MAY DAY PARADE - 2009

It was a beautiful day for a parade and the participants from Hyde Creek marched down the main street in Port Coquitlam handing out items as well as getting the message out that everyone should be careful with what they pour down storm drains.

We start the day with breakfast at the Elks Club.

OPEN HOUSE - 2009

The Hyde Creek Open House for 2009 was another successful event as the images below will show. We had many people visit from the Pitch in for PoCo Pride event as well.

2008 Salmon Festival

These are the images of the 9th Hyde Creek Salmon Festival. The numbers of visitors were even greater this year than last year. We estimate that about 6,000 attended.

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Play video to view inside of Gymnasium.

Play video to see outside scene.

November 2008 - Coho Catch

There seems to be more Coho in the creek than usual and we were in there to get some big ones for the egg takes.

Click on some images to enlarge them.

URBAN BEAVERS

In a recent post I suggested where you might find a family of four Barred Owls in the little forest at Hyde Creek. They are there virtually every evening at dusk. In this posting I can show you where you can see a family of beavers every evening at dusk as well. These urban beavers live in Lafarge Lake at Coquitlam's Town Centre Park. Every evening a couple of very young beavers leave their family den at the edge of the lake and do the circuit of the lake munching on greenery just below the surface. These little ones have replaced two older and bigger siblings that did the same thing as this young beavers did until a few weeks ago. Where they went and where the parents are we do not know.




View of the lake a dusk with the den outlined on the lower right and a beaver swimming in the
distance. These beavers are quite used to people and their pets. The den is located on the southwest corner of the lake just off the trail.


Here is a young beaver with a skinny little tail munching of plants growing in the lake.

They circle the lake most of the time just swimming under the fishermen's lines to the next patch of underwater plants. They also like to nibble on the bark of some small trees.

Play this video of the little beaver having a snack.

There have been many big trees brought down by beavers near the lake over the past few years. No one knows how they got here but we are fortunate to see them in the city.

HYDE CREEK HOOTERS

In the little forest that straddles Hyde Creek, just down the trail from our Hatchery, live a family of four Barred Owls. What makes these owls special to us is the fact that they augment their diet with fish from the creek. Yes, these are fishing owls! Darin McClain saw one sit on a branch and then swoop down to pick up a fingerling salmon. I saw four sitting over the creek as well. Below are some photos and a short video that shows them communicating with one another. They have an unusual raspy whistle sound. I hope to have more images in the future.

THE UGLY BUG BALL - June 28, 2008

This third edition of the Ugly Bug Ball was another 5 star event for Streamkeepers from around the Lower mainland and beyond. The invitation, below, was sent out to every group.

The theme revolves around art and how each group uses it to showcase their projects.

Art is such a personal thing for everyone. Some art has no message.

Of course, art can also have a message as well!

Streamkeepers started arriving in the afternoon to A Rocha Field Studies & Ecology Centre in Surrey and many had their art in hand.

A Rocha is a wonderful place for this event as it has open fields.

It has pleasent walkways around a little pond.

It was a green shady area on a hot sunny day.

Scattered about the lake were little cabins for guests to stay at.

The main building was near the gardens.

Streamkeepers could venture out in the fields to see the operation of the farm.

There were numerous green houses.

It was cool in the barn as well.

We have had plenty of fun in the barn in past years with dancing and karaoke.

T-Shirt designs are an art form too, I think.

The grassy area was where many showed off their art work.

One artist carved the most incredible figures of wildlife.

This carved duck was breathtaking in its detail. The artist can make copies to order and that is even more incredible!

Hyde Creek had a large contingent onsite.

Hyde Creek were rather proud of their monogrammed Beer Steins. Hey, that's art too!

Maple Creek made a display of edible art. It was very popular.

Scott hung a fine quilt on the wall.

There was action at the entrance.

Everyone was invited to try their hand at paper plane flying into the opening.

Each person had a distinctive technique.

Some people did't let a little red tape bother them.

The group was brought together for important notices.

There was a little history of the Stream of Dreams group.

Time for a thankyou piece of cake.

Mmm, that was good cake. Now it is time for formal photos. Everyone smile on cue.

Most of the Hyde Creek group got their photo with their formal fish ties on.

Zo Ann showed off art work she was high bidder on at the Silent Auction.

Everyone enjoyed a fine dinner in good company.

There was a marzipan lady bug on the last of the Maple Creek display.

There was a toast to the hosts and several toasts followed that.

In the late evening we all had a Whine Session where we got things off our minds.

Jack White volunteered to try to get streamkeeper groups together to see if we can double the number of 'Salmon in the Classroom' teachers in the future. Will your group send a rep when called on?

It was a good Whine Session. Later, those who stayed on retired to the barn for some Nintendo action games.

We rounded out the day with a fire and created S'mores snacks with marshmellows.