Sandpipers

On the shores of Stuart Lake, Fort St. James, British Columbia
(912 km or approximately 567 miles from Vancouver, B.C.).

These photos were taken at the end of August. I wish I could properly identify this bird, and I am guessing it is either a juvenile Semipalmated, Western or Least Sandpiper.

(please click on images for better viewing)

Gulls

I was at the beach a couple of weeks ago
and watched this gull taking sips from the lake.

Sky Watch

(please click on picture to enlarge)The sky over Stuart Lake,

Fort St. James, British Columbia
160 km (99 miles) northwest
of Prince George

A Drive to the Beach

Yesterday was so warm and pleasant that, on the spur of the moment, we decided to go to the beach.

Our drive took us north on Highway 27 to Fort St. James, a former fur trading post at the southeast end of Stuart Lake. It has always been a favourite spot for camping and fishing, and we like to bring our visitors here to see the National Historic Park and lake. The highway itself has very little traffic on it. Our destination was Cottonwood Park. The lake and distant hills shimmered in the morning sun, and we couldn't take our eyes off the view before us. The gulls were entertaining, and all in all we had a very relaxing time.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
(pale eyes, yellow bill with black ring, yellowish legs, white spots on black primaries)

A stroll along the shore

An historic church overlooking Stuart Lake

I'm not sure what these crows were doing,
having a bath, getting a drink or just being crows

Cottonwood Trees lining the waterfront

Boats on the water
This large lake is 75 km (47 miles) long

Found: One bright red fishing float