Piper Spit at Burnaby Lake

What a gorgeous, gorgeous morning! The sun was up and not a single cloud in the sky. My weather app said it was -3°C.
It was a tad breezy with the roof off - but it is our custom on Sundays to remove the roof (except when it rains).

We went to a local birder's dream destination, I think. (maybe second to Rieffel Bird Sanctuary?) The Piper Spit Pier and Nature House on Burnaby lake.

According to a couple of sources on the interwebz the lake was:
_created by a glacier about 12,000 years ago.
_a vital waterway for the Coast Salish people.
_a century ago, the shores of Burnaby lake were home to numerous sawmills.

In 1972 the "Group of 10" (now know as the BLPA) fought to save the lake.
In 2006 over 13,000,000 cu ft of sediment was dredged because it was no longer suitable for paddling sports and it was in threat of being reduced to mud flats or wetlands.
The lake has over 19 km of walking and hiking trails circling the entire lake.
There is an equestrian centre at the lake with its own 6 km of trails

Local community members and the BLPA (Burnaby Lake Preservation Association) fought to preserve the lake, ensuring it stays bio-diverse and resilient for wildlife, birds and the community.

Along with the assorted birds and water fowl that call the lake home, you may spot, to name a few; turtles, beavers and according to the warning signs, bears.

Worth noting, there are over 400 species of plants, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibian species in and around the lake. So how about we look at a few shots from the spit...

Oh and here's a list of some of the birds we saw. (in no particular order)

Black capped chickadee.
Coot.
Canada goose.
Sea gulls
Green winged teal.
Red winged black bird.
Mallard duck.
Pigeons.
Pintails.

Did you know that there are two types of ducks, I didn't. 
You have your dabblers and your divers. Dabblers bob upside down with their fannies in the air when looking for food while divers use their wings to swim underwater when  hunting for dinner.
Who knew?

The shots..

Black Capped Chickadee

Black Capped Chickadee

Green Winged Teal (M/F), Pigeon

Coot

Mostly Seagulls

Canada Goose

Mr. & Mrs. Mallard

Pin Tail

A couple of parks

What a stunning Sunday! Blue skies, you remember those, right? Winter blue with a smattering of clouds. The air was just above crispy and so fresh that your lungs could sing.

Made a quick stop at Taylor park in Burnaby with its children's play area, off-leash dog area and stunning views. Who knew it was once a landfill.

And keeping this trip in Burnaby, next we stopped at [locally famous?] City in the Park.
It's a community of seven towers spread over 16 acres. With a central garden that -as their sign says- is inspired by those of Hampton Court Palace in England and Versailles Palace in France.

After a lovely stroll through the garden we stopped for a couple of coffees then home again.

Did you see the squirrel? I didn't

Happy New Year. Here's to a year of improved health, happy memories and cornucopia of abundance.

First photo/coffee outing of 2025 and January's weather was typical; grey, rainy, dreary.

I found it difficult to feel motivated. But I managed to get one shot I actually like.
[here's hoping there are many more]

Did you see the squirrel? I didn't!