Author Archives: Jens

Ten Turkey Vultures

Posted on 08/26/2025 by Jens

I’ve just returned from a trip to Northern Vancouver Island. The temperature was cooler and more pleasant than the heat we’ve been experiencing in the Vancouver lower mainland. During my trip I visited Port McNeill, Port Alice, and Alert Bay. In Alert Bay I would recommend seeing the wonderful U’mista Cultural Centre which is a small museum that is dedicated to the survival of all aspects of the cultural heritage of the Kwakwa’wakw people. I photographed turkey vultures and golden eagles. The turkey vultures were perched in a tree and I had never seen ten in such close proximity to one another. Click on any of the photos below to see a larger version.

Posted in Birds, British Columbia, Mountains, Summer, Travel, West Coast, Wildlife | Leave a comment

RCAF Snowbirds

Posted on 07/25/2025 by Jens

As part of the fireworks in Vancouver on July 19th and 23rd the RCAF Snowbirds performed over English Bay. I’ve always been a huge fan. Click on an image to see a larger size and then use your left and right keys to scroll through the gallery.

Posted in British Columbia, Colour, Inspiring, Mountains, Summer, West Coast | Leave a comment

Strix varia

Posted on 06/08/2025 by Jens

Owls are such beautiful and mysterious birds of prey. I spent some time photographing a family of Barred Owls. They fly noiselessly through a dense canopy of trees. Barred Owls don’t migrate, and they don’t even move around very much. The photos were taken with a telephoto lens and are heavily cropped. I was a considerable distance away and didn’t want to disturb them. Please click on a photo and then use your left and right keys to scroll through the gallery of images. My favourite photo is the first one because of the beautiful Barred Owl and the red and green bokeh. Comments are always welcome.

Posted in Birds, British Columbia, Colour, Inspiring, Spring, West Coast, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Slesse Sunrise

Posted on 05/09/2025 by Jens

Recently, I photographed a spectacular sunrise behind Mount Slesse. A thin layer of clouds was touching the 8,002 foot summit. Can you imagine being on top during this time? The vibrant colours only lasted a few minutes. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Posted in British Columbia, Colour, Mountains, Spring, West Coast | Leave a comment

Fish Hawks

Posted on 04/19/2025 by Jens

I always look forward to the return of the Ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ). The Osprey is also known by its nicknames the Fish Hawk, Sea Hawk, or River Hawk. The Sea Hawk seems the most appropriate nickname because they often live close to the ocean. The Osprey is a unique bird of prey because its diet is about 99% fish. Each winter they primarily migrate to Central and South America. Some Ospreys may winter in California, Florida, and Baja. I watched as the male was collecting sticks for the nest which seems to get bigger every year. Click on a photo to see a larger version and then scroll through the gallery using your left and right keys. Comments are always welcome.

Posted in Birds, British Columbia, Spring, West Coast, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Waterfalls

Posted on 03/09/2025 by Jens

My intention wasn’t to spend the day photographing waterfalls, but it just kind of happened. The mild temperatures and the rain had returned, so the ice had disappeared. I found a beautiful little waterfall and spent a few hours watching the changing light as the sunlight streamed through the trees. Click on one of the polaroid images to see a larger version. Comments are always welcome.

Posted in British Columbia, Colour, Waterfalls, West Coast, Winter | Leave a comment

The War of the Worlds

Posted on 02/16/2025 by Jens

When we have some prolonged cold weather and the temperature dips below zero at night I like to photograph frozen waterfalls. The ice formations in my photos remind me of the Martian fighting-machines used in H.G. Wells’ 1898 classic science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. They are also known as tripods and are the main war machines used by the Martians in their attempt to conquer Earth. They are fast moving three legged walkers that have whip-like tentacles used for grasping. Click on any one of the polaroid images to see a larger version. Comments are always welcome.

Posted in British Columbia, Hiking, Mountains, Travel, Waterfalls, West Coast, Winter | Leave a comment

Poutine

Posted on 01/13/2025 by Jens

We’ve had a lot of rain over the last few weeks, so it was nice to receive some sunshine. I went for a walk with my camera and came across this group of friends eating poutine. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

Posted in British Columbia, Inspiring, West Coast, Winter | Leave a comment

A Constantly Changing Canvas

Posted on 01/11/2025 by Jens

Sometimes the weather forecast doesn’t look promising for photography, but I’ve learned you should still follow through on your plan because unique conditions might develop. It had rained for a few days and the forecast was for a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. I was hoping for a beautiful sunset with fresh snow on the mountains, but it never materialized. What caught my eye was the fog or mist moving through the trees on the side of a mountain. It’s a scene I like to photograph because it’s constantly changing by the minute. Sometimes I’ll see some fog or mist moving through trees that I really want to photograph, but by the time I’ve set up my camera to compose the image the scene is gone. Click on the photo to see a larger version.