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.
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.
When I’m out exploring this beautiful province that I live in, I’ve been trying to use my drone more. As a photographer, you have to change your perspective because you are seeing the world from a Bird’s-eye point of view. Just like you need to look at things differently when you are shooting black and white vs. colour photos, you also need to think differently when you are taking images with a drone. I took this picture of a road that leads to a ski resort. It actually goes up a steep hill, but it doesn’t really convey that from above. Ideally, I should have included a cyclist or a bright red sports car, which would have made for a stronger composition. Click on the photo to see a larger version. Comments are always welcome.
In October I look forward to chasing colours with my camera. The shorter days and cooler temperatures signals the trees to stop producing chlorophyll. At times, my hands were cold, but it felt great to spend the day in nature. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Click on a photo to see a larger version and then use your left and right keys to scroll through the gallery.
One of the best known mountains in the Garibaldi Ranges of the Coast Mountains. It’s considered to be the remnant of an extinct andesitic stratovolcano which formed between 1.1 and 1.3 million years ago. To the Squamish people it’s T’ákt’akmúten tl’a Ín7inyáx̱a7en which means ‘Landing Place of the Thunderbird’. The jagged shape of the mountain and its black colouring are said to come from the Thunderbird’s lightning. In my photo, just to the left of the mountain you can see the rock formation the ‘Bishop’s Mitre’ which is a challenging and technical climb. Click on either photo to see a larger version.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
