More scenes of White Rock - BC

Life is full of decisions, in this case left or right?

A view of Mount Baker (volcano) from Columbia Avenue

A wild bee (Bombus?) on a summer flowering heather (Erica ssp.)


Another wild bee approaching a floxglove

Gulls are everywhere

The promenade

Something to see along the promenade

Under neath the boardwalk

The remains of a crab

Helicopter flying over the beach

The beach at low tide

Blue mussels, barnicles and algae below the boardwalk

Look carefully and you'll find fish every where

Another view of Mount Baker but from the boardwalk

Pigeon on the rocks at the end of the boardwalk

A view of White Rock from the end of the boardwalk above and another one below.

Side view of the former railroad station, now a museum and the view along the tracks.

A sign above and a sailboat on Semiahmoo Bay below.

Gulls at feading time and a helicopter towing a sign.

A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) soaring overhead and then the Amtrak train passing through on its way to Seattle.

Lunch at Montgomery's in White Rock

Wednesday of last week I finally had the chance to go down to White Rock for the afternoon. The last time I was there was probably in September of 2006. As usual, I start off with a lunch (a late lunch in this case), so that usually takes me to Montgomery's Cottage Lunch on Marine Drive opposite the beach at Semiahmoo Bay. Above, the first photos shows the establishment from the southside of Marine Drive and the second image is a view of the side. The third image describes what is on my mind: fish and chips! Below is a view of the inside looking out. Then, you guessed it, my lunch of fish and chips plus a good beer to wash it all down!

On the ceiling, if you take the time to look up, you will notice some hockey sticks. The goalie sticks are signed by Kirk McLean, retired from hockey and formerly of the Vancouver Canucks. Kirk is a cousin to the Montgomerys. The other stick on the ceiling is signed by Pavel Bure. Google both names to find out more about them. You can start by going to http://canuckslegends.blogspot.com/2007/02/kirk-mclean.html to learn more about Kirk and other members of the Vancouver Canucks team.

The friendly and knowledgeable staff are there to serve you. Is it any wonder that they won an award? They're tops in my book but don't take my word for it, check them out yourself the next time you're in White Rock. You can eat in, on their patio or order and take your lunch with you to the beach. Montgomery's Cottage Lunch is at 15539 Marine Drive. Call 1-604-536-7779 to reserve a table for the busy times.

A day on Vancouver's Granville Island

Early in the last week of May I went to Granville Island in Vancouver, BC to meet up with a friend of mine. After arriving at Broadway Station (SkyTrain) and taking the trolley bus from there, I got off at West Broadway and Granville Street and walked to Granville Island from there. Above is a photo of part of the Granville Bridge Loop Park along Granville Street. This park is about halfway between West Broadway and Granville Island proper.

The blue flowering shrubs in the park were covered in various wild bees looking for nectar and below is a closer view of one of these shrubs. Where ever I would see them, there were plenty of bees about.

Above is one of the many bees getting nectar from the shrub's flowers. I am still in the process of determining the species of bees that I have been seeing locally. As soon as I have that information, I will post it.

There are many ways of getting to and from the island. This boat is one of them. Other ways are taking walking, taking a bus or a combination of these options.

Looking to the northwest from the north side of the island near the public markets. The Burrard Street bridge is in the background on the left.

Sea gulls are every where and always looking for an opportunity to "grab" a meal. Someone's inattention with their lunch can mean a feast for several birds.

Here are the buildings that contain the Granville Island Public Market (on the left and in the background).

Another view to the northwest from the north side of Granville Island.

Crows are also looking for their meal opportunity.

The large boat on the left was backing out and the small one on the right was coming in. It's always a busy place during the day with vessels coming and going.

A view to the east from a hill on the east side of the island. Science World is the domed structure in the centre background.

Looking toward the west-northwest with Johnston Street in view. The bridge over False Creek (Burrard Street Bridge) is in the background.

A view of the top of the hill from which some of the previous photos were taken.

With the warm, sunny weather people were out walking, cycling, or as this person is doing, rollerblading. Below a Canada goose is watching what's going on and don't seem to miss a thing.

Another of those flowering shrubs and the many bees. Below the cloud patterns are as interesting as anything else is.

A Great Blue Heron perched on a rock in a pond in Charleson Park near Granville Island. Below a bearded iris growing along the edge of the pond.

In the photo above and below is a structure that was carved by 800 people. The image above gives a closer view and the one below gives a view of the whole things.

Above is the plaque found at the base of the pole.

You never know what you will find while on or near the water in Vancouver. These houseboats are no exception, not to mention the heron perched on a boat.