John Harvey Photo

August 2017

Go to Slide Show Smaller Images More photos at night than during the day


Fireworks From Burrard Street Bridge

Vancouver isn't a cheap city to live in so if you do choose to live here, you really have to take advantage of the features the city provides.  Every year there are fireworks and it's easy to become jaded to them after you have seen them 10 times or more.  Thankfully we have kids which inspires you to revisit things they have never seen.  We parked a little closer to the bridge (about 3 blocks closer) and walked on around 8:30.  I setup my camera and took photos in the lead up to the fireworks.
Tonight was Canada so there were lots of red and white combiations.  White is often quite bright and hard to photograph with other colours.

Blue Burst On TopGreen Blue And DinghyGround Medium Huge

Purples And SparklesStreams Three TwoTwo Rainbows

One of the features of the bridge location is photos that combine the fireworks with the city.  This kind of shot is a bit of a trick because you want it to be long enough that you get the city lights but not so long that the fireworks burn out.  If you can start the exposure with no fireworks up, you have a better chance of getting a good shot with city blended in.

Blue Fireworks With The CityOrange Fireworks And The CityRainbow Fireworks And The City

The kids had a good time and didn't get stepped on in the crowds walking back to the car.  Now that Claira is 5, I hope we can attend at least one fireworks event each year.

BioBlitz at Stanley Park

My first ever BioBlitz!  The Stanley Park Ecological society organized a BioBlitz at Stanley park as part of Canada 150 this year.  That had a number of activities happening all over the park.  We found parking (an event worth celebrating all by itself and then visited two events.  First, was a beach side show of what scuba divers were able to haul up.

The big (easy) items were the sea stars.  The divers had pulled up some shallow stars that are easy to see and a blood star that isn't so easy to see at low tide.
 
Claira With Ochre StarClaira Touching Blood StarNara Touching Blood Star
 
In the other bins they had smaller items.  They had a tiny green sea urchin and an even smaller nudibranch.  Nice to see!

Nara Touching Tiny Green UrchinNudibranch In TubWoody Chiton On Bottle
 
We returned to higher shore and joined a tour of woody plants.  They pointed out all the tree species that lived close to the parking lot (total walking distance was probably 200 meters).  I was quite impressed by what you can see in such a short distance.  The guide does Biology work for a living (based out of Victoria) and his interest in biology was contagious.   He talked about the bio's found in the soil growing under moss on tall Big Leaf maples.  Apparently there are hundreds of species of tiny invertebrates living up there.
 
Oval Leaf BlueberryRed HuckleberryBeaked Hazelnut
 
Our last session was Sunday morning - we went to a bird banding session for hummingbirds.
 
Hummingbird In Straight JacketCounting Neck FeathersClaira Reading Band

Counting FeathersMeasuring Wing

Claira Releasing HummingbirdNara Practice Banding

Uninterrupted Under the Cambie Street Bridge

Kids Running Under Bridge
I heard there was a movie playing under the Cambie street bridge around dusk.  Friday night isn't a school night so we could keep the kids up late to see the show.  We drove down and found free (as in you don't have to pay for it!) parking within a block of waterfront - I was amazed.  The show is projected over the playground so the kids were really surprised we took them to a playground after dinner.


Kids Watching Fish From PlaygroundNara Resting On Mom
We were at the projection spot around 8pm and the show started at 9.  There was some warm segments before the event started but they were subtle.  The kids would be playing, see something and think the show was about to start.  After a few minutes, they went back to playing.


At nine, with the sun set, the movie started.  There isn't naration, but there is a cycle to the movie.  Many of the images would be fish eye view looking up in a stream which really fits well with the projected on the underside of a bridge format.

  Fish Swimming OverheadSwimming With FishTrees From Under River

Salmon Eggs ProjectedInception In Vancouver

There are 6 projectors involved so the images truely are imersive.   I was sad it was over after half an hour, but the kids had questions that went on quite a bit longer.  It was a great night!

Birding in Boundary Bay

Short Billed Dowitcher
I'm a member of Nature Vancouver and every once in a while you want to go out and learn something new.  Nature organized a birding session at Boundary Bay to see the shore birds as the tide came in.  Nature Vancouver birding events are binoculars/scope focused - they are often using 10 to 40 power instruments (the equivalent of 800mm to 3200mm lenses on a 35mm camera).  The binocular people are keen on identifying the birds, but getting a "photogenic" situation is just a nice to have.


Today there was a flock of about 250 birds.  The vast majority (all but two) were black bellied plovers in various stages of molt.  The two exceptions were a Short Billed Dowitcher (which I can't tell apart from a long billed, but people who know more than me said it was a short) and a barred tailed godwit.  The godwit is identified by the multi-coloured very long bill and the colour of the underparts in flight.

Bar-tailed GodwitBlack Bellied PloversMixed Flock
 
  Looking at 250 birds and finding the one or two that doesn't match is a skill I don't really have, but I need to learn.

The Milky Way from Whytecliff Park

Helen works every seventh weekend so those weekends, I'm single dad'ing it.  It's hard to take photos and parent at the same time so sometimes you have to get creative.  On Friday night, after the moon set, I drove out to Whytecliff park to see the Milky Way.

Since it is dark dark, it's easy to do the exposure.  My camera (a Nikon D800) is most senstive at 800 ISO - turn it any higher and you just get amplifier noise.  My wide angle lense wide open if f2.8.  30 seconds is the longest I can set the exposure to.  I hold down the button (which works for 100 exposures) and shoot away.  I wanted to be home by midnight so I couldn't capture for that long.

I really like the airplanes taking off from the YVR in Richmond.  The sailboat ancorched close by is funny with how far it swings around.

PNE with the Kids

Helen Works every seventh weekend.  On Sunday, I decided to take the kids to the PNE for their first visit.  The kids like animals so our first destination was the animal barns.  They had a large area dedicated to being a farm in BC.  Each kid got a smock and a bucket.  They then went stage to stage collecting a mock up for a product made in BC - milk, eggs, salmon and apples and more.  There was a bit of play, but they ultimately put their items into bins at a farmers market and got a coupon for completing.  It really is propaganda (fish farming was quite a surprise for me) but the kids loved it.
 
Claira Picking Apples As FarmerClaira Riding TractorNara Racing Tractor

My goal for going early was to try and skip the lines.  We went over to the pony rides and got in line.  A ticket was $7 a kid and the ride lasted about 5 minutes.  This was their first pony ride and they clearly want to do it some more.

Nara Led On PonyNara In SaddleClaira Led On PonyClaira In Saddle

 
Claira Watching Horse
 

 
Nara Finishes Phase One

The PNE had an exhibit this year called Toytopia.  A lot of was around retro toys, but there was a large "back yard" area where kids could make forts using PVC pipe, wooden joining blocks and sheets of cloth.  The kids really liked this area - they probably played here for an hour.  The forts could be extended out or up, but the connections weren't strong enough to really scale well.  Clara added a "porch" on the front.  New kids were always coming and going, poking into existing forts and then trying their own had it building.  The fake grass floor made it a lot of fun.

  Claira Building FortClaira In Phase OneClaira IBuilding ExtensionClaira Hanging Out In House


 
Nara With Giant Light BrightNara Non Adjacent Colours
Another popular location was a large scale Light Bright wall.  My sister had a light bright as a kid and we did build a few of the pre-marked images.  This model was a bit more flexible - you could move the pegs around and it didn't leave holes.  The display area is smaller than the old light brights so it was harder to build a large image.

Claira With Giant Light BrightClaira Making Pattern

Custom Topping Sundays
For a lot of people, the PNE is all about the food stalls.  There are a ton of food stalls - mini donuts and corn dogs seemed especially popular.  The kids found an ice cream vendor where you could pick your own topings.  There is only one sized cup which was of course more ice cream they could eat.  The kids favorite toppings were marshmallows, chocolate chips and sprinkles.


We went to a couple of shows.

Eating Ice Cream In SeatsTouching Dogs AfterwardsSuperdog Jumping High

Lantern Procession Around Trout Lake

Mountains At Sunset
Yes, there used to be an amazing summer party at Trout Lake put on by the Public Dreams Society that had lanterns.   The Public Dreams Society closed down around 2013/2014.  This year the Trouth Lake Community Centre put on a Lantern Procession.


Musicans Ready To Play
My Mom was in town and the kids were extra worn out so it was Helen and I without kids for the night.  We arrived a little early and walked around the lake.  They were still setting up some locations with lights and performers.

Performing In Willow TreeHula Hoop Dancing

The actual procession was pretty thick but not especially well lit.  Lot of kids had hand made lanterns but they weren't very bright.

Blinking Light Rolling ByParade Walking By

Face Like Lanterns
Some people had elaborate lanterns that stood out in the crowd.  The procession was going pretty fast so it was hard to photograph and keep up.  As the procession got to the well lit station we gave up trying and keep up and let it go.  Overall, lots of fun!

Lights Reflected In Lake
 


Beaked Hazelnut
Species: Corylus cornuta (beaked hazelnut)
Altitude: 7m (22 feet)
Location: Go To...
Musicans Ready To Play
Altitude: 34m (111 feet)
Location: Go To...
Orange Fireworks And The City
Tags: fireworks, Vancouver
Performing In Willow Tree
Altitude: 26m (85 feet)
Location: Go To...
Salmon Eggs Projected
Tags: bridge, fish, performance, sunset, underneath, Yaletown
Nara Racing Tractor
Person: Nara
Altitude: 33m (108 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: racing, tractor
Custom Topping Sundays
Person: Claira, Nara
Tags: ice cream
Superdog Jumping High
Tags: performance
Mixed Flock
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Blue Fireworks With The City
Tags: fireworks, Vancouver
Inception In Vancouver
Tags: bridge, city, performance, sunset, underneath, Vancouver
Streams Three Two
Tags: fireworks
Kids Watching Fish From Playground
Tags: bridge, performance, playground, underneath
Claira Hanging Out In House
Person: Claira
Claira Picking Apples As Farmer
Person: Claira
Altitude: 33m (108 feet)
Location: Go To...
Hula Hoop Dancing
Altitude: 20m (65 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: dancing, performance, Trout Lake
Nara Practice Banding
Person: Nara
Altitude: 14m (45 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: band
Claira Watching Horse
Altitude: 22m (72 feet)
Location: Go To...
Rainbow Fireworks And The City
Tags: fireworks, Vancouver
Lights Reflected In Lake
Altitude: 30m (98 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: lake, lantern, night, reflection, Trout Lake
Touching Dogs Afterwards
Nara Touching Blood Star
Species: Henricia leviuscula (Blood Star)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Stanley Park
Kids Running Under Bridge
Tags: bridge, playground, running, underneath
Trees From Under River
Tags: bridge, fish, performance, sunset, underneath
Two Rainbows
Tags: fireworks
Hummingbird In Straight Jacket
Altitude: 23m (75 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira Reading Band
Person: Claira
Altitude: 23m (75 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: band
Nara Touching Tiny Green Urchin
Species: Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Green Sea Urchin)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Stanley Park
Nara Finishes Phase One
Person: Nara
Claira Riding Tractor
Person: Claira
Altitude: 33m (108 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira Building Fort
Blinking Light Rolling By
Altitude: 20m (65 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: lantern, long exposure, night, parade, Trout Lake
Claira With Giant Light Bright
Person: Claira
Parade Walking By
Altitude: 20m (65 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: long exposure, night, parade, Trout Lake
Claira In Phase One
Person: Claira
Ground Medium Huge
Tags: fireworks
Nara With Giant Light Bright
Person: Nara
Nara Resting On Mom
Counting Feathers
Altitude: 23m (75 feet)
Location: Go To...
Mountains At Sunset
Altitude: 27m (88 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: lake, mountain, sunset, Trout Lake
Claira IBuilding Extension
Person: Claira
Woody Chiton On Bottle
Species: Mopalia lignosa (Woody Chiton)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Short Billed Dowitcher
Species: Limnodromus griseus (Short-billed dowitcher)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira Led On Pony
Person: Claira
Nara Non Adjacent Colours
Nara Led On Pony
Person: Nara
Altitude: 31m (101 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: riding
Fish Swimming Overhead
Tags: bridge, fish, performance, sunset, underneath
Swimming With Fish
Tags: bridge, fish, performance, sunset, underneath
Measuring Wing
Altitude: 23m (75 feet)
Location: Go To...
Black Bellied Plovers
Species: Pluvialis squatarola (Black-bellied Plover)
Altitude: 5m (16 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira Touching Blood Star
Species: Henricia leviuscula (Blood Star)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Stanley Park
Eating Ice Cream In Seats
Person: Nara
Tags: ice cream
Oval Leaf Blueberry
Species: Vaccinium ovalifolium (oval-leaved blueberry)
Altitude: 9m (29 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Stanley Park
Face Like Lanterns
Altitude: 26m (85 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: lantern, night, Trout Lake
Blue Burst On Top
Tags: fireworks
Claira Making Pattern
Person: Claira
Bar-tailed Godwit
Species: Limosa lapponica (Bar-tailed godwit)
Altitude: 5m (16 feet)
Location: Go To...
Purples And Sparkles
Tags: fireworks
Nara In Saddle
Person: Nara
Altitude: 26m (85 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira With Ochre Star
Species: Pisaster ochraceus (Ochre Star)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Stanley Park
Nudibranch In Tub
Species: Hermissenda crassicornis (Thick-horned Nudibranch)
Altitude: 3m (9 feet)
Location: Go To...
Claira Releasing Hummingbird
Person: Claira
Altitude: 23m (75 feet)
Location: Go To...
Red Huckleberry
Species: Vaccinium parvifolium (Red Huckleberry)
Altitude: 9m (29 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: Stanley Park
Claira In Saddle
Person: Claira
Altitude: 33m (108 feet)
Location: Go To...
Counting Neck Feathers
Altitude: 13m (42 feet)
Location: Go To...
Green Blue And Dinghy
Tags: fireworks
Tags: fireworks(10), performance(8), sunset(7), bridge(7), underneath(7), Stanley Park(6)
People: Claira(12), Nara(8)
From: John Harvey Photo > Blogs for 2023 to 2005 > August 2017

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