Sunday 23 December 2012

Friday 14 December 2012

Glass Insulators in Vancouver





It is still possible to see old glass insulators suspended along aging telegraph poles running next to country railway tracks.  Production of insulators began in the mid 1800's and they were used as a   means of insulating early communication wires.  Today with the advance of technology, fiber optics and satellites, insulators have become obsolete. As with many railway items, glass insulators are now collected with color ones being more desirable.  I was surprised to spot a row of green glass insulators hidden between an office tower and an older brick apartment building right in downtown Vancouver.

Monday 10 December 2012

Saturday 8 December 2012

Gas Meters


Rows of gas meters line the outside wall of  a Vancouver building.  Will they one day be replaced with new meters much in the same way that hydro meters were replaced with smart meters.

Friday 7 December 2012

Back Alleys Of Vancouver


Some call them the dead zones of Vancouver, dull and lifeless, even scary while others find beauty in Vancouver's back alleys. Filled with dumpsters, back entrances and  H framed power poles holding elevated transformers that have been around since the 1940's these alleys cover much of the Downtown Eastside, Gastown and Chinatown areas.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

The Three Watchmen Haida Artist Jim Hart




Created by Haida master carver Jim Hart in 2003, The Three Watchmen greets people to this housing complex in the Arbutus area.  Placed by developer and art collector Michael Audain, this striking 16' bronze sculpture,  has become a landmark on this quiet residential street.