lakes and surroundings by the full moon. by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

7. Moonset over the Tantalus Range

Moonset over the Tantalus range by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

8. Panoramic view from the Opal Cone (bigger on Flickr)

Panorama from the Opal Cone by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

I hope you enjoyed the virtual visit to the alpine!  More shots can be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157635241803555/

Comments and Critique welcome!

Anniversary Hike to Yellow Aster Butte

My wife and I headed out last weekend for an overnight backpacking trip to Yellow Aster Butte meadows as our 13th anniversary of the trip we took for our honeymoon in 2000.  I trekked the 7D up with me using the Cotton carrier (which, I might add, was quite comfortable)

The whole set is at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157634968454038

Here are some samplings of the photographic fruits of our labour:

1. Some lovely little purple wildflowers

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

2. Some of the beautiful wildflowers in bloom with Shuksan in the background

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

3. American and Canadian Border Peaks

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

4. Tarns of Yellow Aster Butte

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

5. Pristine Alpine Tarn

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

6. Our own patch of paradise

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

7. Mount Baker in the distance

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

8. Mount Baker, from Artist’s Point – end of Mount Baker Highway

Anniversary Weekend at Mount Baker by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

I hope you enjoyed your virtual alpine visit!  Comments welcome!

Some wetland birds from Sunday

It was supposed to be sunny yesterday.. I hate the weatherman.

Here’s what I could get, given the lighting and conditions of the day:

1. Male Wood duck – always a fave of mine

Male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

2. The ever present male Mallard

Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

3. The diminutive Green-Winged Teal

Male Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

4. Male Common Goldeneye

Male Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

5. Male Ring-necked duck.

Male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

6. Fox sparrow to round out the set.

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) by DragonSpeed, on Flickr

There are more at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157633085249094/with/8587395191/

Hope you enjoy them!