Vancouver - May & June
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Kit's Beach has long been a very public community place for young adults to hang out. Beach volleyball has become a popular waterfront sport to play and observe. A paved walkway stretches all the way from Kit's Beach to Coal Harbour in Burrard Inlet. The longest uninterrupted strip of waterfront pathway runs from Canada Place to the foot of Trafalgar Street in Kitsilano. The 26-kilometre stretch would take about 8.5 hours to walk, assuming a leisurely pace of about 3 km/h.
by Ragan D'Andrade THE ORIGINAL: It is probably fair to say that one of the things for which Vancouver is most famous is rain. It is true that it can and will rain here for weeks on end. Several years ago I found myself coming close to being thoroughly disgusted with the rain, unusual for me as it usually bothers me not at all. I was walking home from work and was mumbling under my breath the whole way, carrying on about how this weather was suited only to ducks. The building I lived in at the time was a large square building surrounding a brick courtyard. I came around the corner into the courtyard and there, to my amazement, was a beautiful white Peking duck, having a ball in a huge puddle in the middle of the courtyard. It was quacking and splashing with such obvious delight that I had to smile, glad that such joy could be found in the grey wetness of such a day. I, for one, really love the rain in Vancouver. I have been told that the Inuit have hundreds of words for snow. I have often thought we don’t have nearly enough words for rain, for there are so many types of rain. There is soft rain and hard rain, straight rain and sideways rain, rain that makes you instantly wet, and rain that leaves soft kisses on your cheek, like the wings of a butterfly. There is cold rain and warm rain, go out for a walk rain and stay in bed with the cats rain. There is booming rain and whispery rain, rain that lulls you to sleep and rain that sings you awake. The rain brings us all the shades of grey, but it also brings us the wonderful greenery which surrounds and blesses us.
Known as rainy-Vancouver, this creek bed is normally flowing in the spring.
The provincial flower of B.C., though not a flower but the blossom of the Cornus Nuttallii tree. This beautiful blossom adorns the streets and gardens of Vancouver during the month of May.
B.C. fishing has long been a staple of the economy with Salmon being the primary species fished.
We enjoyed watching the youth playing this very active game. From rank beginners to seasoned athletes, both male and female, there are about 7 permanent courts set up here, but almost fifty in total along a the 15 kilometer stretch of community beaches in this area. Most of Vancouver's outdoor volleyball courts are free to use and first come, first serve basis with no time restrictions. Nets are supplied, but bring your own ball, giving BYOB a whole new meaning.
Part of the nautical theme developed by the adjacent Vancouver Maritime Museum. I also too this shot two years ago and was surprised by the amount of corrosion that has taken place, particularly on the chain. Vancouver's salt air is more corrosive than people realise.
Low level shot of small pond in Vanier Park, Kitsilano. The reflection is distorted by the position of the camera. I will get back there to re-take this photo if possible.
Vancouver beaches are not exposed to open water surf. The waves are generated by the local winds, so on fine summer days, waves are minimal. In the background are freighters at anchor awaiting unloading/uploading in the inner harbour.
Vancouver’s Seaside Greenway is one of the easiest and best bicycle rides in the city. On a dedicated bike path separated from cars, Seaside is safe for riders of all ages and abilities. It’s great for strollers, scooters and joggers, too. Follow Vancouver’s shoreline – Convention Center, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park and False Creek seawall, then over to Granville Island, Kitsilano Beach, Point Grey Road Greenway to the beaches of Jericho and Spanish Banks — Oh – Wow!
This and the next photo is further evidence of the corrosive nature of the salt air environment near the ocean in Vancouver.
Donated to the City of Vancouver by the Hellenic community in honour of Canada's centenary in 1969. Located in Vanier Park.
I learned an important lesson taking this photo. We had been at this location for about an hour and were a little disappointed with the intensity of the sunset. This quality of light didn't occur until almost 30 minutes after the sunset. We had nearly given up and were about to leave when this golden glow became evident. What a reward!
This log may have been floating loose in the waterways for years. The grain and character of this piece captured my attention, so I took and evening shot.
English Bay is located in Vancouver, west of the downtown peninsula and False Creek. It consists of the south side of the Burrard Inlet, extending from Point Grey in the southwest to Prospect Point in the northeast.
No doubt most of the corrosion shown in this close-up occurred over many years, probably long before this anchor was place in Vanier Park.
I have always liked architectural photography. This black and white rendering of the underside of Vancouver's Burrard Bridge is a five-lane, Art Deco style, steel truss bridge constructed in 1930-1932. It connects downtown Vancouver with Kitsilano via connections to Burrard Street on both ends. It is one of three bridges crossing False Creek.
This view of Vancouver's skyline reflects off the water of Coal Harbour, The five blue/green coloured 'sails' of Canada Place are seen near the left side of the image.
The beaches around Vancouver are littered with driftwood logs every winter. In the spring, these are collected into piles and hauled away. This is one such pile at Locarno Beach. This is an artistic rendering which highlights the textures and grain of the timber.
I think it's fair to state that English Bay represents the heart of Vancouver. Surrounded by parks, like the world famous Stanley Park and walkways like the Vancouver Sea Wall, few Vancouverites would not spend a few relaxing days enjoying the many beautiful locations along its shores. From walking to boating, bicycle riding to volleyball, English Bay is truly where Vancouver enjoys the outdoors in summer.
The dictionary defines an arch as a curved structure that spans a space and may or may not support weight above it. Arch structures are appealing to the eye and occur in natural structures like sandstone caves and desert canyons. I like the arch for its simplicity and nothing could better describe this timber structure over this dry creek bed.
Carved by well known First Nations artist, Darren Yelton.
One of the best boating areas in the world, the inside waterways of B.C. provide endless possibilities for cruising and exploring islands, coves and passageways.