Cormorant

Typically the water was like a millpond today (because we were supposed to go paddling yesterday) and the bay was busy with Cormorants fishing. They have a habit of predicting when you are about to press the shutter button and then dive, here is one that did not get away.

Fox Sparrow

It is easier to sneak up on these little blighters when you have a decent zoom lens on your side.

Bald Eagle

The rain fell hard yesterday, turning a paddling day into a shopping day. Today the weather is totally different, bright blue skies, sunshine and excellent walking temperature, so we set off on an extended walk down to the shore. Here a bald eagle at maximum camera zoom, riding on thermals over Granthams.

Biffday

Today it was Karen's birthday, spent in the big city of Vancouver, craft beers and good food, some more paddling gear as fantastic prizes and a big wedge of Cheshire cheese and chocolate from Whole Foods to contemplate, it was a good day. We made it by the skin of our teeth to the 5.30 pm ferry home and in the kitchen a huge bottle of Californian red awaits to be consumed before bedtime.

Karen, 1964

(And I was under the impression she was 39)

November

Tuesday Paddle. It was a great day today, especially considering we are in November, the winter rules of the paddle club are now active and our excursions will be kept in a narrow corridor between Gibsons Marina and Hopkins Landing. That may sound boring but safety is paramount at this time of the year.

Today a total 70 minute paddle, 35 minutes down to Hopkins for a half time respite from the cardio, a chat about house buying and the joys and perils of real estate as we held court at the Hopkins float, then a 26 minute sprint back to Gibsons in what felt like "slow" water.

As usual, there followed a mug of hot coffee as the survivors discussed future plans at the Black Bean coffee shop on Marine drive.

Autumn

Nature has a way of filling in the blanks.

Natural landscaping, mushrooms hiding behind the post box on Tricklebrook Way.