Archive for the ‘Photography’ Category

Day 247 – Ironworkers Memorial Bridge

September 4th, 2010, posted in 365 Challenge, Boating, Photography

Day 247 - Ironworkers Memorial Bridge

247/365 (September 4, 2010) – Originally named the Second Narrows Bridge, it spans the second set of narrows between the North Shore and Vancouver. To the east is the original Second Narrows Bridge, which is now strictly a train bridge. On the water, the Ironworkers Memorial is the gateway between the busy Vancouver Harbour and Indian Arm, a popular boating ground.

On June 17, 1958, as a crane stretched from the north side of the new bridge to join the two chords of the unfinished arch, several spans collapsed. Seventy-nine workers plunged 30 metres (100 ft) into the water. Eighteen were killed either instantly or shortly thereafter, possibly drowned by their heavy tool belts. A diver searching for bodies drowned later, bringing the total fatalities for the collapse to 19. In a subsequent Royal Commission inquiry, the bridge collapse was attributed to miscalculation by bridge engineers. A temporary arm, holding the fifth anchor span, was deemed too light to bear the weight. The bridge was renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in 1994 to honour the 19 workers who died in the collapse, along with four others who also died during the construction process. – Wikipedia

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this city?

Heading In

Day 246 – Stay Safe!

September 3rd, 2010, posted in 365 Challenge, Photography, Riding

Day 246 - Stay Safe!

246/365 (September 3, 2010) – This is my little rubber chicken, he was originally a purchase for a photo, a funny little toy I picked up for a couple of dollars at the pet store.

But when I got the bike, he just seemed perfect to stuff down in front of the gauges. Whenever I glance down at the speedometer he is staring up at me with that terrified expression on his face and reminds me to be safe ;-)

Day 245 – Into the Darkness

September 2nd, 2010, posted in 365 Challenge, Photography

Day 245 - Into the Darkness

245/365 (September 2, 2010) – Gorgeous day today, put about 125 km on the motorcycle before a nice dinner out and a couple of hours down at the club helping Kirk work on an audio visual system for the clubhouse. Realized I had taken no photo yet today, and this is what the result was.

Wooden stairs, darkness, and a pair of dirty old flip flops.

What more do you need to dream up a photo op?

Day 244 – Butt Out!

September 1st, 2010, posted in 365 Challenge, Photography, The Environment

Day 233 - Butt Out!

244/365 (September 1, 2010) – I’m sorry to any of my Flickr friends out there who smoke…I hate it. It’s a disgusting habit that I just can’t stand. It was always horrible eating out or going to a pub and smelling smoke, but it was always worse whenever out for a walk, at the beach….basically anywhere that I expected fresh air. And as of today, I’m just that little bit happier living in Vancouver.

From CBC News


Smoking is now banned on all properties and in all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver Park Board.

A bylaw came into effect Wednesday prohibiting smoking at public parks, playgrounds, parking lots, beaches, and the three golf courses owned by the city.

The bylaw specifically prohibits smoking cigarettes, pipes, cigars and marijuana smoking devices called bongs.

The measure was passed unanimously by the board’s seven commissioners in April.

It won’t be easy to make people change their ways, said board chair Aaron Jasper.

“We realize this is going to be a challenge, especially for our friends and relatives that are smokers,” said Jasper. “But we are also hopeful that this might be an extra incentive for them to quit the habit and realize they are putting their friends and neighbours in harm’s way.”

Park rangers, city bylaw officers and health inspectors all have authority to hand out $250 tickets for violations of the new bylaw, said Jasper.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has gone on record as opposing the ban, regarding it as an infringement of personal liberties and saying it will be difficult to enforce.

Vancouver joins American cities like Chicago and Los Angeles and several smaller municipalities in B.C. that have banned smoking at their parks and beaches.

Happy Dance!!

Day 243 – Some Much Needed Moisture

August 31st, 2010, posted in 365 Challenge, Photography, The Environment

Day 243 - Some Much Needed Moisture

243/365 (August 31, 2010) – We have had barely any precipitation since June, so this is a welcome visit from the weather gods. Puts a crimp on riding the motorcycles, but the forests will get a bit of a drink for a change.

At the end of the day, August 31st was the wettest day in August….on record.

From the Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER – Vancouver recorded its rainiest day in more than five-and-a-half years — and the rainiest August day ever — on Tuesday.

The city’s main climate station, located at Vancouver International Airport, recorded 52.9 millimetres of rain by 4 p.m., according to Environment Canada meteorologist John McIntyre. It was certain to beat the previous daily record of 56.6 mm, set on Jan. 17, 2005, he said.

The previous rainiest August was on Aug. 30, 1991, when 39.4 mm of rain showered the city, said Global TV meteorologist Mark Madryga.

The YVR climate station dates back to 1937.

The average precipitation for all of August is 39.1 mm, slightly below the July average of 39.6. November, with an average of 178.5 mm of rain and 2.5 mm of snow, is our wettest month….usually