Category Archives: British Columbia

The Antiheroes of Our Ecosystems

Posted on 09/29/2024 by Jens

I was quite surprised to come across three Turkey Vultures ( Catharses aura ) when I was out for a walk with my camera and telephoto lens. When you see these raptors in the distance you know they are Turkey Vultures because their wings are raised in a V and when soaring they make wobbly circles. They sometimes fly low to the ground to pick up the scent of dead animals and also use updrafts to carry them into the sky.

The Turkey Vulture eats carrion or fresh carcasses which they find by using their keen sense of smell. Their stomach acid is extremely acidic which allows them to digest just about anything. By taking care of carcasses the Turkey Vultures provide an essential service by preventing diseases that would spread from rotting flesh.

They have a featherless red head and a hooked pale bill. Some would say they are not the most attractive bird when seen up close, but they have evolved with traits that make them unique. Please click on a photo to see a larger version.

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

Bike the Night

Posted on 09/15/2024 by Jens

This evening was Bike the Night in Vancouver which was a HUB cycling event. I tried to find a good location for photography. I experimented with different settings for ISO, exposure time, and depth of field. This is a photo of a cyclist who had decorated their bike with lights. With the rider being slightly blurred it conveys a sense of motion. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Posted in British Columbia, Night Photography, Summer, West Coast | Leave a comment

Green Bokeh

Posted on 07/12/2024 by Jens

This Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) was perched at the top of a small pine tree. It didn’t look like it was very comfortable as it struggled to maintain its balance. By using a lens aperture of f/5.6 I created a nice bokeh. This aesthetic quality is the blur or out-of-focus part in the background. It was midday when I took the photo, the light was very harsh, and for that reason I usually don’t take photos at this time of day. However, I do like the green background created by the other trees. Click on the image to see a larger version.

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

From the Sea to the Mountains

Posted on 07/12/2024 by Jens

Last night I was trying to find a location where I could position the Coast mountains behind this lighthouse. Then I used my 500mm lens to compress the view of the lighthouse and the mountains behind. I think I experienced some heat shimmer when I took this photo. This is an optical phenomenon that can occur when using telephoto lenses, especially long focal lengths, in hot weather conditions. It’s caused by differences in air temperature and density, which can lead to distortion or a flickering effect on your images. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

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

Mallard Ducklings

Posted on 07/06/2024 by Jens

This morning I was fortunate to spend some time photographing a female Mallard duck and her ducklings. They were very curious about the human being with a camera and telephoto lens. Despite being so small they are already very good at swimming and diving. Be safe little ducklings and watch out for Bald Eagles. Click on the image to see a larger size.

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

Nesting Material

Posted on 05/05/2024 by Jens

The Ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ) have migrated back to British Columbia. One of the first things they do after arriving is clean up their nest. With generations adding to the nest year after year, it becomes bigger. I was fortunate to photograph the male Osprey collecting nesting material. It didn’t land on the lakeshore, it would just swoop down and collect sticks feet first. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

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

Beach Trees

Posted on 04/27/2024 by Jens

When walking on the beach I noticed these beautiful trees created in the sand by the receding tide. Their formation is also helped when the beach has a slight incline. I didn’t have a macro lens, which would have been ideal, and I had to work hard not to get my feet in the picture. I received a lot of curious glances from people walking by. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

Posted in British Columbia, Inspiring, Minimalism, Spring, Travel, West Coast | Leave a comment

American Kestrel

Posted on 04/06/2024 by Jens

I was on my way to see if the Ospreys had returned to their nest for another season of breeding, when I spotted two American Kestrels ( Falco sparverius ) perched on a wire. They are North America’s smallest falcon and eat mostly insects and other invertebrates, as well as small rodents and birds. The photo below is a female American Kestrel and it was scanning for prey. I never did see the Ospreys, but I enjoyed watching this pair of American Kestrels hunting. Their flight is very light and buoyant. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

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

Not a Breath of Wind

Posted on 02/24/2024 by Jens

When the sun rises the morning mist or fog quickly burns off. I arrived early when the area was blanketed with fog, but as I set up my tripod and camera the scene was quickly changing. I was captivated by the two trees and their reflections in the water. Please click on the photo to see a larger version.

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

Gentle Honking

Posted on 01/14/2024 by Jens

The Trumpeter Swans ( Cygnus buccinator ) had spent the night along this wooded river. I arrived early and photographed them before the sun came up. I can’t decide which image I like best. The first one has the combination of mist and blue light which created a moody photo. The second image was taken just as the sun started to rise and the sidelight lit the trees along the riverbank. Click on either image to see larger and sharper versions.

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