We spent some very relaxing hours at Whytecliff Park today – and we saw so many animals!
There was this little jewel beetle that landed on Marcus’s pants.
Then we saw all the busy bees and bumblebees, watched cormorants, crows, spotted towhees, white-crowned sparrows, crows, a blue heron, bald eagles, harbour seals…
We never had a dull moment.
Nature also showed us some gorgeous clouds, strong waves, and a beautiful sunset.
Stunning clouds at Whytecliff Park
Looking out at the sea at almost sea level at Whytecliff Park
Beautiful waves at Whytecliff Park
A bee at Whytecliff Park
A jewel beetle at Whytecliff Park
A spotted towhee at Whytecliff Park
A crow picking berries at Whytecliff Park
A bald eagle sitting on the usual segull spot at Whytecliff Park
A bald eagle flying by at Whytecliff Park
A blue heron observing the water at Whytecliff Park
A cormorant at Whytecliff Park
A harbour seal at Whytecliff Park
Sunset over ‘porpoise mountain’ at Whytecliff Park
We had another lovely afternoon and evening at Whytecliff Park where we are always amazed at how much wildlife there is to see – small and large birds from hummingbirds, sparrows, herons to bald eagles, as well as small and larger marine animals from harbour seals, harbour porpoises to sea lions.
Beautiful wild flowers at Whytecliff Park
A white-crowned sparrow came to visit us at Whytecliff Park
A bald eagle was sitting up high in the tree at Whytecliff Park
A blue heron waiting to catch some prey at Whytecliff Park
A sea lion swimming by at Whytecliff Park
A beautiful harbour porpoise at Whytecliff Park
A harbour porpoise foraging at Whytecliff Park
And there were two harbour porpoises at Whytecliff Park
In the late afternoon we went to Whytecliff Park, our new favourite location to spot harbour porpoises. We invited some friends to come along in the hope to show them some harbour porpoises in the wild.
After some waiting we finally spotted some dorsal fins – but these looked different.
And yes, we saw three Pacific white-sided dolphins swimming by and foraging.
This was the first time we had seen dolphins in that area. Wow!
As a special treat, a single harbour porpoise came swimming along some time later as well which was pretty amazing.
We all had a fantastic time and will come back to spot more porpoises – hopefully.
Two Pacific white-sided dolphins at Whytecliff Park
Two Pacific white-sided dolphins spotted from Whytecliff Park
A Pacific white-sided dolphin swimming along Whytecliff Park
A harbour porpoise spotted from Whytecliff Park
A harbour porpoise at Whytecliff Park
A blue heron flying along Whytecliff Park’s cliffs
View from Whytecliff Park
An evening view from Whytecliff Park
The sun has set behind Bowen Island as seen from Whytecliff Park
Together with my in-laws we went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park where we were greeted with a beautiful pumpkin display.
We then headed over to Kia’palano with its amazing totem poles.
Well, then it was time to walk across the long suspension bridge – and the view from the bridge was so worth it!
And don’t forget the Cliffwalk and the Treetop Adventure which were amazing.
On our little breaks admiring the beautiful rain forest (have I mentioned how much I love the moss covered tress?), we saw a few Douglas squirrels scouting for food and nibbling on some fruit.
Well, there was this one little squirrel nibbling on one of the French fries – not a very healthy choice though.
All in all, we had a really lovely afternoon!
Welcome to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A lovely pumpkin display at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Kia’Palano at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A totem pole at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Beautiful totem poles at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
More amazing totem poles at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Looking through one of the totem poles at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Look how long the Suspension Bridge is – at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Both Cliffwalk and Suspension Bridge at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The impressive Cliffwalk at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
One of the lookout places on the Cliffwalk at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Standing on this amazing (see-through) Cliffwalk’s lookout place at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A beautiful little waterfall at the end of the Cliffwalk at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
What an amazing flower at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A blue heron at one of the ponds in the Living Forest area at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A curious Douglas squirrel ready to jump near the Treetop Adventure at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A Douglas squirrel looking at us near the Treetop Adventure at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A Douglas squirrel featching some leftover food at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A rather cloudy day was forecast today – no beach weather really – and so we headed towards North Vancouver to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
Of course, we wanted to experience everything there: the Capilano Bridge itself and the Treetops Adventure (which we already knew from previous visits) and the Cliffwalk (which was new for us). And that was exactly what we did – well, not in that order, as we had to start with the Cliffwalk which was pretty amazing!
But we also enjoyed the suspension bridge itself, the Treetops Adventure and the Nature’s Edge boardwalk – I love boardwalks!
As a special bonus, we saw a blue heron standing at one of the little lakes. So beautiful!
We definitely had a magnificent day!
Kia’palano – Totem poles at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Kia’palano – Totem poles at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Looking down towards the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Part of the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
View of the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Walking along the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
View from the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A waterfall at the end of the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
At the end of the Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The way down from the Cliffwalk to the Capilano Suspension Bridge
Walking downhill from the Cliffwalk towards the Capilano Suspension Bridge
View of the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Cliffwalk
View from the middle of the Capilano Suspension Bridge
The entrance to the Treetops Adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The Treetops Adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The exit of the Treetops Adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A blue heron at one of the lakes at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A close-up of a blue heron at one of the lakes at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
A blue heron at one of the lakes at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – looking at us
Nature’s Edge boardwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Nature’s Edge boardwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
When we were walking around Lost Lagoon, we saw a lot of wildlife.
There were squirrels, a red-winged blackbird, a towhee, wood ducks and mallards, mute swans, seagulls, blue herons, Canada geese and their goslings – and a beaver. Never before had we seen a beaver at Lost Lagoon, so that was really exciting. At first we only saw a branch in the water, but it was moving on its own; so that could not be happening, right – and then we saw the beaver dragging the branch along. Amazing, eh?
We had a fantastic evening stroll around Lost Lagoon, and we should definitely spend more time there…
At Vancouver’s Lost Lagoon
Looking from one bridge to another at Lost Lagoon
A male wood duck at Lost Lagoon
A close-up of a single yellow flower at Lost Lagoon
A close-up of a female mallard at Lost Lagoon
A male mallard at Lost Lagoon
A towhee at Lost Lagoon
A black squirrel at Lost Lagoon
An extended family? A squirrel among wood ducks and mallard at Lost Lagoon.
Odd one out? A mallard and two Canada geese at Lost Lagoon
A close-up of a Canada goose at Lost Lagoon
Another male mallard at Lost Lagoon
View of Lost Lagoon and its fountain
A beaver swimming across Lost Lagoon
A beaver swimming towards its lodge at Lost Lagoon
A blue heron at Lost Lagoon
Another blue heron at Lost Lagoon
Another view of Lost Lagoon
Another view of Lost Lagoon and its fountain
View of Lost Lagoon in the evening sun
View of Lost Lagoon, its fountaind and wildlife in the evening sun
View of Lost Lagoon and its fountain in the setting sun
View of Lost Lagoon in the setting sun
Another view of Lost Lagoon and its fountain in the setting sun
View of Lost Lagoon and one of its many benches in the setting sun
A mute swan swimming on Lost Lagoon
Stanley Park’s hike and bike paths at Lost Lagoon
Canada geese and their 21 (!!) goslings at Lost Lagoon, the fountain and seagulls in the background
Cute goslings at Lost Lagoon – seagulls in the background
Together with our boys we visited Canada Place to experience FlyOver Canada – and what an experience it was! FlyOver China was pretty amazing, but FlyOver Canada was breathtakingly beautiful. The flying part definitely felt real.
From there we went to the Vancouver Lookout to have an amazing view of Greater Vancouver.
After that we strolled along Vancouver’s waterfront until we came to Stanley Park where we saw a blue heron wading in the water, and later a squirrel nibbling on something to eat.
We were quite hungry, too, although we had a nice snack and a cool drink in between, so we made our way home to get something delicious for dinner.
A seagull on an ocean adventure?
The Canadian Trail at the Vancouver Convention Centre at Canada Place
The FlyOver Canada sign, West Vancouver and North Vancouver with Lions Gate Bridge in the background
View from the Vancouver Convention Centre
Another view from the Vancouver Convention Centre
View of the SeaBus from the Vancouver Convention Centre
View of downtown from the Vancouver Convention Centre
View of the Vancouver Lookout from the Vancouver Convention Centre
View of Vancouver and its stadium from the Vancouver Lookout
View of Vancouver’s port, heliport and railway from the Vancouver Lookout
View of the SeaBus from the Vancouver Lookout
View of the Vancouver Convention Centre from the Vancouver Lookout; North Vancouver in the background
View of Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge and West Vancouver from the Vancouver Lookout
Walking down towards the waterfront, Stanley Park in the background; impressive clouds above
After having said goodbye to my in-laws, Marcus and I headed towards Stanley Park’s seawall to take some pictures of Lions Gate Bridge in the setting sun.
While waiting for that to happen, we observed several seagulls and a even duck. A bit later a blue heron came by, too, sat on the seawall, and kept us company.
As is became colder and colder, we just kept walking along the seawall, and took some pictures of the girl in a wetsuit statue – with and without the additional seagull on top of it -, and the empress of japan figurehead while watching the sun set. The houses in North Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge had some stunning reflections of the setting sun.
We even waited until it became a bit darker to have an early night picture of Lions Gate Bridge.
I love the bridge day and night, and I try to drive across it whenever possible. It looks especially lovely with its LED lights on.
Anyway, after having spent quite a while at Stanley Park’s seawall, we headed home – via Lions Gate Bridge! – to have a nice hot cup of tea.
View of Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park
Part of Lions Gate Bridge in the setting sunlight
Autumn leaves in Stanley Park
A seagull at Stanley Park’s seafront
Another seagull at Stanley Park’s seafront
Two seagulls ready to fly at Stanley Park’s seafront
Another view of Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park
Lions Gate Bridge’s pillars in the sunlight
And yet another seagull at Stanley Park’s seafront
And one more of the many seagulls at Stanley Park’s seafront
A duck at Stanley Park’s seafront
A seagull swimming in the beautifully sun-coloured water at Stanley Park’s seafront
Lions Gate Bridge in the setting sunlight
View of North Vancouver from Stanley Park’s seawall
Girl in a wetsuit with North Vancouver in the background
Girl in a wetsuit and seagull; in the background the setting sun in North Vancouver
A close-up of the girl in a wetsuit statue, inkluding the optional seagull
Lions Gate Bridge with the empress of Japan figurehead in the foreground
The empress of Japan figurehead, and the Lions Gate Bridge in the background
View of Lions Gate Bridge in the setting sun – with a seagull in the foreground
Bridge Pillars of Lions Gate Bridge gleaming in the sun
Lions Gate Bridge at sunset
Lions Gate Bridge’s pillars illuminated by the setting sunlight
Sunset in Stanley Park; North Vancouver in the background
The last beams of sunlight in North Vancouver; girl in a wetsuit statue in the foreground
A blue heron at Stanley Park’s seawall
A close-up of a blue heron at Stanley Park’s seawall
A blue heron flying away at Stanley Park’s seawall
Lions Gate Bridge getting ready for the night
Lions Gate Bridge and Gracie’s necklace
Lions Gate Bridge and its reflection at night
Lions Gate Bridge at night with brightly shining LED lights – Gracie’s necklace