Adam J. Blake

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on June 23, 2013 { 1 comment }

Bumblebee Drone

Bombus sp., Apidae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Ar, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 16, 2013

I found out from Sean that it is National Pollinator Week and in honor of that, this weeks photo is of this handsome bumblebee drone. I’m still working on the ID but I did learn in my research that bumblebee drones have 11 flagellomere as opposed to 10 in queens and workers. I’m leaning towards Sitka Bumble Bee (Bombus sitkensis) but I’m not sure. If you have any ideas I have posted a few more shots on BugGuide.

Field Notes – Harrison Hot Springs June 7-9, 2013

by ajblake on June 22, 2013 { 0 comments }

<p><i>Cinclus mexicanus</i>, Cinclidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
June 7, 2013</p>

American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus, Cinclidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 7, 2013

<p>Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
June 7, 2013</p>

Northern Island

Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 7, 2013

<p><i>Cyanocitta stelleri</i>, Corvidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri, Corvidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Plectrura spinicauda</i>, Cerambycidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Flat-faced Longhorn Beetle

Plectrura spinicauda, Cerambycidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Circaea alpina</i>, Onagraceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Enchanter's-nightshade

Circaea alpina, Onagraceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Veronica americana</i>, Plantaginaceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

American Brooklime

Veronica americana, Plantaginaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Menziesia ferruginea</i>, Ericaceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

False Azalea

Menziesia ferruginea, Ericaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Tolmiea menziesii</i>, Saxifragaceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Western Featherbells

Tolmiea menziesii, Saxifragaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Harpaphe haydeniana</i>, Xystodesmidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Yellow-spotted Millipede

Harpaphe haydeniana, Xystodesmidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Aruncus dioicus</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Bride's Feathers

Aruncus dioicus, Rosaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

Bride's Feathers

Aruncus dioicus, Rosaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p>Syrphidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Hoverfly

Syrphidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Pelecomalium</i> sp., Staphylinidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Mating Rove Beetle

Pelecomalium sp., Staphylinidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Blechnum spicant</i>, Blechnaceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Deer Fern

Blechnum spicant, Blechnaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Ellychnia</i> sp., Lampyridae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Firefly

Ellychnia sp., Lampyridae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Malacosoma californicum</i>, Lasiocampidae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Western Tent Caterpillar

Malacosoma californicum, Lasiocampidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Rubus ursinus</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Trailing Blackberry

Rubus ursinus, Rosaceae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p>Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 8, 2013</p>

Echo Island

Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 8, 2013

Harrison Marina

Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 8, 2013

<p>Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Hot Spring Source

Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Cymbalaria muralis</i>, Plantaginaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Kenilworth Ivy

Cymbalaria muralis, Plantaginaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Montia parvifolia</i>, Montiaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Small-leaved Montia

Montia parvifolia, Montiaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Heuchera micrantha</i>, Saxifragaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Small-flowered Alumroot

Heuchera micrantha, Saxifragaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Spiraea betulifolia</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Birch-leaved Spiraea

Spiraea betulifolia, Rosaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

Fern Trail

Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Physocarpus capitatus</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Pacific Ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus, Rosaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Lilium columbianum</i>, Liliaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Columbia Lily

Lilium columbianum, Liliaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Ariolimax columbianus</i>, Ariolimacidae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Shy Pacific Banana Slug

Ariolimax columbianus, Ariolimacidae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Rosa gymnocarpa</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Baldhip Rose

Rosa gymnocarpa, Rosaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

Ferns

Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

<p><i>Adiantum pedatum</i>, Pteridaceae<br />
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
June 9, 2013</p>

Northern Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum, Pteridaceae
Whippoorwill Point, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
June 9, 2013

A couple weeks ago Sara and I took a camping trip to Harrison Hot Springs and Sasquatch Provincial Park. We arrived at our campground at Hicks lake on Friday afternoon. That evening after settling in we took a walk north along the lakeshore and around the Beaverpond. The highlight was definitely the Dippers I mentioned in a previous photo of the week. [click to continue…]

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on June 17, 2013 { 0 comments }

Flat-faced Longhorn Beetle

Plectrura spinicauda, Cerambycidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

This week we have another photo from our recent trip to Harrison Hot Springs. Sara actually found this beetle on a Vine Maple right in our campsite at Hicks Lake. This is not that surprising as this beetle commonly feeds on the new growth of Vine Maple. I really like how this picture highlights how the compound eye is notched around the antennal base in the Cerambycidae. Thanks to Brady Richards for the ID.

Field Notes – Iona Beach Regional Park, May 19, 2013

by ajblake on June 10, 2013 { 0 comments }

<p><i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>, Hirundinidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor, Hirundinidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Anas cyanoptera</i>, Anatidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Male Cinnamon Teal

Anas cyanoptera, Anatidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Stelgidopteryx serripennis</i>, Hirundinidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis, Hirundinidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Branta canadensis</i>, Anatidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis, Anatidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Agelaius phoeniceus</i>, Icteridae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Male Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus, Icteridae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p>Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

A Brace of Ducks

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Tachycineta thalassina</i>, Hirundinidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina, Hirundinidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Rhionaeschna californica</i>, Aeshnidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

California Darner

Rhionaeschna californica, Aeshnidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Iris pseudacorus</i>, Iridaceae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Pale Yellow Iris

Iris pseudacorus, Iridaceae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Rosa</i> sp., Rosaceae<br />
Perhaps <i>Rosa nutkana</i> X <i>Rosa pisocarpa</i><br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Rose

Rosa sp., Rosaceae
Perhaps Rosa nutkana X Rosa pisocarpa
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

Damselfly

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus</i>, Icteridae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, Icteridae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

Seaspan Venture

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Lathyrus japonicus</i>, Fabaceae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Beach Pea

Lathyrus japonicus, Fabaceae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

North Jetty

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Pandion haliaetus</i>, Pandionidae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus, Pandionidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

Contrail

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

Scotch Broom Patch

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

Iona Beach Sunset

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

Ship Silhouette

Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Lupinus polyphyllus</i>, Fabaceae<br />
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
May 19, 2013</p>

Big-leaved Lupine

Lupinus polyphyllus, Fabaceae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

A couple weeks ago I took another trip out to Iona Island in search of the many migratory shorebirds that had been reported. I spent a lovely afternoon and evening birding around the island seeing 50 species over my five and a half hours of birding. I was able to add six species to my year list. I parked south of the outer ponds where I saw one of the resident Osprey, the previously reported Ruddy Duck, and a number of Cliff Swallows mixed in with the Tree Swallows. I then headed to inner ponds but I was a bit disappointed by the number of shorebirds compared with some previous reports. I was able to pick out a single Semipalmated Sandpiper mixed in with a small group of Western Sandpipers. As you can see from my photos there were also a good variety of ducks and swallows in and around the ponds. [click to continue…]

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on June 9, 2013 { 1 comment }

American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus, Cinclidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 7, 2013

As promised, this weeks photo was taken far from Iona Island. This weekend Sara and I took a camping trip up to Sasquatch Provincial Park near Harrison Hot Springs to take in the local Sasquatch festival. I took this photo at Hicks Lake near the mouth of the tiny outlet creek that drains the lake. There are usually a resident pair of Dippers at the outlet but these dippers were especially cooperative.

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on June 2, 2013 { 0 comments }

Pale Yellow Iris

Iris pseudacorus, Iridaceae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

This week brings yet another photo from Iona Island. Photos from another locality next week I promise and I really will post about this trip soon. This week’s photo is of the beautiful but invasive Yellow Iris. This species is listed as a noxious invasive weed in parts of BC and in most of the US. BC does have two native Iris species but both of these are blue to purple in color. Vancouver and especially Iona Island is full of introduced species, between the Himalayan Blackberry and Scotch Broom it can sometimes be hard to find any native plants.

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on May 26, 2013 { 0 comments }

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina, Hirundinidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

With this week’s photo we again return to Iona Island. It seems not a week goes by without a new species (for the Vancouver year list) being reported from Iona and I need to make another trip out to try for the tick. Last sunday’s trip was productive both for birding and photography (full report to follow soon). One of the highlights was the seeing all but one of the seven swallow species observed from British Columbia (I missed the Bank Swallows though they have been reported from Iona recently). I was also able to photograph several of the species including this shot of a Violet-green Swallow.

Field Notes – Lighthouse Park, July 6, 2012

by ajblake on May 24, 2013 { 0 comments }

<p><i>Ligia occidentalis</i>, Ligiidae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

California Sea Slater

Ligia occidentalis, Ligiidae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p>Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Point Atkinson Lighthouse

Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Sedum acre</i>, Crassulaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Goldmoss Stonecrop

Sedum acre, Crassulaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Brodiaea coronaria</i>, Liliaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Harvest Brodiaea

Brodiaea coronaria, Liliaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Gaultheria shallon</i>, Ericaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Salal

Gaultheria shallon, Ericaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Rubus armeniacus</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Himalayan Blackberry

Rubus armeniacus, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Spiraea douglasii</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Douglas' Spiraea

Spiraea douglasii, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Poecile rufescens</i>, Parulidae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescens, Parulidae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Mahonia nervosa</i>, Berberidaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Dwarf Oregon-grape

Mahonia nervosa, Berberidaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Holodiscus discolor</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Ocean Spray

Holodiscus discolor, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Rubus spectabilis</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Certhia americana</i>, Certhiidae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Brown Creeper

Certhia americana, Certhiidae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

This post is once again reaching back into the archives to last summer’s trip to Vancouver. Sara and I decided to take the Sea to Sky on our trip back to Edmonton. On the way we stopped for a short hike at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. Sara was eager to check out the intertidal zone so we walked along Beacon Lane Trail as directly as possible (no mean feat for me when naturalizing) to the rocky shore at the south end of the park. I spent a bunch of time hoping between rocks shooting the California Sea Slaters and wildflowers growing in cracks. While introduced, Goldmoss Stonecrop was one of the most striking flowers growing along the shore. Its succulent sessile leaves and bright yellow flowers make this plant very distinctive. [click to continue…]

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on May 19, 2013 { 0 comments }

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri, Scolopacidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 10, 2013

Last Friday evening I tried unsuccessfully to locate the Common Terns and Parasitic Jaegers that had been reported from Iona Island’s South Jetty. I walked the entire 4 km to the end of the jetty searching for these birds. The weather was sunny and calm making and the tides so I was surrounded by a glassy sea surface during my walk. While I missed the Terns and Jaegers I did manage to get great close up views of both Dunlin and Western Sandpipers like the one shown above. You can see more photos from Iona Island here.

Photo of the Week

by ajblake on May 12, 2013 { 1 comment }

Pacific Dampwood Termite

Zootermopsis angusticollis, Termopsidae
Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 5, 2013

This week’s photo is from last weekend’s trip to Maplewood Conservation Area with Sean. Like a bear, Sean is in the habit of flipping over logs in search of insects and other bugs. It was under these decaying logs that we found both the Rough-skinned Newt and these termites. There are only 2 species of termites in the Lower Mainland belonging to two families, the subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae) and the dampwood termites (Termopsidae). The identity of these termites was determined from habitat (rotting logs) and the rounded shape of their droppings. I was especially excited to photograph these as they were the first termites I’d seen in the wild.

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