Category Archives: Birds

Jasper National Park

Posted on 09/21/2026 by Jens

I recently spent a week camping and hiking in Jasper National Park which was a great experience. I was disappointed at how little wildlife there was in the national park. If you are ever in Jasper I would recommend Otto’s Cache Provisions + Cafe for breakfast. I really liked the food and the vibe. If you have time please watch my video. All shooting, editing, and the selection of music has been done by me. Comments are always welcome.

Posted in Alberta, Birds, Colour, Hiking, Inspiring, Mountains, Science, Summer, Travel, Waterfalls, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Common Loon

Posted on 02/16/2026 by Jens

I wasn’t expecting to see a Common Loon ( Gavia immer ) when I went for a walk with my camera. I think this is a juvenile that can be found in coastal waters during the first two years of their life. I watched it doing its submarine maneuvers to catch fish. They are agile swimmers that propel themselves with large feet. Their legs are placed far back on their bodies, allowing for efficient swimming but only awkward movement on land. They spend most of their lives on water and only go ashore to mate and incubate eggs. Click on any one of the three photos to see a larger and sharper version.

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

Mistiness

Posted on 01/25/2026 by Jens

In the quiet hours of a winter morning, fog drapes the landscape in soft tones, inviting the eye to wander slowly through layers of stillness. Here, I saw in the distance a Bald Eagle perched on a farm irrigation system. Where the light meets fog and shapes gently unfold, winter whispers its quiet stories. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

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

Nature-Inspired and Thoughtful

Posted on 01/01/2026 by Jens

In the stillness of winter, a new year begins. Wishing you wisdom, renewal, and steady wings in the months ahead. Happy New Year. Click on the photo of the raven to see a larger version.

Posted in Animalscape, Birds, British Columbia, Holidays, Inspiring, Mountains, West Coast, Wildlife, Winter | Leave a comment

Descending

Posted on 12/28/2025 by Jens

I spent the day photographing Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) and Trumpeter Swans ( Cygnus buccinator ). The Bald Eagles were feeding on spawning salmon which were coming to the end of their life cycle. The Trumpeter Swans were coming into land on a wooded pond. Click on either one of the photos to see a larger version.

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

Golden Hour Glow

Posted on 12/06/2025 by Jens

Fall light for photography is magical due to its low, warm angle, which creates golden hues at sunset. However, this time of year it gets dark by 4:30 p.m. I had to work quickly, before the sun went down, to get this photo of a Pacific Great Blue Heron perched on one leg which helps it to conserve body heat. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Posted in Animalscape, Autumn, Birds, British Columbia, Colour, Science, West Coast, Wildlife | Leave a comment

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

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

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.