Back in Nakusp

From the ferry

As I write the rain falls merrily down outside upon the streets of Nakusp and its a good time to play 'catch-up" as it has been a while since I 'put pen to paper';

Millie with the mountains of Washington in the background

Megan - wind-swept and interesting

Matt in southern Victoria

Tuesday 20 March - Victoria, Vancouver Island - BC museum in the morning and in the afternoon a little wet drive to the south west of the island to visit Sooke. Brewer's Blackbirds were a nice addition to the afternoon drive.

Brewer's Blackbird

Wednesday 21 March - Victoria, Vancouver to Vancouver - In the morning we went to the coast - Clover's Point etc and then to Swan Lake nature park - again a place that I remembered fondly from the 2009 tour.

Swan Lake

It did not disappoint.

Dark-eyed Junco

Immediately we saw Anna's Hummingbirds - Megan's first views of these American gems. Overhead were raptors; Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and another 2009 first; Turkey Vulture. By the days end I had seen at least 5 birds. Swan Lake also held Bushtit, Song, Fox and Golden crowned Sparrows, Towhees, nesting Bewick's Wrens plus singing Marsh Wrens, Chestnut backed Chickadees, and both species of Kinglet. In the water were mallards, Canada Geese, Wigeon and some Ring necks and Scaup. A cracking bird was the first Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Golden crowned Sparrow

On the return ferry ride we had good views of Longh-tailed ducks, RB Mergansers, two Cormorants, M Murrelet, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Rhino Auklets plus Bald Eagles plus GW Gulls.

Fox Sparrow

The return trip into [and out of Vancouver] involved some drama and our first Canadian verbal! It proved difficult to find the right hotel under the cover of darkness... And finally i got us there - to the wrong hotel! Who knew that there were two Super 8 hotels in the one town!? But all's well that ends well to coin a phrase.

Thursday 22 March - Vancouver to Vancouver - raining! We navigated from east of Vancouver Days Inn [Metro]. A really nice hotel quite well situated 'near' downtown.

Whistler picnic spot

Friday 23 March - A day drive to Whistler where my kids first experienced snow [and all it stands for]. Apparently it stands for non lethal violence. As i write I can honestly say that the kid's fascination with throwing snow and ice at each other has not yet totally subsided. The drive from 'sea to sky' is excellent and should not be missed. We finished the day with a quick visit to the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge. The walk was good and the kids enjoyed the rock-hopping.

Saturday 24 March - Some quick shoe shopping was followed by some tobogganning at Mt Seymour. Excellent fun despite the quite high temperatures which caused some of the ice and snow to be quite - well wet.

Lake reflections enroute to Kamloops

More Lake Reflections

Sunday 25 March - Return drive to Kamloops from Vancouver via Hope and then route 5A from Merritt. Had a quick lunch at Coquahalla Canyon however the tunnels were closed due to the chance of falling rocks. Here dippers were calling and flying around as they were in 2009. The drive to Kamloops revealed more signs of Spring; an active family of Least Chipmunks by a lake side, some Mountain Bluebirds. It also boasted a sign of winter; a cracking view of a Snowy Owl perched on a fence post on the last big hill before descending into the valley of Kamloops.

Monday 26 March - Drive to Nakusp via Vernon.