The Autumn colours usually take centre stage this time of year. The unseasonably hot conditions led to more muted colours. I like taking photos early in the morning because there is little wind and you get nice reflections in mountain lakes. When the sun rises, the wind picks up, and the opportunity to take images of reflections disappears. Click on a photo to see a larger version.
The middle of October is a time when I start to think about taking images of Fall colours in British Columbia. After driving in the dark for a few hours I arrived at my location and started taking photos of the Autumn foliage. While I was adjusting my camera settings and tripod I started to feel like I was being watched. That’s when I saw the large pointy ears with distinctive tufts of black hair. It was a Bobcat ( Lynx rufus ) that was sitting quietly behind me. I quickly changed to a telephoto lens and was able to capture a couple of good images before it disappeared into the forest. Unfortunately, the background consists of pavement and cement. The photos would’ve been perfect if I had photographed this beautiful wildcat in its natural environment. Click on a photo to see a larger version.
This photo was taken with a telephoto lens. The image shows downtown Vancouver and in the distance mountains on Vancouver Island. Click on the image to see a larger size.
In 2021, the pandemic has dominated our lives. It has been an unusual and difficult year. I would like to wish you a happy new year and I hope 2022 is a much more positive experience for everyone. Take care. Be safe.
This female Belted Kingfisher ( Megaceryle alcyon ) was perched along a river. They are very skittish and usually fly away when you approach them. The Belted Kingfisher is one of the few bird species where the female is more colourful than the male. The female has a broad rusty band on its belly. You can find Belted Kingfishers flying quickly along streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries feeding on small fish. They have very loud rattling calls and I often hear them first, before visually spotting them.
Autumn is a time of unparalleled beauty on the west coast of Canada. The mixed forests of deciduous and coniferous trees become a patchwork of red, yellow, orange and green. I was fortunate to be out with my camera on a day that also included a dusting of snow in the mountains. I thoroughly enjoyed chasing the light and Fall colours. Click on a photo to see a larger version and use the left and right keys to scroll through the gallery.
The weather forecast wasn’t very promising, but I was determined to spend the day taking photos of the Fall colours. Timing peak colours each Fall is an imperfect science, and the ideal time and place one year can turn out to be a disappointment the next. The reason leaves change is because of a decrease in photosynthetic activity as the days get shorter in the Fall. I like this photo because of the vibrant colours and how the trees lead the viewer into the photo, creating a sense of depth. Click on the image to see a larger version with a black background.
This morning I was fortunate to spend some time photographing a Anna’s hummingbird ( Calypte anna ). The males of this genus are distinctive, with elongated gorgets and iridescent crowns. The three photos below are of the same adult male Anna’s hummingbird. You can only see the iridescent crown from a certain angle, when the hummingbird is looking directly at you.
The AquaTech Rain Shield protects your camera equipment from rain, snow, dust or salt. They come in four different sizes ( i.e. small, medium, large and extra large ). It’s made from three-ply ripstop waterproof breathable fabric for excellent water shedding performance. While most high end cameras and lenses are weather sealed, you need additional protection if you’re going to be taking images in the rain for a prolonged period of time. If you are in a boat they protect your camera equipment from being splashed and ruined by corrosive salt water.
They come with a silicone-sealed window that allows you to see the LCD on the back of your camera and there is also a weatherproof sleeve that allows you access to the controls on your camera. You need to order a AquaTech eyepiece for your specific camera and choose the right size for your lens. I’ve used AquaTech Rains Shields for a couple of years now and I’ve been impressed with their performance in bad weather. They are well designed, functional to use in the field and bombproof if you are shooting images during a deluge.
Adult Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) obtain their food by hunting and killing, while younger birds rely more on scavenging and piracy. This morning I was photographing adult and juvenile Bald Eagles feeding on salmon carcasses. It takes four or five years to achieve its distinctive coloration. I hope the juvenile Bald Eagle will be okay because it has less than a 50 percent chance of reaching adulthood.
