Anne Murray

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BY THE BAY: Celebrate heritage by looking beneath the surface

The theme of Heritage Week in B.C. is ‘Heritage Afloat'

South Surrey’s Blackie Spit is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.

BY THE BAY: Peninsula mud flats are important habitats

Lower Mainland marshes are home to various forms of wildlife

South Surrey’s Blackie Spit is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.
A sharp boundary appears as sediment-laden freshwater is discharged from the Fraser River into the Salish Sea. Fresh water, which is less dense than salt water, spreads in a shallow (approximately one-metre-deep) plume at the sea surface. Sediment carried in this plume then precipitates from the surface, accumulating on the Fraser River Delta below. In spring, as snow melts in the mountains, the fresh water flow increases significantly and great quantities of sediment are deposited.

BY THE BAY: A look at the Fraser River plume

As the river water flows into the salty waters of the Georgia Strait, it forms an unusual ecosystem: the Fraser river plume.

A sharp boundary appears as sediment-laden freshwater is discharged from the Fraser River into the Salish Sea. Fresh water, which is less dense than salt water, spreads in a shallow (approximately one-metre-deep) plume at the sea surface. Sediment carried in this plume then precipitates from the surface, accumulating on the Fraser River Delta below. In spring, as snow melts in the mountains, the fresh water flow increases significantly and great quantities of sediment are deposited.
Early morning is a good time to spot migrating birds, when they make landfall to rest and regain their energy.

BY THE BAY: Birds around the globe are on the move

Some species travelling up to 30,000 kilometres world wide

Early morning is a good time to spot migrating birds, when they make landfall to rest and regain their energy.
Breeding season has begun for great blue herons, a common sight around the Semiahmoo Peninsula.

BY THE BAY: Breeding season for herons

Great blue herons' bills turn bright orange and they build stick nests crazily high up this time of year.

Breeding season has begun for great blue herons, a common sight around the Semiahmoo Peninsula.
The salt marshes of Boundary Bay are filled with all manner of wildlife, above and below the water.

BY THE BAY: Boundary Bay’s salt marshes overlooked

Boundary Bay eco-system is full of life, but often an afterthought, writes PAN columnist Anne Murray

The salt marshes of Boundary Bay are filled with all manner of wildlife, above and below the water.
A downy woodpecker feeds.

BY THE BAY: Winter care for feathered friends

With care, you can have a garden full of birds to watch all winter.

A downy woodpecker feeds.
Mount Baker is one of a string of stratovolcanes that include Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier.

BY THE BAY – Land of fire and ice

The 3,286-m peak of Mount Baker is an active volcano that formed when eruptions disgorged flows of andesitic lava.

Mount Baker is one of a string of stratovolcanes that include Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier.
A whimbrel prepares to take flight.

BY THE BAY: Life-cycle approach to bird-migration science

Conservation efforts must be made for declining populations

A whimbrel prepares to take flight.
Heritage trees, like the ones at Elgin Park, are an important part of B.C.

Province’s heritage trees worth protecting

B.C.'s trees are at risk of being cut down for development.

Heritage trees, like the ones at Elgin Park, are an important part of B.C.

BY THE BAY: Birdlife is our responsibility

The Semiahmoo Peninsula is home to a slew of bird species.

Humpback whales can be seen in the waters of the Georgia Strait.

BY THE BAY: Whales on the move this month

April is migration month and wildlife – especially whales – are on the move, says PAN columnist Anne Murray.

Humpback whales can be seen in the waters of the Georgia Strait.
The importance of light and darkness in nature

The importance of light and darkness in nature

Changes of the seasons tied with Earth's turn on its axis.

The importance of light and darkness in nature
A snowy owl soars through the sky.

Winter visitors arriving in Lower Mainland

Winter is fast approaching and with the seasonal change come some new visitors from the north.

A snowy owl soars through the sky.
Some flocks contains thousands of birds.

Birds: When thousands move as one

Large flocks can be a marvellous site, similar to that seen in schooling fish.

Some flocks contains thousands of birds.
A flock of birds in Boundary Bay.

Admiring area’s feathered flocks in flight

Semiahmoo Peninsula home to birds both big and small

A flock of birds in Boundary Bay.
There is plenty to see – from wildlife to landscapes – during a walk through Blackie Spit Park.

A slow summer walk at Blackie Spit Park

If you go too fast, it is easy to overlook the abundance of interesting plants, birds and other wildlife found in local parks. Blackie Spit at Crescent Beach, South Surrey, is a great place for summer idling.

There is plenty to see – from wildlife to landscapes – during a walk through Blackie Spit Park.
Black cottonwood trees are important habitats for many types of insects, as well as nesting birds.

Black Cottonwoods are trees for all seasons

The black cottonwood is a tree that inspires strong sentiments: love it or hate it.

Black cottonwood trees are important habitats for many types of insects, as well as nesting birds.
The lazuli bunting sings the blues

The lazuli bunting sings the blues

Small songbird frequents Boundary Bay.

The lazuli bunting sings the blues
A Lazuli Bunting is one of the province’s most colourful birds.

The bright colours of nature

Beginning this week, Peace Arch News will publish the first of two…

A Lazuli Bunting is one of the province’s most colourful birds.