Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

It is true. There is nowhere I would rather be than on  shore watching the waves, listening to the lapping of the water against the land And the smell, there is nothing at all that smells like the sea. I amaze myself constantly by forgetting this truth and then rediscovering it when I happen on a beach.

Today I finally went to a place we heard about a month or so ago. Barnet Marine Park A stretch of land pinned between the inlet and a railway line where dogs could roam free. After turning into the wrong car park and doing a hasty reconnoitre of the map I finally reached the correct and empty car-park and unloaded Etta and camera. She was as excited as ever, trust me if we had a sled she could mush and pull me along no problem, she is so strong!

There's a bridge over the railway, complete with netting to stop any nosedives onto the tracks - not that either of us felt like taking one, then a graceful curved path down to the park. 650m to the offleash area but at once I wanted to snap snap snap. The area used to be a lumber/sawmill apparently and there are some ruined buildings that I didn't get shots of but will in the future. The water close to shore is dotted with tall wooden posts that make perfect surveying areas for the birds.

Gull on poles in the Burrard Inlet

Here's a gull thinks he is lord of all he surveys. More fool him, just round the bend was a heron and his courtiers and as we walked back I saw a huge black bird with a white head, am pretty sure was an eagle but didn't get there in time to shoot it before it soared on huge wings to the island across the water. next time my pretty, next time.

Great heron on the remnants of the sawmill at Barnet Marine Park on the Burrard Inlet

You can see the heron here, I don't think it is the same one from Como Lake following me, but one never knows... He moved down the shore while we were gone and was on a rock. maybe I am not paranoid after all. Let me just check my windows. behind him are two gulls awaiting his every command. He looks like a king in a deep and thick ermine collar.

Small boat heading upstream on the Burrard Inlet

The Burrard inlet is a busy waterway as you can see from this boat and the ship a little ways on. I was hoping these weren't pirates. I should warn you now I have a vivid and flighty imagination (in case you hadn't already noticed) so look forward to sorting the truth from the fancy.

We reached the offleash area with my arm still in its socket and Etta raced around. For a white dog she has an unfortunate love for mud and hatred for water. I strolled through with a lady and her two dogs chatting too much to take pictures but we parted ways just before the secret beach she told me was ahead. Walking dogs is so social, the people are -usually- so friendly and Etta is a dog who loves dogs.  She is never happier than when bouncing with a like-minded canine friend or three and never unhappier that when an owner denies her the social niceties and won't let them sniff - areas.

So we headed on alone and after wending through trees along a stony path and clambering down rocks. Yes I clambered believe it or not!! we reached a long stretch of gravelly beach that ended at a dock.

Our Siberian Husky on the secret beach at the offleash area in Barnet Marine Park

As you can see there was a huge container or tanker or some craft in the dock, I was amazed how huge it was to be truthful, seriously big. Etta loved the beach, she sniffed and dug and chewed shells and seaweed and explored and even paddled a little. I was happy because there was the sweet sound of waves and the scent of the sea.

Tiny creek rolling down to the Burrard Inlet

This stream bubbled down the side of the embankment and then flurried over stones to surge to the sea, making a pretty little water feature for Etta to splash through and me to stride over. We have no shortage of water in Vancouver during the winter and spring. It looks overcast and dull on my pics I think, much more so that it actually was in reality. It didn't rain at any rate!

As we started to head back I saw this boat speeding across towards me and had a slight moment of panic until they stopped and got out cages. I missed that shot as I was clambering back up to safety. 

Crabbers on the Burrard Inlet by Barnet Marine Park

I assumed they were crabbing or lobstering. There's plenty of dungeness crabs in these waters I read, maybe I shall go crabbing too one day, I certainly like lobster so crab should be delicious too. However, back to the men in the boat.

Crabbers on Burrard Inlet by Barnet Marine Park

Look closer, are they really dropping crab (or lobster) pots, or are they tying some poor innocent virgin to the post as a sacrifice to the local sea deity? Yes, exactly, inquiring minds need to know. I had noticed as we hit the clamber rocks a little christmas tree with offerings under it and beautiful spring flowers. When I first saw it I thought it was quirky but combined with the 'crabbers' perhaps it is more sinister than it appears at first glance.

Whimsical grotto left beneath a juvenile conifer at Barnet Marine Park

Joking aside, the crocus are so beautiful, there are some in my neighbour's garden and I was going to ask permission to take shots of them. Maybe I still will. Daffodils, crocus, snowdrops and bluebells - a sure sign that spring is almost here. Joy joy!

Back to our adventures. There are some small beaches along the shore where the dog can go, the big beaches near civilised picnic grounds and restrooms are dog free, and Etta had her first taste of swimming along them.

Our Siberian Husky on the beach at Barnet Marine Park

Here she gets the first scent of something - maybe a sea-wolf. Her nose fast to the ground she sniffs along the sand to trail her quarry.

Our Siberian Husky on the beach at Barnet Marine Park

 Rocks are no deterrent to her hunt, she will find what she seeks.

Our Siberian Husky on the beach at Barnet Marine Park

Our Siberian Husky on the beach at Barnet Marine Park

With a single bound she leaps every obstacle (providing her 6 month clumsiness doesn't interfere of course). What can she be seeking?




Aha the hunt is almost over.

Wild geese on the beach at Barnet Marine Park

She has seen and lusted after geese like this before whilst on her leash, but now she is free and they are in reach... or they were til they flapped and flew into the sea and she followed. Yes, she lunged and jumped in and straight back out. it's jolly wet in there you know? The geese lived to honk and swim another day and Etta was shiny white again - for a few minutes til we found more mud. Man how that dog loves mud.

An uneventful stroll back to the car except for the possible eagle sighting I mentioned above and this tug tugging.

Tug boat towing a larger ship upstream along the Burrard Inlet

It's all about determination, motivation and getting started. Who would believe that small boat could pull that huge ship? There's a lesson there for me for sure and maybe for you too.

You definitely can't if you don't even try.

Story over as two very tired females made their way home and collapsed for a nap. I shall definitely be visiting again and taking my accomplice so I am free to photograph more and get to grips with this camera.

Thanks for reading!

I hope you enjoyed our story - let me know.