Kelly (pond) Lake

Another beautiful Sunday outing.
Another spectacular example of just how beautiful our Julys can be.

A percentage of my photos would probably be labelled as 'snapshots' because they are taken from a vehicle moving at anywhere between 50 and 90 kms/h. I include them as part of the blog to show things that zip by us that we can't always pull over and set up a tripod and check exposures or spend 15 minutes on the composition.

I also pass my images through Photoshop Elements to remove artifacts and lens smutzes, to straightening wonky horizons and to reduce the file sizes to better upload them. 

Today we went to check out a body of water named "Kelly Lake". After much discussion, we both agreed that it really only was the size of a large-ish pond. The little lake/pond is accessible from Clovermeadow Cresc., in a a secluded, idyllic affluent neighbourhood in Langley, BC. 

I'm admit ignorance to what this is but it's nifty in all its old and rusty glory.

I want neighbours with this kind of sense of humour!

There were hundreds of these zipping water striders in this little creek.

What would do this to a chain link fence? Fallen tree perhaps?

The meandering path up to the lake/pond.

One of the affluent with a lake/pond at the edge of their property.

Not sure what the stretched mesh is - if you know let me know.

A secluded section of the pond. Looks like it's down about a pint.

A lovely, sheltered little bench overlooking the water.

You'd never know there's a river between us and those moutains.

A panoramic-ish view.

An impressive weeping willow (from a moving vehicle).

I don't know what it is about the lower mainland and its fixation on giant freakishly horrifying mascots! (see last two images in the North Burnaby post)

Port Mann bridge.

These beasts fly by on the roadways at death-defying speeds sometimes.

Looking like the Port Mann, the old skytrain bridge makes a striking profile over the oncoming traffic.

Centennial Beach

 We truly live in a beautiful spot on the planet. Snow capped mountains in one direction. Sandy beaches in another. And dense cool forests to get lost in, in yet another.

Not everybody can brag that they can go skiing or snowboarding in the morning, go wind surfing or get in 9 holes of golf in the afternoon and head off into the woods for an exilerating, early evening hike - all in one day. 

A friend invited me to join her at Centennial Beach part of the Boundary Bay Regional Park this week at low tide to stayed long enough to see the tide return. and enjoy a beautiful day in the sun by the ocean.

I've now witnessed the tides of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Atlantic tide was in the Bay of Fundy while staying on the island of Grand Manan in New Brunswick one crisp and clear September week.

And now the Centennial Beach tide coming in on a sunny, windy summer day.

Tides: The tidal range in the Bay of Fundy is about 16 metres (52 ft). (The average tidal range worldwide is about one metre (3 ft 3 in).) Some tides are higher than others, depending on the position of the moon, the sun, and atmospheric conditions. (google search)

It was a perfect day to just sit and wait for and watch the tide come back in. These photos may seem repetitive but from beginning to end you can see the water slowly coming in.

A panorama of our view.

Day camp goers learning to boogie board.

We attracted an unwelcome visitor that wouldn't leave.

Mount Baker way over there on the other side of the bay.

It was a good day to go fly a kite!

On the alert for unattended food.

Flying in to help Mr Crow out with an unprotected chip bag.

You could walk to the end of the earth at low tide.

Soaring far overhead.

Ourbeach umbrella doing a fine job. Wish I'd sat under it longer.

A great time spending time with people.

That's a long way to go.

Capturing precious memories.

If it's there I will scale it while a crow watches me.

Honey, do you remember where you parked the boat?

The water.

Contemplating whether to stay dry or plop down and enjoy the water.

A contemplative stroll out to the encroaching tide's edge.

Our sunbrella closed due to the wind.

I found where I parked the car dear. The water's gonna help move it.

A sunbrella two logs over.

Launching one of these is all in the run.

The ocean's approach is subtle until it's right in front of you.

Scattered frollickers are being corralled by the unstoppable tide.

Nearly done for another day.

The tree waits for the ocean blanket to wrap itself around it.

Under the Iron Worker's Memorial Bridge

Another Sunday breakfast and drive. Switched it up! Went out of our normal circuit again. Last Sunday was North Burnaby. This week it was the North Shore and under the Iron Workers' Memorial Bridge (originally named the Second Narrows Bridge). 

Note: In June of 1958, a crane collapsed. 79 workers fell 30 metres (98 ft) into the water. 19 were killed either instantly or shortly afterward from their injuries, some possibly drowned by their heavy tool belts. The bridge collapse was due to a miscalculation by bridge engineers. In 1994 the bridge was renamed "Iron Workers' Memorial Bridge.

Heading for North Vancouver.

These heavy coils of iron were embedded in the ground everywhere.

Clouds were moving in interesting formations.

The bridge.

This is a steel truss cantilever bridge.

It's made of styrofoam. Buoy?

Looks like the surface of a distant planet.

Sheets of this mesh were everywhere too.

There were a bunch of these lying about too. No clue what it is.

The two bridges.

Deafening clatter overhead.

Nature's delicat strength survives in the toughest spots.

Train testle.

Art or Vandalism?

It's like wearing ankle socks I bet.

I love living in British Columbia!

Much speculation but no closer to knowing what this actually is.

Those amazing whisps of cloud.

Still no closer to figuring it out.

One way into Harbour View Park.

Sit a spell before you hit the trail.

Those clouds from my passenger seat window heading home.

Next trip: Centenial Beach. With sun and wind and a 3 alarm sunburn.