Saturday, May 22, 2010

Back Alley Yaletown Vancouver IR May 08 2010_DSC1992

Vancouver is not all 21st century with its back alleys reflecting the 20th and 21st century duality of the city. In fact, given that on June 13 1886 what was then Vancouver (1,000 or so wood houses) burned to the ground in 45 minutes (nearly 30 people were killed) the city is pretty much as new as they get in Canada. Ironically Vancouver's first fire department was formed 2 weeks before the great fire.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Pacific and Drake Vancouver IR 02 May 08 2010_DSC1974

A hard-fought-for victory for the city of Vancouver, thanks to decades of careful but firm city planning, is that we don't have a big, ugly 10 lane mega-highway cutting through the center of the city. As a result the downtown core has grown into one with a residential rather than a business focus. Very much a forest of glass and steel growing alongside a forest of 1 to 100 year old trees. Thus the reason Vancouver’s downtown core, from more than one angle looks like a model 21st century city.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Iron Wood Ocean Vancouver Seawall 02 May 18 2010 DSCN0439

Each time I'm out with a camera on the Seawall Walk that circles downtown Vancouver I'm drawn to the weather worn seawall itself. A collection of concrete, wood and iron that has kept speed walkers like me truckin' without interruption for years.

Beach Crescent and Richards St IR May 08 2010_DSC1926

A nice Infra Red treatment of the condos on the north edge of George Wainborn Park (corner of Beach Cres. and Richards St) in downtown Vancouver on May 8, 2010.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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The April 2010 Rhododendron Park bloom in Stanley Park Vancouver Canada. Part 6 of 6.

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

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The April 2010 Rhododendron Park bloom in Stanley Park Vancouver Canada. Part 4 of 6

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Monday, May 10, 2010

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The April 2010 Rhododendron Park bloom in Stanley Park Vancouver Canada. Part 4 of 6

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Sunday, May 09, 2010

Vancouver Sun Run 02 May 09 2010

Here's a 1 minute view of the center span of the Burrard Street Bridge in Vancouver as some of the 50,000+ marathon participants exit downtown Vancouver.

Vancouver Sun Run 01 May 09 2010

A 1 minute video of the Vancouver Sun Run participants at the intersection of Beach Ave and Pacific Blvd in Vancouver's West End. Taken at 9:51 AM Sunday, May 9 2010.

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The April 2010 bloom of the Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden in Stanley Park Vancouver.

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Saturday, May 08, 2010

Lancaster Crew Photo Front 300dpi Retouched 03

My maternal grandfather's Lancaster Crew who were shot down the night of February 24, 1944.

From left to right Doug Eastham (KIA, my grandfather), Shorty Kay (KIA), Scotty Jackson (POW), Jack Rudford (POW) and Bob Freiberger (POW).

Part of the Pathfinders Bison Squadron #405.

04 Stanley Park Rhododendron April 2010_DSC1081

The Ted & Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden in Stanley Park Vancouver blooms from March to June. The park has done a great job of providing detailed information on the various species of flowers, when they bloom and where they are over the Internet. At this link, Stanley Park Vancouver Rhododendron Park you'll find tons of info on the flowers along with recommended walks for each of the blooming months.

A highly recommended way to enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the downtown core of one of Canada's most beautiful cities. Don't forget to bring your camera. :)

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Friday, May 07, 2010

01 Stanley Park Rhododendron April 2010_DSC1107

During the late 1960’s, the Vancouver Park Board was the grateful recipient of an extensive collection of hybrid rhododendron and azalea plants. This stunning collection, which still blooms in the park in a spectacular show of color, form and fragrance 50 years later, came from the Royston nursery on Vancouver Island belonging to Mary and Ted Greig.

This collection of photographs was taken during the April 2010 bloom and is dedicated to mothers everywhere.

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