Newcomers?

Here are some newcomers that I spotted near the pond a couple of weeks ago. I can't remember ever seeing these geese locally before. There were other people watching these geese too, because I had a camera they must have thought I was an expert and asked if they were young Snow Geese. I didn't think so but said I was going to consult my bird book when I got home.

The closest match in my Field Guide to North American Birds was a white fronted Goose, but I thought they looked like birds I had seen before in England. After trolling the Internet I think they are Greylag Geese.

Here is a picture from Wikipedia:




Here is a link to what Wiki has to say about them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greylag_Goose



Apparently in North America there are both domestic and feral population of these geese.

 

They were a change from the usual Canada Geese that frequent the park but seem to have very similar feeding habits. 

This one was looking at me curiously, or maybe it is just the lookout.

 

There were only four in the group.

I only saw them once, unfortunately here they are rushing away here because they spotted an approaching dog.

 

I hope they come back again.

 

There were other new arrivals this week at the pond, a brood of goslings.

 

The parent were keeping a close eye so I didn't get too close. There were six little ones.

 

So cute.

 

I hope you have enjoyed my newcomers.

 

 

And as Monty Python would say "now for something completely different":

 

 

Here is a video of an ingenious and quick way to peel apples. Thanks to Linda for bringing it to my attention. It looks a bit dangerous though I might just stick to the usual way.

 

 

My painting this week is called "Jericho Park", the same place I saw both sets of newcomers. It is a watercolour and is 9" X 12":

 

 

That's all for this week, thanks for dropping by, happy Whimsy Wednesday!

 

Gillian

 

 

 

 

 



Big Blue

The Blue Heron is a beautiful bird to watch; it waits motionless for a fish or a frog to be within range and then suddenly lunges to intercept its prey. They are elegant in flight too, but look awkward even comical, when they first take off.

The Blue Heron "is the largest North American heron.... It has head-to-tail length of 91–137 cm (36–54 in), a wingspan of 167–201 cm (66–79 in), a height of 115–138 cm (45–54 in), and a weight of 2.1–3.6 kg (4.6–7.9 lb). In British Columbia, adult males averaged 2.48 kg (5.5 lb) and adult females 2.11 kg (4.7 lb)." Wikipedia

 

There have always been herons at the pond at Jericho and they are usually solitary. I have seen them chase off other herons intruding into their feeding territory.

 A large group of heron have been nesting at this time of year in Stanley Park for a few years now and they are there again this year. I have also seen a small group of herons gathering at Jericho park.



 

Could it be that a few have decided to set up house on this side of English Bay?

 

 I watch the heron below as it picked up and dropped several sticks ...

 

 Then finally decided the one below was suitable and flew off with it.

 

 Here are two off the herons in a large willow tree I think.

 

 And after a deal of squawking and flapping of wings the stick was placed in what looks to me like a nest.

 

While this was happened another pair of herons circled close to the tree, landed and then took off again. I will be watching with interest to see what happens next.

 

 

It is tulip time here. I don't normally buy tulips because I have always found that no matter what I do they droop within a few hours of being in a vase...but I recently learned a trick (probably from someone else's blog) that I will gladly share with you. Before you place the tulip in a vase (re cut the base of course) stick a pin through the top of the stem and remove to make a small hole, about 1/4 inch below the base of the flower, and they will not droop.

 

 

 

We had some lovely weather this week which took me out into the garden to do some cleanup, but I did manage to finish one painting. It is a watercolour again, this one is 8" X 10". Someone asked me how big my paintings are a couple of weeks ago; anywhere from 8" X 8" to 14" X 20". The larger size is a 1/2 sheet of watercolour paper, I like cold pressed paper except for portraits, then I use hot pressed or smooth paper.

 

Without further ado here is "Cute as a kitten":

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time...

 

 

Gillian

  



Art Outdoors

Today I am featuring two displays of art appearing in public outdoor spaces, one of red umbrellas and the other beach furniture.

Earlier this year a display of red umbrellas appeared in a group of trees on a nearby beach.

Called the "Rainblossom  Project" it was a group of about two dozen red umbrellas:

 

"Located at Spanish Banks, this art installation, called the “Rainblossom Project,” was put up by an anonymous group to celebrate the rain the city receives."

 

Some have referred to our location as the Wet, rather than the West, Coast; it is green here for a reason. Shortly after the umbrellas were "installed" there was a light snowfall rather than rain. Then the umbrellas disappeared as mysteriously as they appeared.

 



 

I liked the blue umbrella that this woman was holding, posing for someone else's picture, so I took advantage of the opportunity. The sun was low in the sky, causing long shadows, but it was not raining on this occasion.

The current exhibit in the open air museum is "Public Furniture / Urban Spaces".

"The Vancouver Biennale is a non-profit charitable organization that celebrates art in public spaces. Each exhibit transforms the urban landscape into an open air museum, creating globally inspired cultural experiences where people live, work, play and transit." 

 

Here is a very large chair:

 



 

I saw the artist Hugo Franca creating these but of course I did not have my camera with me at the time and returned to photograph the finished creations. He was "carving" and shaping with chainsaws but the resulting "furniture" has a smooth surface.
 

I think they are all carved from large pieces of driftwood collected from the beach. I hope this information sign is large enough for you to read:

 

 

 

 

Framed in the back of the chair is a freighter in the harbour.

 

I think this one will be a favorite for children to play on, it looks a bit like a slide to me. 

 

 

..and this one is a two sided bench...

 

 

I have been having one of those weeks when I have started countless projects but didn't get any finished, that is what happened to the art this week too. Sorry.
 

 

So here is a beautiful little bird I photographed this week in the forest. I thought at first it might be a Hermit Thrush but then thought it was too small for a thrush and more likely a sparrow.

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the Outdoor Art, until next time, Happy Wednesday,

 

Gillian

 

 

 

 

 



Go away we're busy!

This time of year when I go out on my usual walk I am not welcomed in the woods or at the pond. It is nesting season and I am buzzed by the hummingbirds, hissed at by the geese, dive bombed and heckled by the redwing blackbirds and the wrens just plain ignored others.

This Canada Goose had just finished hissing when I took this picture.

 

..and here is a goose doing its best Ogopogo impression while chasing away the ducks.

 

...here you can see the ducks beating a hasty retreat.

The heron is concentrating on a meal and has no time to glance around to have its picture taken.

...and looks as if it was successful and in mid swallow in this next picture.

 

The turtles are busy warming up in the afternoon sunshine and not at all interested in passersby but watchful in case anyone/thing gets too close.

 

 



 

 ...and the redwing blackbirds are on alert as soon as I approach, she...

 

 

...he...

Scolding here:

..daring me to get close here.... 

 

 

This male marched right up to within a coupe of feet away. 

Once I moved away it perched in a tree just daring me to try again. 

 

I am not taking it personally because it isn't just me that is not welcome, every one and his dog (especially the dogs) aren't welcome either.

 

Lots of bird song and lots of activity, a favourite time for me.

 

 

 

I saw "The Good Lovelies" live recently, what a great show. Here is one of my favourite songs from the concert, "The Best of Me":

 

 

 

And a painting, this week a painting of a rabbit inspired by last week's post; it is a watercolour called "Hoppy?"

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time...

 

 

Gillian