John Harvey Photo

February 2017

Go to Slide Show Smaller Images More Snow than an Average Vancouver Winter


 

Walking to Work


Pomaria At Howe And Pacific
In December I started at a new job downtown.  My goal was to bring my camera from time to time and take photos of the walk in or the walk home.  I'm not going to bring a whole backpack full of lenses so sometimes you have to make due with what you have.  This is a seam together of three images shot at twilight. 


Nara On 7th With Snowball
Other times, the weather makes the photo for you.  School was still running even though the roads were mostly quiet.  On our walk in, we watched a car with summer tires try and fail to get out of a parking spot.  I was really glad I can walk to work because often the buses aren't running and those that are are filled beyond capacity by the time they get to my neighborhood.


Entrance To False Creek In Snow Fog

Birds in the Cold

Girls With Small SnowmanPuffed Up Male Downy Woodpecker
I don't know where this idea came from, but I like the Richmond Nature park and I figured the kids could play in the snow while I watch the birds at the feeders.  Helen supervised the kids and I tried to take portraits of the birds close, but not on the bird feeders. 


I was really struck by how big the birds were.  First I thought they had just overdone it at the bird feeder, but then I realized these birds were puffing up their features to maintain heat.  Bird features are apparently quite good at keeping in heat so the birds may not be experiencing the cold the same way my naked fingers were.

Puffed Up Male AnnasPuffed Up Dark Eyed Junko
 
Puffed Up Song SparrowPuffed Up Spotted TowheePuffed Up House FinchPuffed Up Chickadee

The kids had enough time to make a snowman and I got some peace.  We toured the nature house and were on our way for a bit of shopping in Richmond (Helen's turn for good times). 

Chinese New Years at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden does a nice job at a winter lantern festival near Chinese New Years.  Some years are crazy busy, but they have increased the suggested donation and the crowds have gotten a little smaller.  Parking is crazy, but that's part of the fun.

Kids And Outline AnimalsKids Smiling With Dragon Ting Behind

The garden usually does a "Year of the (insert animal here)" display.  This year they had some cutout style characters with lots of kids posing.  I brought my flash this year (Helen was surprised because I so rarely use it) and my tripod so nothing was fast to shoot.

Dragon Wrapped Around TingLit Up Back Walkway

The more traditional elements of the garden make great elements for photos, but the crowds can make it a bit of trick to get a nice photo.



Jade Water Pavilion With Lanterns HgMoon Gate Lit Up

James's Birthday Party

James and his brother really like hockey - both the ice and floor variety.  My sister found a community center that would do a floor hockey themed birthday and still have space for cake and drinks after.  Whiterock is a long way from our house so of course we arrived earlier.

Getting Out Hockey SticksFour Cousins In Net

There optimum team size appears to be about 5 aside - more just led to crazy balls of kids surrounding the ball.  The gym organized shifts and the kids really enjoyed both running and cheering.

James Cheering From The SidelineJames Handling The BallNara Chasing BallMarcus Handling The Ball
 
It wasn't all floor hockey - the gym organized about 4 different variations of tag which worked well with a larger crowd of kids.
 
Nara Playing TagClaira Playing Tag

Happy birthday James!

Skiing at Grouse

Raven Looking For Handouts

Over Christmas we had 5 ski days organized for the kids - Wake up painfully early, get to grouse by 7:50, get the kids on the gondola and ski until about lunchtime.  On Claira's last day it was cold - maybe -8°C at the top and apparently the heating had failed in the kids lodge.  We got to the top of the mountain and found out the morning classes for Claira were canceled while the heated the building up again.  We booked an replacement day for February.


Claira With Lights In Background
February is much different than December - the sun has risen by 7:30 am and the crowds are way thinner.  The temperature was hovering above 0 and it looked like it was only going to get warmer.  I dropped Claira off and decided to go out for a walk. 


Grouse Mountain has a very well marked "snow shoeing" trail to Dam Mountain - round trip of about 5km.  There are some steep sections, but I had not problem walking the whole route wearing winter boots. There are a few nice viewpoints toward the city and over to Cypress mountain.

View Of Vancouver From Dam Mountain

View To Cypress Lions From Grouse

I got back in time to pick up Claira.  It was so warm (about 8°C) that she didn't need a jacket.  After class we did a few trips on the magic carpet, ate our snacks and then headed back to home.

Claira At Bottom Of RunClaira Doing Snowplow

Claira has her stopping down and is getting better at turning.  Next year we might be able to do real skiing after she finishes her classes!

Kick Bike and Scooter Ride

Claira Riding Down HillNara On Her Scooter
If it's not raining and we have some extra time on the weekend, my go to activity is to go down to Granville Island with the kids and just walk around.  Our favorite run is along the seawall out to Cambie street (passing two playgrounds, a waterfall and lots of great views) but the seawall is under construction right now so we limited our run to the Island and back.


  Nara Doing Scooter Tricks
The kids always want to visit the waterpark to use the flat surface bowls where the water sprinklers run in the summer.  The ground is fast there and the kids can run about without worrying about cars or pedestrians.  There have been a few near misses as they cross paths, but so far no collisions.

Claira Riding Water Park

This trip we found a parade was on (Winteruption) and we watches some dancing performances.  We visited the boat yard and the kids thought it was funny to pose under a water taxi.

Under The AquabusWatching Parade Go By


Maybe stop for a treat at the market and then head home - kids are a bit more tired and willing to draw or play quietly for an hour.  Good day for everyone!

Swimming Day

Nara Pool Side
We take our kids to swimming class every Monday night.  It's not often that I bring a camera, but I did this week.  Near the end of the term is safety day where the kids practice using life jackets and swimming in wavy water. 

Nara Front Crawl

 
Claira Sitting On MatClaira Chasing Teacher
Claira is still pretty junior so much of the lesson is formed as play - chase the teacher or wet exit - to build skills.  She has a good time and she is getting better at swimming.

Claira In Tippy Boat
 


 
 


Puffed Up Song Sparrow
Species: Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow)
Tags: Richmond Nature Park
Entrance To False Creek In Snow Fog
Tags: commute, fog, marina, snow, Vancouver
Moon Gate Lit Up
Person: Nara, Claira
Tags: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, gate, lights, moon, night
Claira Sitting On Mat
Person: Claira
Girls With Small Snowman
Person: Claira, Nara
Altitude: 11m (36 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Richmond Nature Park, snow, snowman
Claira Riding Water Park
Person: Claira
Nara On Her Scooter
Person: Nara
Watching Parade Go By
Tags: Granville Island, parade
Claira Chasing Teacher
Person: Claira
Tags: swimming
View Of Vancouver From Dam Mountain
Altitude: 1332m (4370 feet)
Location: Go To...
Pomaria At Howe And Pacific
Altitude: 11m (36 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: building, commute, sunset, Vancouver
Nara Chasing Ball
Person: Nara
Nara Pool Side
Person: Nara
Tags: swimming
Claira Riding Down Hill
Person: Claira
Four Cousins In Net
Person: Claira, James, Marcus, Nara
Nara Playing Tag
Person: Nara
Raven Looking For Handouts
Species: Corvus corax (Common Raven)
Kids And Outline Animals
Person: Claira, Nara
Tags: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, lantern, night, snow
View To Cypress Lions From Grouse
Altitude: 1332m (4370 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira With Lights In Background
Person: Claira
Altitude: 1089m (3572 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Grouse Mountain
Claira Playing Tag
Person: Claira
Jade Water Pavilion With Lanterns Hg
Claira In Tippy Boat
Person: Claira
Tags: swimming
Puffed Up Male Annas
Species: Calypte anna (Anna's Hummingbird)
Tags: Queen Elizabeth Park
Dragon Wrapped Around Ting
Tags: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, dragon
Puffed Up Chickadee
Species: Poecile atricapillus (Black-capped Chickadee)
Tags: Richmond Nature Park
Puffed Up House Finch
Species: Haemorhous mexicanus (House Finch)
Tags: Richmond Nature Park
Nara Front Crawl
Person: Nara
Tags: swimming
Nara Doing Scooter Tricks
Person: Nara
Lit Up Back Walkway
Person: Nara, Claira
James Cheering From The Sideline
Person: James
Under The Aquabus
Person: Nara, Claira
Tags: boat, Granville Island
Nara On 7th With Snowball
Person: Nara
Tags: commute, snow, snowball, Vancouver
Claira At Bottom Of Run
Person: Claira
Altitude: 1088m (3569 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Grouse Mountain, skiing
Getting Out Hockey Sticks
Person: Claira, James, Marcus, Nara
Claira Doing Snowplow
Person: Claira
Altitude: 1096m (3595 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Grouse Mountain, skiing
James Handling The Ball
Person: James
Puffed Up Male Downy Woodpecker
Species: Picoides pubescens (Downy Woodpecker)
Tags: Richmond Nature Park
Kids Smiling With Dragon Ting Behind
Person: Claira, Nara
Tags: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, lantern, night, snow
Puffed Up Spotted Towhee
Species: Pipilo maculatus (Spotted Towhee)
Tags: Richmond Nature Park
Puffed Up Dark Eyed Junko
Species: Junco hyemalis (Dark-eyed Junco)
Tags: Richmond Nature Park
Marcus Handling The Ball
Person: Marcus
Tags: Richmond Nature Park(7), snow(5), Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden(4), swimming(4), Vancouver(3), Grouse Mountain(3)
People: Claira(17), Nara(15), James(4), Marcus(3)
From: John Harvey Photo > Blogs for 2023 to 2005 > February 2017

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