The eagles are coming to Brankendale

In Brankendale, a neighbourhood of Squamish, along the Squamish River, The eagles come every year. In fact, it is one of the most significant areas of wintering bald eagles in North America. Last year almost 4000 eagles wintered here, feasting on runs of chum salmon in the Squamish, Cheakamus and Mamquam rivers, as do the hopeful human fishers on this day too.

The eagles start to arrive in mid-November, though their numbers peak from mid-December to mid-January.















It is beautiful here. People walk along the dyke, photographers are common, and everyone watches, and waits, for the eagles to appear. And they do.



A new show everyday.


Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

Garibaldi ~ a hike in the cold

It was windy in Squamish and about six degrees, though it felt much colder. We drove through Garibaldi Heights and through the campus of Quest University and up along what seemed to be an old logging road. The remaining colours of autumn were brilliant, the air increasingly cold and frosty.











Finally, having manoeuvred around most of the deep pot hole on the track, we parked and began our hike, me without gloves or toque of course. At leaving the car, the air temperature was minus two. The sky was clear and the sun was warm, when its light found the ground through the towering trees. Our path began as rock and turned to a rougher mix of rock and frozen mud.












Oddly, it seemed to me, there were few sounds of birds as we climbed the path. The sound of falling water was a constant and fellow hikers stopped to fill water bottles with icy, clean, mountain refreshment.





The first snow of the season appeared in places along our route.

The vistas, when finally we could see through a clearing in the trees, were incredible indeed.

It was time for coffee, and the hike back began.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

The amazing Broken Shed Caesar at the WaterShed in Squamish

It was a cold and windy day to watch for eagles along the river dyke in Brankendale and eventually, possibly even more quickly than eventually, our thoughts turned to lunch, warm surroundings, and ...

We discovered  The WaterShed Bar & Grill along the dyke and it provided excellent views of the Squamish River, the potential of eagle sightings and some interesting food selections, including some wonderful burgers made from Pemberton beef.




But first. I enjoy a nice Caesar and noticed one on the menu called a Broken Shed Caesar. Our friendly wait person informed me that the vodka was from Broken Shed Vodka in New Zealand of all places and its vodka is made from whey. "Make that a double" I replied. "It is a double sir and it comes with the works." Hmm... what does that mean I wondered. "Even better," I said confidently. How bad could this whey vodka thing with the works be; it's still a Canadian Caesar after all.

Sherry's hot chocolate appeared moments later with a smiling comment to me , "Your Caesar takes a bit longer."




The wait, and it wasn't long, was worth it.



Full of flavour and spice, an interesting and smooth vodka and almost a meal in itself, including the mini cheese burger. Two or three of these things and I won't need to order lunch. A taxi maybe.














 
Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2014 by Jim Murray.