This post has been contributed by Don Enright, Volunteer and Past President with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”). I have been following SPES since I moved into the West End almost a decade ago and I have been a member for two years. I wanted to offer the team an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I have created “SPES Saturday” where they contribute and share stories with my audience once a month.
The Birds of Winter: Just One More Reason to Love Stanley Park
As Vancouverites, we’re accustomed to being the envy of Canada as winter approaches. One might even accuse us of being a bit smug about it. Six inches of snow in Calgary and it’s only September? “Oh, what a shame,” we say, sipping cocktails by the bay. “We can’t wait for December when the lawns green up again.”
Varied thrush. Photo by Don Enright.
One of the least-known perks of the Vancouver winter? We’re probably the only place in Canada (along with Vancouver Island) where the bird watching is actually better in winter than in summer. Our mild temperatures and rich coastal habitats are like a magnet to seabirds and songbirds, who flock here by the thousands to take refuge from the nasty Canadian winter. And Stanley Park is one of the best places in the region to witness it all.
Lost Lagoon is a good place to start your winter birdwatching. Great blue herons poke patiently along the shore, as hundreds of ducks—scaups, ring-necked ducks and American wigeons, among others—take advantage of the open fresh water. The ducks are quite tame, and can be a lot of fun to photograph. But do resist the urge to feed them; they’re far healthier when left to make out their own natural diet.
Great blue heron. Photo by Don Enright.
Make your way to the concrete bridge on the western edge of the lagoon, and you’ll see an amazing variety of songbirds taking shelter in the salmonberry bushes. A favourite among birdwatchers is the golden-crowned sparrow, with its plaintive “oh dear meeee” song. Chestnut-backed chickadees, spotted towhees and white-crowned sparrows complete the picture, all of them keeping a nervous eye out for the Cooper’s hawks that patrol from the Nature House all the way over to Cathedral Trail.
Golden-crowned sparrow, Lost Lagoon. Photo by Don Enright.
Speaking of Cathedral Trail, a lucky and patient observer might spot the barred owls that nest in the area in late winter. Their booming “who cooks for youuuu” call echoes through the quiet rainforest, particularly in late afternoon as they begin to stir for the night’s hunt.
Barred owl. Photo by Don Enright.
Of all our winter birds, the Anna’s hummingbird just might be the coolest, in more ways than one. Yes, there is a hummingbird that spends the long dark stormy winter right here in Vancouver. How does it survive? It goes into torpor. Its body temperature and heartbeat plummet at night—it’s sort of a mini-hibernation that lasts until the sun rises again in the morning. The Anna’s was originally a bird of the American southwest, but started expanding its range in the last fifty years as more people started planting winter gardens and hanging nectar feeders. Look for this little dynamo near the Nature House at Lost Lagoon, near the Stanley Park Pavilion, and around the Park Board offices.
Anna’s hummingbird. Photo by Don Enright.
One of the real spectacles of late fall and early winter are the huge flocks of ducks that feed on clams and mussels in the sea bays around Stanley Park. As you walk or cycle around the seawall, look for these tremendous rafts of ducks, busily diving like thousands of little synchronized swimmers. The black ones with the white mullet hairdos are surf scoters; the fancy black and white ones are Barrow’s goldeneyes. The waters of English Bay and Burrard Inlet have recently been designated Important Bird Areas in recognition of their role in the winter survival of these birds.
Surf scoters, English Bay. Photo by Don Enright.
And as you’re watching the ducks, keep your eyes peeled for the graceful, long-necked western grebe. These beauties used to winter here by the thousands, but have all but disappeared in the last ten years or so. Nobody is quite sure why they have declined here, or what is required to bring their numbers back.
Western grebe. Photo by Don Enright.
Monitoring our winter birds, and raising the alarm when their numbers drop, is the work of the Stanley Park Ecology Society and its tireless volunteers. If you’re interested in getting involved, or just learning a bit more about the rich and beautiful bird life of Stanley Park, stop by our Nature House or drop us an email.
Staying connected with the wild things of Stanley Park is just one more way to enjoy the beauty of life in Vancouver, even during the long wet winter.
Canada is hosting the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Vancouver will play a big role with matches — including the final — hosted at BC Place. Ticket passports are now on sale for multiple games at each of the host cities: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, and Moncton.
Ticket Sales Timeline
- September 10, 2014 to December 5, 2014: Stadium Passports and Stadium Half Passports on sale.
- December 6, 2014 to Early 2015: Stadium Passports and Stadium Half Passports on sale with seat selection. Official tournament draw takes place December 6, 2014.
- Early 2015 to Late Spring 2015: Individual tickets go on sale with exclusive pre-sale windows.
- Late Spring to July 2015: Individual tickets on sale with online purchase options and venue ticket window purchase options.
Ticket Passports
Stadium Passports and Stadium Half Passports: Fan can purchase passports for host stadiums that will earn them access to all or half of the games at a particular venue, while also granting first-come, first-serve access tickets to the final in Vancouver at time of purchase. Stadium Passports are available for each venue and Stadium Half Passports will only be available for Vancouver (BC Place), Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium), and Montreal (Olympic Stadium).
Groups and Clubs: For ticket orders of 11 or more, groups and clubs will be given access to discounts as well as cash-back incentives, and the chance to be involved in the tournament’s youth program.
The first match day in Vancouver, at BC Place, is June 8th and Vancouver will host the final match on July 5th with plenty of action in between. Purchasing a Stadium Passport for Vancouver means you get 6 tickets for 8 matches, starting at $185. Stadium Half Passes give you 3 tickets for 4 matches, starting at $80.
For more information follow the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Twitter and Facebook, as well as the Canadian Women’s National Team on Twitter and Facebook as they gear up for this epic tournament.
Culture Days is an annual, national, three day celebration where Canadians are encouraged to participate in free and interactive activities to discover their cultural spirit and passion. Here in BC, there are 449 events and activities listed on the Culture Days calendar between September 26th and 28th and a provincial launch event will take place in Surrey.
Featured BC Culture Days Events
What: BC Culture Days Provincial Launch
When: Thursday, September 25, 2015 from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Surrey City Hall, Centre Stage, 13450 104th Ave
Details: Presented in partnership with the City of Surrey, Surrey Arts Centre, and Surrey Libraries. Everyone is invited to join in this free public community celebration featuring:
- Christopher Gaze, Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach as emcee
- Performances by Country singer Lisa Brokop, Spirit of the West’s John Mann, Surrey City Orchestra, Praise Team (hip hop dance troupe), and Heritage Re-enactors
- A cultural forecast by CTV’s Marke Driesschen and speakers Sal Ferreras, Provost and Vice President Academic at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Lucille Pacey, President and CEO of Arts Umbrella
- Evelyn Roth’s inflatable salmon installation & storytelling, a poetry reading by Rawle Iam James, 2014 BC Culture Days Ambassador, onsite sketching by Elizabeth Hollick and painting activities presented by the South Surrey/ White Rock Society
- Enjoy lunch from food trucks and more
Abbotsford
What: Arts and Culture Youth Party
When: Friday, September 26, 2014 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: AYC Youth Centre at MRC and AYC Youth Centre at ARC, 2499 McMillan Road
Details: Youth ages 12 to 18 can join the Abbotsford Youth Commission in creating art installations for their youth centres. Free food and free fun.
Kelowna
What: Culture Days Street Festival at 312 Bernard Ave
When: Friday, September 26 (6:00pm to 11:00pm); Saturday, September 27 (11:00am to 10:00pm), Sunday, September 28 (11:00am to 5:00pm)
What: Book Drop to Book Shelf: A Backroom Tour of the Library
When: Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 1:30pm
Where: Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way
Details: Ever wondered where your books go when you drop them off through the slot in the wall? How do new books get ‘library ready’? Learn about these and other library mysteries in our special Culture Days Back Room Tour with a behind-the-scenes look at the library’s inner workings. All ages are welcome.
Richmond
What: Life Drawing
When: Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Where: Richmond Cultural Arts Centre, #180 7700 Minoru Gate
Details: Richmond Artists Guild will have a display of some of their work and also have a model posing. Members will be painting and drawing and the public is invited to watch or to try their hand and join in. All ages are welcome.
Vancouver
What: Introductory Workshop to Contemporary Dance and Group Improv
When: Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Moberly Arts Centre, 7646 Prince Albert St
Details: You will learn and apply improvisation principles and present a brief group choreography. Open to all ages and all levels of experience with dance.
There are hundreds of events to choose from around the Vancouver area which also include a Camera Obscura Workshop, the 20th Annual Word Vancouver Festival, Photo Exhibition: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and Canada, Granville Island Culture Days, and an Etsy: Made in Canada Fair at Robson Square.
Follow national Culture Days updates on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Doolin’s Irish Pub on the corner of Granville and Nelson has become our second home on Whitecaps match days (due to it being the official base of the Southsiders supporter club) but John and I recently enjoyed a different Doolin’s experience when we stopped by after work for a flight of local brews and some dinner.
The friendly neigbhbourhood pub, situated in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s entertainment district, is known for its sporting event screenings, live music, casks nights, and beer pairing dinners. On match days, we usually enjoy the specialty menu that is offered so during our date night we sampled a wider range of offerings.
First things first, we each ordered a flight of beer ($11.50) which consists of 4 x 6oz samples of any beer they have on tap, including plenty of local options like Russell, Granville Island, Stanley Park, and brewed-for-Doolin’s features. It was a great start to the night in our cozy, wood-paneled nook near the fireplace.
We decided to split an appetizer and go for something a bit different. After consulting with our server, who said it was a good choice, we ordered the Duck Bites ($8) which are chipotle and ginger marinated duck morcels topped with spicy pickled jalepenos, wrapped in bacon and topped with a sweet sesame soy glaze. There were only a few pieces of duck on the plate but they were devoured quickly and the accompanying salad was a bright and fresh contrast to the rich, tender bites.
For dinner I stuck with pub fare and ordered the Cork County Chicken Pot Pie ($12.50), made with Rossdown free-run chicken from Abbotsford, carrots, celery, and peas in a creamy stew topped with flaky pastry. It was served with house-made mash potatoes and seasonal vegetables. When I poked my fork into the pastry it was “steaming like a locomotive,” as John put it. The pastry was very light and buttery, not too dense, and baked to a golden brown. Once the piping hot filling cooled a bit, I enjoyed the large, tender chunks of chicken in the rich stew. The only drawback was that I did not finish my potato and could have gone for one fluffy, buttery mound instead of two. Those with a heartier appetite will enjoy this helping, however.
John opted for the Wild Salmon ($17) which came topped with garlic herb butter, seasonal vegetables and rice pilaf. This is a simple dish but sometimes — served elsewhere — it can go terribly wrong without the right care and attention to fresh and local ingredients. John thoroughly enjoyed his light meal and in this case it was just right, from the glistening pink salmon to the tender pilaf.
After getting our fill of vegetables at the pub we couldn’t resist dessert. John hemmed and hawed about the third course but once I serenaded him with a chorus of “peanut butter chocolate ice cream” he was hooked. The Brownies and Ice Cream ($6) features a warm, house-made brownie with velvety peanut butter chocolate ice cream. Normally we wouldn’t mix a flight of beer and ice cream but it perfectly rounded out the entire dining experience.
Finally, another thing we like at Doolin’s is the friendly staff. No matter how jam-packed the pub might get, like on a Whitecaps match day, everyone is always helpful, courteous, and prompt.
Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Doolin’s
Now that I have shared our after work/dinner date experience, I have the chance to offer a reader their own with a $50 gift certificate from Doolin’s.
They have new menu items like Cajun Chicken Salad, Wonton Prawns, Fried Pickles, Short Rid Flatbread, Wild Salmon Sandwich, and a Fried Chicken Sandwich as well as wine on tap.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2014. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. Doolin’s is located at 654 Nelson St at Granville in downtown Vancouver. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Update The winner is Sarah M!
Yesterday I posted my latest (and probably my only) home decor tip on Instagram by sharing a Vancouver history photo that I downloaded and printed from the Vancouver Archives. It was a hit there so I thought I would share the tip here as well.
The Big Idea
The other day I set out to spruce up the bright white walls in our apartment which currently host a rotating gallery of my sister-in-law’s art, art by Grant Wood, sketches and graphics made by friends, heirloom maps, and in the office I have a few Miss604 awards and certificates on display. There was just something missing and it felt like Vancouver itself needed more representation inside our home, but in a unique way.
Vancouver History Photo Prints
Four years ago I began featuring daily and weekly Vancouver History Photos in the “Archives Photo” section of Miss604, which was populated by finds from the City of Vancouver Archives and the Vancouver Public Library Archives. I’ve featured photographers and themes like taxis, beaches, maps, cats, moustaches, street fashions, aerials and many more in over 200 posts. I had never thought of pulling some of my favourite snapshots from these collections before but it seemed like the perfect fit for my home art project. It’s so incredibly simple too, here’s the process:
- Search the Vancouver Archives online for your desired image. Type in keywords and be sure to check on the copyright of the photo you have selected, this is clearly noted on the photo description page. Look for “Copyright Status: Public Domain” or if it belongs to the City of Vancouver. This means you are free to download and use the work, and the Vancouver Archives also encourages this.
If your search is outside of this scope, you can purchase copies of a digital record via the archives. Just stop by in person (at 1150 Chestnut Street), make a phone call (604-736-8561), or inquire online.
- Click on the image to get the largest resolution possible, then download that file to your computer.
- For printing, I used the London Drugs Photo Lab. There are a number of printing styles and options to choose from — including canvas gallery wraps — but I simply selected a glossy, no border, 11×14 print for pick-up. Within an hour, and $11.99 (plus tax) later, I had my print. All it needs now is a frame.
The Vancouver Archives has always been a fantastic resource and it feels good to have taken my little photo searches from the online realm right into my home.
Getting Started
To get you started, I searched around to find a few Public Domain (usable) photos that you can click, download, and print just like I did.
The City of Vancouver Archives were founded by Major J.S. Matthews in 1933. Today, you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about their collections, the reading room, and special events.
