Birdie Birdie, in the sky..

..dropped a turdy in my eye..I'm no baby, I won't cry! I'm just glad that cows don't fly! Okay..so I HAD to use the poem..it moved me! Last week I went on the hunt for trumpeter swans, and found many different types of birds that caught my camera and me by surprise! I put them on my blog so Gramma and Grampa Petrie could enjoy..so, G and G..I hope you love them!

As you know, I have always had an obsession with blue herons, thanks to the grandparents! My goal in life is to get the most amazing photo of a heron so I can enlarge the photo and frame it for them. One day, Gramma..one day! I saw this fellow hiding down by the canal near a park when I was driving. I think sometimes, I have my dad's eyes..he sees everything!

Dad says this is a Cormerant. I have never seen one before, but the yellow on the black caught my attention. So beautiful!

Here's what the heron did to me for an hour..I'd catch up to it, and it would fly away..I walked up and down that darn canal for an hour trying to get "the shot"! Oh well. I think the birds are smarter than me!
The last photo before the heron took off for good.Dad thinks that these are wood ducks. It's the reflection that caught my attention.Another reflection shot.
Here are those Cormerants again. Reflections make the most amazing photos even more amazing..Some trumpeter swans make their presence known. I hopped in my car and followed the "honks" and found a few hanging out with some mallards. As I opened my car door, they all started to fly, so I quickly took a few photos while still sitting in my car! I had to get this view!

Found some more interesting birds..and majestic as well! I do love bald eagles, and see them all the time, especially when I'm dragon boating. Always wishing I had my camera. This time I did.
Some more trumpeters coming in as the sun starts to set.I thought this was a hawk, but luckily, my very smart dad pointed out that it's actually a Golden Eagle..wow! There was actually 2 of them..one was right above my head, the other was this one, just across the pond.A little blurry, but I still like it! Must be another one of those Cormerants!The bald eagle with the sunset in the background. Nice way to end my adventure!

Choose your own adventure!

We made it to Stanely Park's 3rd Beach just as the sun was setting, and rushed down to the water for the view.

Of course we had to goof off too! I totally love this photo..and there was no editing to it! All fluke!

Josh shows us his stuff.

Stephen, future cheerleader!

Matt, hair model extraordinaire!Pretending to be "tourists"

The Lost LagoonDowntown Vancouver with the Lost Lagoon in the foreground.One of the swans that came over for a snack..
Too bad that the "snack" was a $20 bill that Stephen held tightly onto!Some more attempts and getting the swan to try and eat the bill..City scape with the swan in the foreground

Taking advantage of the sun..

Sunday's weather was +11 and gorgeous! So, I packed up the camera equipment and tripod, picked up Karen (my photog. assistant who worked for pop) and took in the sites of Ft. Langley!

We walked across the bridge from Ft. Langley to the campground on Brea Island (where you catch the Albion Ferry to Maple Ridge) and got a few shots off. This photo was taken from the bridge.

On the campground side, Karen decided to be my model on the canon
She had a little fun too..
Golden Ears as seen from across the river in Ft. LangleyMore mountain shots
I loved the look of this reflection More shots of Golden Ears
And again!Lots of Canada Geese were in the area (hundreds actually!) We must be where they fly south to! lol I thought it looked really neat with some of them all in a row with the reflection.

Home for the holidays..

I spent Riley's b'day and New Years in Devon this year, and had 10 days of photo ops! Hope you enjoy a VERY small snippet of my time!

Riley liked to wear Gramama's reading glasses..so cute!

Uncle Chad is like a walking wrestling mat..the boys LOVE it! And of course, Caleb and Mykah have fond memories of when they got to wrestle with Chad too..they sure miss him!
This is Riley's preview of his birthday cake..I think he liked it! It had construction equipment and roads..right up his alley! Riley got a time out on the "naughty step" so Gramama went and shared his punishment..hehe
Grammy dropped Uncle Chad's 2L of pop! What a mess!Kennedy looking as adorable as ever! I think that she's waving to her Great Aunts Wendy and Susie! We missed you!

Riley swept the sidewalk for his mommy and daddy.

Snow angels!Bad Auntie Krista encouraged the snow angels..with no snow pants..heheThe final results!

Being silly..Uncle Chad and the boys dancing to "It's Magic" by Pilot (from the Herbie soundtrack) I think they know all the words too!Me and the boys

Auntie Nicole with Sesame, Ben, Riley and KennedyMe and the kidsKennedy tried yams for the first time..and she LOVED them!

Time was also spent out at Tammy and Dallas' farm outside of Calmar. While Tammy dug into the laundry, and Dallas was emptying out a grain bin, Carson and I went outside for a bit!Dallas doing what he does best! That auger was REALLY loud!Dallas' grain bins..I think they are his new pride and joy..and I thought it made for a cool photo!
The farm at night..reminds me of the nativity scene or something.Looking east into the night sky.