January 1st, 2020 — Today was the 100th polar bear swim at English Bay and there were probably thousands in costumes running into the water watched by thousands more spectators who stayed safely dry and warm on the beach. There were, however, also less well known swims all throughout Vancouver such as this one at Spanish Banks. They were observed by spouses and children only; a private celebration of the new year .
Bicycle fence
April 26th, 2009 — Fence made of old bicycles in Ganges, Salt Spring Island.
Sunk sailboat
January 6th, 2005 — Sunk sailboat on the north side of False Creek.
Moonlight cruise
February 1, 2007 — The Spirit of Vancouver Island entering Active Pass in the light of a full moon.
Exposed roots
August 27th, 2019 — The exposed roots of a fallen tree on Chancellor Trail in Pacific Spirit Park.
Vancouver Blazers
April 6th, 1975 — The World Hockey Association Vancouver Blazers didn’t last very long, just two seasons, but there were lots of stories to tell during their short stay. The best one being that owner Jimmy Pattison realized that owning a hockey team wasn’t really a business in any strict definition of the word and that he would never, ever, think about owning a sports team again. Blazer rookie defenceman and first round draft pick Pat Price (3) shown above with Mike Rogers of the Edmonton Oilers often played in front of a more than half empty stadium, below.
Colin Campbell, above went on to become an executive with the NHL.
Don Mcleod, above.
He scores, he fights
January 24th, 1976 — Tiger Williams, #2 above, of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates scoring a goal which was not his usual contribution to a game against the Vancouver Canucks. Some time later, however, Williams throws off his gloves and reverts to what his fans expect; getting into a fight; this time with Don Lever. Not sure who the Canuck goalie is but it could be Bruce Bullock.
Seattle Breakers 1980
January 11th, 1980 — The assignment was to get bench shots of Seattle Breakers players during their game against the New Westminster Bruins in Queens Park Arena but for some reason the picture that ran in the paper is the one above showing #17 John Neeld being congratulated by Tim Hunter after scoring the winning goal in overtime. Neeld never made it to the NHL but Hunter did playing over 800 games in a 16 year career. The bench shots are below with only one, the first, identifiable as possibly John Neeld.
Tower Beach
November 18th, 2019 — The second world war searchlight tower on Tower Beach at UBC.
Waiting for lunch
April 1999 — Emma, the cat, sitting on a bird bath waiting for lunch.