Easter

This Easter weekend was an eventful time for Beatriz and myself.  Friday evening our good friends Jon and Roisin had invited us to an event in downtown Vancouver. As we arrived a little early, we decided to stop at Stanley Park and munch a salad we had purchased en route. 

As soon as we parked Beatriz exclaimed, we had stopped in the perfect spot.  Directly ahead was a tall stump, and on top a Canadian goose stood guard. In a tree nearby were two bald eagles squawking and making a big racket. Between the eagles and the goose the conversation was lively.

You can imagine, Beatriz did not stop to eat, but jumped out of the car to start taking photos and talk to the birds. Not to be undone, I swallowed a few mouthfuls and clamored out to view the proceedings. Here are a couple of the photos.  

You guessed it, there were two geese there, one was sitting on its nest in the middle of the stump and the gander stood on guard. It was orchestra of sight and sound. We wonder how the goslings will get down.  Hummmmm. I think the eagles were discussing the same thing.

Then on Saturday evening Beatriz and I stopped in for the evening service at the Abby in Mission which lasted through Easter Sunday morning. We certainly enjoyed the Hallelujah acapella singing and as we lit candles, our minds were drawn to those around the world who for one reason or another would not be able to gather together with people of faith to celebrate Easter this year. Our prayers go out to them.

Upon leaving the cathedral at 1:15 am, we looked back to view this wonderful sight.

When Easter comes around my mind is often returns to the East side of Vancouver.

One day when working at U.G.M. on East Hastings Street, I looked up at the church across the way and noticed an eagle perched on  the steeple. It was an unfamiliar sight to me but later learned this sight was one that brought joy and hope to some of the first-nation residents living nearby.

I didn't have a large lens for my Nikon camera, 35mm - 55mm) and needed to think of a way to get nearer for a better shot. Meanwhile, I called Beatriz to come view this amazing site.

There was a two story elementary school nearby, so I thought if we could get in the school yard and climb the first set of stairs which was outdoors, we might be able to capture the photo I wanted. Meanwhile I hoped the eagles wouldn't fly away on a hunting expedition.

Later, in talking to the church's pastor, he mentioned the eagles had actually build a nest near the base of the steeple on a raised flat area. The church had become their home.

Meanwhile, the school caretaker saw me taking photos and we chatted with him about the eagles.  I asked if there was anyway of accessing the roof of the school to have a better view.

After some minutes of discussion,  the custodian graciously invited us inside where he pulled down a popup ladder, went up and unlocked the padlocked, roof trap door and said we could climb the ladder, poke out our heads, but not get onto the roof. The liability was too much for him to allow us onto the roof top.

The following two side photos are of the eagles on the cross, always on alert.

We are continually reminded to be awake, alert to all that is happening around us, what's transpiring inside us and be vigilant in our faith walk. 

Trust you all have had a meaningful time this Easter. He is Risen.