West End Photowalking and the Grouse Mountain Wind Tower
byA few weeks ago I explained the nature of a “photo walk”, which is to basically go for a stroll around town and snap photos along the way. This morning John and I headed deep into the West End to enjoy a little breakfast and a leisurely walk through English Bay and around Lost Lagoon. Since John got a lovely new Nikon D90 for his birthday yesterday, I thought it would only be fitting to feature his photos.
You can see the new wind tower on top of Grouse Mountain, in view on the photo above. The reactions so far have been pretty mixed. Some say it’s an eye-sore and others think it’s fantastic that the mountain is finding a new way to harness energy. I’m curious to know what other opinions are out there. You can view more photos of the wind tower being assembled in the Grouse Mountain Flickr set.
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I think the Grouse Mountain wind tower is great! We have the technology to create different sources of energy so more people/companies should be joining in. I hope more follow in Grouse’s lead, not just looking at wind towers but other ways to reduce consumption/waste over all.
Here I thought I just hadn’t been paying attention, but I guess the tower assembly only started on Wednesday, so I could be forgiven for not noticing it until now. I’m glad to see it doesn’t stick out as an eyesore on the mountain, even though I can see it fairly clearly from my apartment in the West End.
Also, I love the wildlife photos. So cute! It’s great how even with the high population density of our neighbourhood, we still have lots of critters out and about.
At first I thought it was going to be an eye-sore, then I noticed that it doesn’t really dominate the mountain too much. I think trying to harness other forms of energy is great. The wind turbines are MASSIVE! I can’t wait for the opportunity to check out their ViewPod, the observation deck that they have engineered on this particular wind turbine!!
That squirrel photo: “Wha, you lookin at me?”
I don’t understand why they insist on putting up these ugly towers with propellers on them, as if that were the only way — or the best way — to generate power from the wind.
Propellers are meant to move air, not be moved by air. In other words, the basic technology is wrong.
I built a wind turbine 30 years ago for my homestead in the Kootenays which was close to the ground, barely noticeable (but not ugly in any case), produced all the power I could use, and required almost no maintenance. It spun like a top, catching every breeze no matter which direction it came from. It was also silent and didn’t kill birds.
This, I believe, would be the appropriate design for today’s wind power generators, wherever they may be located.
I think it’s a complete eye ore. I live on the north shore and love looking at the mountains. From here it sticks out likea thumb! Why not put it on teh back side of the mountain where it would get the same results and not be seen.
This squirrel is very cute! Shame they run so fast, I would love to cuddle one someday…
Funnily enough I wrote a blog entry on the wind tower this week end (probably inspired by the strong wind) http://peanutbutterandbanana.com/grouse-mountain-and-the-quiet-revolution/#content
I understand people who find it’s an eyesore but I am 100% clean and quiet energy…