Flashback to last September

I know. I haven't updated my blog in a while. It's just because it's been raining here so much that I've not had the camera out at all. I can't stand the rain. There's been so much rain here, that it's making me crazy.

I've been going over some older photos on my computer tonight, and I found this one from last September. I've converted it to black and white:



In other news:

Some of my friends have been getting hit with swarms of digital locusts. It's really weird. They move into a blog, eat like pigs and make a lot of noise, then they move on to the next unsuspecting blog. Bloody hell. Now I think I've seen everything.

I do have some photos from about two weeks ago, that I'm considering posting. That when it was about minus 10 degrees celcius outside. I went over to the lake near my home and it was frozen. I took some photos of the ducks and a few geese there, and I gave them some food to eat.

Today's little creatures at the feeder

The weather was nice today. It was sunny, and warm enough to start melting the snow. There were several different animals at the feeder today, including this pretty little fellow; a Male Western Rufous-sided Towhee:





They're really interesting birds to watch. They like to feed on the ground, and they kick up leaves and things with their feet. Just like chickens do. (Not for eating, Bingo!)

Here he is, making his calling sound. It's like a soft, "eeeeeeee" that ends with a question mark. Hard to explain, you'd have to hear it.


Here he is taking flight:


Of course Mr. Squirrel was there too. He's really enjoying the mixed seeds.




There has also been a male and female Varied Thrush eating here at the feeder. I would love to get a good photo of either of them, but they are very shy and elusive. I'll keep trying though, maybe I'll get lucky.

My TV Died

It actually happened about a month ago, but I only got around to throwing it out to the dumpster today. For the past year or so, it had a funny green bar at the top of the screen when it was on. After a while I didn't really notice it anymore; until a few weeks ago, when I turned it on. It let out a loud shrieking noise, then the green bar on the top of the screen moved to the middle of the screen. The shrieking sound intensified for a moment and then the green bar became a thin,(but extremely bright) green line. Then it went out, and that was the end.

Poor TV. I bought it way back when I first moved to Vancouver. That thing lasted a long time considering all that it has been through. Now it's in TV heaven. Darn thing was expensive too.

September 1991
to December 2004
R.I.P.

Today's Chickadees

I bought a bird feeder on the weekend, and I set it up yesterday. Today there were some nice chickadees feeding from it. I love watching birds. Here's some shots from the feeder today:

Snow at the Lake

We got snow! I'd be even more excited about it if I hadn't spent the last two days shovelling it at work. Our department is in charge of snow removal from all the important public areas, like the Library. So I'm feeling a little beaten up, but it'll pass.

But it's Saturday, so I'm free today. I went over to Burnaby Lake to take some snow shots. Here's one of my favorites from today:





That bird on top of the bird house is a Female Belted Kingfisher. She's beautiful. I wish I could have gotten closer to get a good shot of her, but my original intention for this shot was just the bird houses with snow on them.

The 85th Annual Vancouver Polar Bear Swim 2005

Here they are, the photos from the Polar Bear Swim. It was really fun to watch. These people must be insane!



While the crowd was getting ready to charge, a few celebrities showed up. That's Sponge Bob, and I think the other guy is Shazam or Captain America. I'm not sure:


Some penguins lined up for photos:


And there was a gladiator as well:


There was at least one human pyramid going on:


The first people to jump in (aside from some guy who just couldn't wait any longer and crawled under the tape) were some Vancouver City Police officers:


Then Santa (or nearly Santa) went for it:




Some of the people anxiously awaiting the icy, cold water plunge:




And then finally, the crowd bursts through the tape and they all dive in:


And quickly back out again:










This was a nice moment:




These guys were hilarious!:




There were a few Vikings in the crowd as well:


A lifeguard looks on:


The crowd was massive that day:


And I'll close with one more Viking:


What a blast! I'm already looking forward to next year's Polar Bear Swim!