Seven DNCB “Martyrs” endured the fourth miserable and rainy Tuesday in a row at the normally beautiful and bountiful Burnaby Lake Park. Our Leader Roger M was at Petra’s, but unfortunately was called away to a family “taxi” emergency. Only two photos taken by Ladner Jack on our Flickr site https://www.flickr.com/search/?group_id=3027315%40N23&text=2017-47&view_all=1 .
It wasn’t raining when four of us (Roger Two drove Terry, Ladner Jack & me) left Petra’s in Tsawwassen at 7:30 a.m. But it started after the tunnel and never stopped all morning. We drove some convoluted way through Burnaby and the masses of traffic and got to the Nature House parking lot at Burnaby Lake Park at 8:45 a.m. Richmond Brian and our fisherman friends, Roy and Solveig, were bundled up waiting for us. The conversation continued, basically about “What the hell are we doing out in this?” and “Why don’t we go for lunch now?” We persevered and strolled out the boardwalk onto the lookout. The water was high and rushing, and there were tonnes of birds, many in beautiful breeding plumage. We recognized many through the water drops in our binocs: Wood Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, American Coots, American Wigeon and Mallards. Common little birds, Song & Fox Sparrows, Marsh Wren, Towhees, etc. Jack reluctantly took a group photo on the lookout with his cell phone.
We walked back to the Nature House and three soaked DNCBers snuck into the warmth of their car while four weirdoes continued on the trail walk, all the way to the Fish Ladder bridge. We walked for about an hour and half in the pouring rain. A few Chestnut-backed Chickadees excited us, then a pair of Hooded Mergansers at the Turtle Nesting area. An American Dipper at the Fish Ladder was the culmination of our excitement. We quickly walked back through the woods to the Nature House. The warm, dry threesome were waiting, but it was too early (10:30 a.m.) for lunch. Lots of smiles when we decided to “abort” this mission.
We drove relatively quickly back to Tsawwassen, and to the Rose & Crown Pub by 11:15 a.m. Interesting that as we pulled into Tsawwassen, the rain stopped. Just sayin’, that’s why we live in Delta. The pub was cozy and warm, and I learned from my wet underwear that my “rain resistant” pants were not rain proof. Leila lit the fireplace, and my roast beef sandwich, fries and tea (yes tea), hit the spot. Mike B joined us for lunch, and I had a tasty Granville Island Lager so I didn’t break my luncheon beer streak, like Eli Manning. Anyhow, it was another frustrating DNCB outing, but made enjoyable by the very interesting and like-minded company.
Next Tuesday, Dec. 5 is our outing to Blaine, Washington and Semiahmoo Bay. We’ll leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. and meet at and car-pool from the Peace Arch Park parking lot (behind the Duty-Free) at 8:15 a.m. Our monthly DNS Christmas meeting is also next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Benediction Lutheran church in Tsawwassen at 7:30 p.m. Felix Martinez of the South Coast Bat Action Team will give a presentation on Bats and their Contribution to our Ecosystem. Visitors welcome, free. Check out our website for more info, reports and photos at: https://www.dncb.wordpress.com/. As always, your comments are welcome. Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists Society
