Category Archives: Inspiring

The Black Tusk

Posted on 10/05/2025 by Jens

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.

Posted in Autumn, British Columbia, Hiking, Inspiring, Mountains, Science, Travel, West Coast | 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

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.

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

Happy New Year

Posted on 12/31/2024 by Jens

May every day of 2025 bring you a new reason to smile and be thankful. The best year is yet to come! Click on the photo to see a larger version.

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

And It Was All Yellow

Posted on 10/13/2024 by Jens

The Thanksgiving long weekend is a great time to photograph the trees turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. I love the light and colours at this time of the year. The air is so crisp and it’s a joy to be outside with my camera all day. My intention was to get there early in the morning when there would be little wind. The calm conditions would allow for nice reflections in the mountain lake. Please click on an image to see a larger version and comments are always welcome.

Posted in Autumn, British Columbia, Colour, Holidays, Inspiring, Mountains, Travel, West Coast | Leave a comment

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

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

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