Yesterday we visited the Museum of Anthropology at UBC in Vancouver. After
a hard rain shower, we went out to see the outdoor totempoles. As we were
standing there, enjoying a rainbow, I heard the uneven pecking sound of a
Pileated Woodpecker. Looking up, there was the bird at the top of a
totem. What a sight! It then flew to a lower totem that had a raven
figure a the top, and it sat with its bill aligned to that of the raven.
Today, in Richmond, south of the airport, we found a flock of more
than 100 Snow Geese, on a school playground just south of Granville and W
of No. 2 Street. Locals tell me that this flocks is around all winter. I
didn't know that snow geese were present in such an urban environment. If
you get to Richmond, it's worth finding the flock, as they are right by
the road and would make great pictures.

************************
Robert Cleland

Professor (Emeritus), Biology Dept. Box 355325
Univ. of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5325
Phone (206) 543-6105; FAX (206) 685-1728