Most cities you could travel to, have a history of at least a couple of centuries to point to. Even in the young countries of North America. Vancouver, even by those standards, is a very young city. Does this mean that there isn’t as much here to see? Not at all – the city that played host to the 2010 Winter Olympics is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, and of energy that can only come from a hundred ethnic cultures living crammed together in one place. Travel to Vancouver, Canada tends often to be about getting outdoors and being a part of Canada’s vast open spaces and scenic landscapes. You go out there for spectacular hiking, cycling, sailing, skiing, white water rafting, you name it. Vancouver, if you didn’t know, is predominantly Asian. The cuisine you’ll find here comes from every corner of Asia. The surprising thing though is that there is an expansive West Coast easiness to life here, and it can make the pace of other international cities seem positively uncivilized.

What kind of outdoors activities can you look forward to when you travel to Vancouver, Canada? The surprising thing about Vancouver that never fails to catch tourists by surprise is how close some of the most spectacular North American scenic beauty is to the bustling center of town. For instance, Indian Park, a mere half-hour’s drive from the center of town looks like something out of a tourist catalog for the fjord-filled wildness of the Swedish coastline. Rent a kayak and get down into the water for some of the most peaceful times with nature that you’ve ever experienced.

Those who love Canada, love the way that it’s so easy to get away from it all. The Kitsilano beaches of Vancouver are where you’ll find some of the wildest windswept stretches of beach you have ever seen. There are mountains by the sea where you are likely to find so much privacy, so much loneliness, that they have declared these clothing optional beaches. For something to do with people around, try the ferry to Granville Island to experience the public market there where you can sample some great local cooking, and eat out on the streets. It’ll feel European and American all the same time. Read the rest of this entry »

When many people think of Canada and it’s west coast, the things that are naturally associated with it is mountains, rain and trees. These are great associations for this area as they all contribute to the beauty of the area. The amazing year round birding Canada west coast opportunities are also something that experienced birders also associate with this area.

All up and down the west coast of British Columbia you will find a large number of varied and attractive bird species. As well, British Columbia has become a frequently enjoyed province not only for summer camping and winter skiing vacations, but also for birding throughout the year.

About Birding in British Columbia

Canada’s west coast has many different landscapes. Some of these landscapes include the super natural old growth rain forests of Douglas fir and Western Red cedar trees on the central coast, the rugged beauty of the coastline, fresh water lakes, snow capped mountains, small gulf islands and large and small cities up and down the coast and on Vancouver Island. The varied habitats of the west coast allow a great number of birding opportunities.

Birding Canada west coast is at its finest during specific periods of the year. These periods include salmon runs, the height of the migrations and the breeding season. It’s key to observe that the different species of birds may have slightly different breeding and migration seasons.

Birding in British Columbia for the Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron is a popular bird to seek out in British Columbia because it is north america’s largest heron standing about 3 – 4 feet in height and with a wingspan of around 6 feet. This amazing bird will stand in the shallow waters of the shoreline for hours waiting for small fish to swim by for feeding. Many of their nests and the surrounding trees have received government protection in many areas to help sustain their nesting areas. Read the rest of this entry »