Sloughs: Horseshoe , Gunderson and Finn

We've been visiting brown-water sites. And taking dozens of fuzzy photos of birds.

It all started out when we decided to go to Garry Point Park, at the tip of Lulu Island, where the river meets Georgia Strait. I suggested a slower route, along the south dyke, out of the traffic.

We never got to Garry Point.

First unplanned stop, Horseshoe Slough. It's not on the map, but there was a parking spot, a sign and a trail into a small park.
The water in the slough is a rich, chocolaty brown. I am not sure if this is its natural colour (it matches the mud) or whether it is polluted. But it made for interesting photos, which I will post in a day or two (they're from Laurie's film camera).

And I followed a rabbit back to the parking lot, managed one shot before he disappeared under the salmonberry and elder brush.
We drove on. And had to stop again, when we saw a ring-necked pheasant just across a ditch and fence. She stood there while Laurie dug the camera out, then sat down, leaving just her head and neck visible. I think she must have had a nest there in the tall grass; at any rate, she sat still until Laurie opened the car door. Then she got up, looked our way and flew off.

I memorized the spot: we'll be back.

On to Garry Point! Passing Finn Slough, which I had heard about, but could not find on the map. A wonderful historic site, with a fascinating story, and the subject of an annual photography contest. But it was late, and we wanted tea. Finn Slough will have to wait for another day. Soon. So will Garry Point; we got hung up in Steveston Village over tea and second-hand books.

And yesterday we started out again, and ended up in Gunderson Slough. Last time we were there, it was December, rainy and cold. It was beautiful, in spite of the greyness of the weather; we wanted to see what it is like in the spring. Weeds and brown water. Boats, ramshackle buildings, grubby workshops and docks, rotting machinery, stacks of lumber. And birds! Violet-green swallows, house finches, seagulls and crows, a hairy woodpecker pounding away in the bush, robins, great blue herons. And a stand of cat-tails where red-winged blackbirds proclaim ownership.
Feeding on the cattail fluff.Switching perches.

On a log boom, a heron was finding plenty of goodies. As we watched, he plucked something off these logs every few steps; some sort of large insect, probably. Maybe wasps.

More photos tomorrow, and a bit of history.