Hiking Mount Harvey
Interactive 3D map of the hike via Relive also available
I completed this hike on October 7, 2020 but didn't post until Feb 2022. I guess I'm a little behind in my site updates. Mount Harvey sits between The Lions and Brunswick Mountain and is a significant peak close to Vancouver. I have been up all three peaks and they are all worth climbing for the stellar views and the challenge. In this post I'll cover part of the route and show some images from the summit No hardcore scrambles but there are technical sections, good boots and decent fitness are necessary. The profile is shown below, with grades in excess of 30% it will give even experience hikers a challenge.
I knew I wanted to hike Harvey when I saw it from the top of Brunswick, seen here (below) looming over the valley.
Harvey, Brunswick, and the Lions can all be accessed via the same trail starting at the end of Sunset Drive in Lions Bay. Parking is limited, get there early and make sure you pay or you will get a ticket. The trail to Brunswick peels off first (to the left), but stay on the trail marked for The Lions/Harvey.
It starts fairly easy, a nice wide trail through the forest.
After a while you will find another set of signs, but these are not as well marked and the trail for Harvey is not that obvious (quality of the photos isn't great either, sorry). Here, the big trail carries on to the right and will take you to the Lions but to the left (and up) you start your climb of Mt. Harvey.
The next while is a fairly steep slog though the forest following what is, at times, a poorly marked trail.
You eventually come out of the timber, trees give way to a meadow.
Views are spectacular, despite still needing to cover some vertical to reach the summit. You get a good view of The Lions, and the peaks beyond.
The summit is spectacular, definitely worth the climb.
A view of Brunswick Mountain, the tallest peak in the region. This angle makes it look relatively tame but the summit is amazing.
A few more images from the summit. It was such a nice day, I didn't want to come back down.
One more shot as I started my descent. The hike took 8 hours start to finish, with at least an hour on the summit to refuel and enjoy the panoramic views.
East Van Visitor
![Comet Neowise - C/2020 F3 [50mm, f/2, 10s, ISO800]](https://photo.photokaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-07-14-Neowise-Comet-MKH-12853-uai-258x169.jpg "Comet NEOWISE in Vancouver 3")
Comet NEOWISE in Vancouver
We have a surprise celestial visitor right now, comet NEOWISE (named after the observatory that discovered it: Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer). The comet's visit is fleeting, it will be gone by the end of July and not return to earth for 6800 years! If you want to catch a glimpse, find a dark area and look north just over the horizon after sunset. It's faint but visible to the naked eye, and easily viewable with binoculars. Here are a few shots from West Vancouver taken on July 13th.
My first few shots were with my longest telephoto lens, a 500mm. Not that easy to find and frame at this focal length but I did manage to get some shots of the comet with it's long tail (click for larger).
![Comet Neowise - C/2020 F3 [500mm, f/5.6, 2.5s, ISO6400]](https://photo.photokaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-07-14-Neowise-Comet-MKH-12833.jpg)
A more expansive view, showing some of the landscape and what could be some aurora. I think I even managed to catch a small meteor in the shot.
![Comet Neowise - C/2020 F3 [50mm, f/1.8, 10s, ISO400]](https://photo.photokaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-07-14-Neowise-Comet-MKH-12869_1.jpg)
The comet with a passing ferry.
![Comet Neowise - C/2020 F3 [50mm, f/2, 10s, ISO800]](https://photo.photokaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-07-14-Neowise-Comet-MKH-12853.jpg)
Wider still, with the big dipper and most of the little dipper in the frame.
![Comet Neowise - C/2020 F3 [15mm, f/4, 10s, ISO1600]](https://photo.photokaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-07-14-Neowise-Comet-MKH-12847.jpg)
Birds, Bunnies, and Bugs with Nikon Z7 and Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 PF
Not my usual post as I just want to share the images and not write too much about an otherwise uneventful day. These images were shot at Jericho Beach in Vancouver, BC using the Nikon Z7 and Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 PF lens. The rabbits are feral and while technically wild they let people get fairly close. You certainly don't need a 500mm lens to get decent shots here. A few of my favorites from the day first then the rest.
Nikon Z7 : High ISO, IBIS, Focus Peaking
I took a walk around my neighborhood with my kids to look for fall mushrooms and flowers. I wanted to test a few aspects of the Nikon Z7 including high ISO shots, ability of the in body image stabilization (IBIS) to steady shots at slower shutter speeds, and the focus peaking (which none of my previous cameras have offered). To test, I mounted my 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro Nikkor lens on the FTZ adapter and headed out. It was late afternoon light with some heavy tree cover at times, I first tested focus tracking by trying to get some shots of my kids. I was quite disappointed with the performance of the Z7/105 combo, the tracking was terrible. The camera missed almost every shot, even with the kids just walking. The 105 was never a good performer in this regard and it continues it's poor performance on the Z7.
Regardless, I tested on some static subjects and the results were quite good. Fairly clean output at ISO 3200.
Test of manual focus with peaking, worked very well.
This squirrel was running around and I managed a shot. It's acceptably sharp for web use but not ideal.
This girl was moving on the web and the web was also moving in the breeze. Of 30 or so shots only two yielded results worth sharing.
This shot was at 1/80s hand held but I tested as slow as 1/5s and could get reasonably sharp photos. I don't think that would have been possible with my D810, even with a VR lens.
October Flowers & Mushrooms
Today, when I took the dogs for a walk I decided to bring my camera along. I haven't had very much opportunities to use it recently and needed to get my photo fix in somehow. We have had a very mild fall in Vancouver and there are still plenty of flowers in the neighbourhood. I also came across some mushrooms, and even a few critters.
My route with the dogs
The flowers, I can't believe we still have this many at the end of October!
Some mushrooms
These flowers are still growing in my yard. Maybe this global warming thing isn't so bad ;)
Some of the critters.
Perseid Meteor Shower
One shot from the Perseid Meteor Shower. Taken on August 12 near Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver, BC).
Canada Day Fireworks At Canada Place
I haven't had time to process my photos from last night and given my backlog it may take some time :)
I did want to get a few posted though, for those that missed the festivities at Canada Place. These shots are taken from Waterfront Centre with the Vancouver Convention Centre on the left and Canada Place on the right. Before the fireworks started, I managed to get a couple of short Hyperlapse videos of the crowd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3quo9ba0CM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=893YIYYIw-c
This was my vantage point, couldn't ask for better (iPhone panorama).
A few photos from the evening, I'll try to get some better edits and more photos up soon.
Slow Road to Squamish: Long Exposures on the Sea to Sky
A couple of weeks ago my friend Eli and I did a photohunting trip from Vancouver to Squamish. The goal was to capture some long exposure shots along the way, below are some of the results. Eli's Gitzo tripod was conveniently lost by WestJet, and a loaner fell through at the last minute. A stop at the Salvation Army saved the day though as he was able to pick up a "pro quality" tripod for $9!
First stop was the Lions Gate Bridge. Not a great day for long exposures as it was mostly clear skies. We gave it a shot though.
A shot with my iPhone 5S first.
The resulting long exposure shot with my D800 and 24-70.
Next we went to a spot that I have never been to, the Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver. I didn't even know this existed but, while waiting for Eli to do whatever it is he was doing, I found it on Google Maps. It's a great spot that is worth visiting again. Eli set up on top, my tripod also ready to shoot the spillway.
A quick way to lose gear when looking over the edge :)
There are a couple of holes in the fence where you can get a shot of the reservoir.
Too bad the clouds are not more interesting, you take what you are given I suppose.
You can also shoot the spillway from below, here Eli stands on the edge shooting his long exposure.
Mine from that spot.
We left Vancouver and stopped in Horseshoe Bay for a few shots. I have a few more to look through, but in general I didn't get anything here that I was that happy with. If I get something worth posting I'll just do an update. However, on our way out I decided to set up my camera in the passenger seat of my truck, then use the remote release to get some shots while I'm driving. I used a 6-stop ND filter and a circular polarizer to take out the glare from the windshield. Looks odd, maybe like photo radar :)
Considering that this was highly experimental, the resulting shots were not too bad. Some were completely unusable, but others show promise. I want to try it again, but play with the settings to see if I can get something better. This shot was a 1-second exposure at 100Km/h, that is Eli in front of me.
We hit Squamish, had lunch at The Watershed Grill, and parted ways. On my way home, I stopped at Shannon Falls.
This is the creek below the falls.
My final stop was at Porteau Cove, where I have been many times to dive but never to take photos. Turned out to be my favourite shot of the day.
Vancouver Long Exposure Black & White
A few long exposure black and white photos from a night in Vancouver.
Cypress Mountain Snowshoeing
On the first day of spring, I had the chance to hit the snowshoe trails at Cypress Mountain. Despite some initial clouds and light snow, it turned out to be a beautiful day on the mountain. Here are a few photos from the day, apologies for the lack of information but I don't have a lot of time for a write up :)
Fondue time at Hollyburn Lodge. Food was great and our guides made the day!
On the way down the mountain, we stopped the lookout and were treated to a beautiful view.
Vancouver May Flowers
Apparently the May long weekend is a busy time for gardening in Vancouver. Our tulips have already come and gone, but there is always something in bloom. I took a few shots while my wife was busy in the garden. Nikon D800 with a 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro lens.
Gastown Photo Walk
I took a short walk around Vancouver's Gastown with friends recently. Here are some photos from my walk which started at the Irish Heather and ended at the Pourhouse.
Vancouver Aquarium : February 20
The first photo is not from my trip to the Vancouver Aquarium, but it was taken during the same weekend when my brother was in town. We decided to visit the lookout at Cypress Mountain at sunset, and lucky for us it was a fairly clear evening. This photo is taken looking south east, the sun is setting to the right of the frame and Vancouver is in the foreground. Mount Baker (which is in the USA), is visible in the background. The use of a zoom lens (@ 155mm) provides the compression in the scene. I have used zoom lenses for a few landscape shots in the past (Mountains at 400mm) and they can certainly provide an interesting perspective.
I also created a panorama from the same location starting just to the right of the image above. I'm not that happy with the processing but I'm posting the image anyway. If you want to see this image much bigger, you can do so here.
Now the photos from the trip to the Vancouver Aquarium. Photos from previous visits are also online. I have a new favorite tank, the cuttlefish! Those guys are fascinating to watch.
Also got a great shot in the frog display area, these little guys were lined up like they were on duty.
A few other shots from the day.
Saint Patrick's Day in Vancouver
I was coming back from taking some sunset photos in Lions Bay. On my way home, I saw that BC Place Stadium was lit up green for Saint Patrick's Day. It was a clear night, so I had to stop to get a few extra shots.
Shelter Dogs Feb 22 2013
Another batch of puppies and dogs available for adoption from Vancouver Animal Control. You can see the animals they have available at PetFinder.com (not just dogs but rabbits, lizards, and at times even more strange things). You can also see previous shelter dogs I photographed here. Don't buy a pet through Craigslist or other online sources, adopt a pet from your local animal shelter.
Vancouver False Creek Fog
It was a foggy afternoon and I decided to venture down to Granville Island to see if I could get any interesting shots. I couldn't get inspired, so I just watched a few street performers to pass the time. I thought the evening light would make a difference but again, things just didn't come together as expected. I took a few shots but didn't get anything great. After sunset, I walked around the seawall to Science World and took a few shots in the area. It was one of those nights where I went out to get a specific shot and just couldn't get it. Some people things you can just go out and get a good shot, but in reality I may have to visit the same site 10 times before I get a shot that I'm happy with. Here are a few shots from that night.
Lynn Valley Hike - North Vancouver
I took a very short walk in Lynn Valley just after Christmas, it was a break from shopping hell. I went to the suspension bridge, then down to twin falls. I also wanted to try out the 10-stop ND filter. Results are promising, looking forward to trying a bit more of this.
Shelter Dogs Dec 14 2012
When needed, I try to help out at the local animal shelter (Vancouver Animal Control) by taking photos of their dogs available for adoption. I believe the quality of the photos makes a difference in the dogs adoption so I’m happy to help out when I can. It helps me and helps the dogs. You can see the animals they have available at PetFinder.com (not just dogs but rabbits, lizards, and at times even more strange things). You can also see previous shelter dogs I photographed here.
Yesterday, I went to the shelter to photograph a litter of puppies. They look like little polar bears, so damn cute.
Vancouver's CRAB Park at Portside
We had a small break in the rain tonight so I decided to head out to catch the last bit of daylight. I visited CRAB Park at Portside (Create A Real Available Beach), which is close to Canada Place and the Vanterm TSI Container Terminal. I didn't have much time but did get a few shots before heading home. It is certainly a place I will visit again soon.
One of my first shots when I arrived. Unfortunately in my haste I didn't check my settings and shot this image at ISO 3200. I had to apply a lot of noise reduction so it's softer than I would want. Still, the sky was very dramatic and I'm happy I got the shot.
The Vanterm TSI Container Terminal. An active port in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet with the North Shore mountains in the background.
Tug boats at the port.
I found a small pond which created some great reflections.
And finally a long exposure on my way out. Needs a return visit to try and get something better.
