Richmond/Steveston, B.C., Canada / May 2013

This was taken from a scheduled float plane ride from Vancouver’s south terminal to Salt Spring Island and back. It was a low tide as noted in the top of the photo with all the rib-like sandbars. The Vancouver Airport – YVR, is actually on a delta created by centuries of silt and sand coming down the might Fraser River and being deposited at the mouth as it merges into the Pacific Ocean.

Before some of these tidal lands are reclaimed, dykes are built to keep out the salt water. Meanwhile, the patterns in the low lying areas are created by drainage veins, water patches and mini-ponds. You should be able to see the man-made posts and stanchions that are subjected to salt water high tides. In some of my other photos, these lands appear to be like the surface of an unearthly planet. Stay tuned!