Missed ID is the best way too learn, you'll never forget Big leaf is your only native maple right? Hopefully I'll get to see one this year.
-moss

nope, we got lots of different maples....

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/vinemaple.htm

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/douglasmaple.htm

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/bigleafmaple.htm

there are some more, but they are classified as ornamentals (ie: japanese maple etc

no worries, deciduous tree identification in the winter is not an easy task. BLM's are somewhat brittle as well, and they give no warning. one minute your strapped to the best tie in point of your life, the next your a pile of guts and climbing gear on the forest floor. Okay, major exaggeration, but watch out for those weak crotches.

RAINED OUT! heavy rains in the Lower Mainland. We go absoluelty filthy , muddy and soaked today at work, during a removal of a huge cedar. The _base_ of the tree was 4" of goopy sticky mud, add sawdust from the chainsaws, rain rivullets down your back and a grumpy climber, and it was a not so nice day. But we slogged thru it. I finished with day by pruning suckers off a pear tree. when i lowerd my arms down the water ran out of my "waterproof" jacket sleeves. gross.day. Might head tonight for a night climb, gonan wait and see if the rain tapers off.