Category Archives: Wildlife

Fish Hawks

Posted on April 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.

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

Happy New Year

Posted on December 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

Six Degrees of Separation

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Jens

This time of year I look forward to photographing Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) who gather to feed on salmon that have reached the end of their life cycle. I came across six Bald Eagles in a tree and I had to wait patiently for just the right moment when they were all looking in my direction. Click on one of the polaroid images and then use your left and right keys to scroll through the gallery. Comments are always welcome.

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

Red-tailed Hawk

Posted on November 16, 2024 by Jens

At sunset I spent some time photographing a juvenile Red tailed-Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ) hunting for small animals. With the sun just above the horizon it created this beautiful golden sidelight. The buteo’s eyes were fixed on the ground looking for any movement. Then it would attack in a slow and controlled dive. Click on one of the Polaroid images and then use the left and right keys to scroll through the gallery. Comments are always welcome.

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

The Antiheroes of Our Ecosystems

Posted on September 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

Green Bokeh

Posted on July 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

Mallard Ducklings

Posted on July 6, 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.

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Nesting Material

Posted on May 5, 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

American Kestrel

Posted on April 6, 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.

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Gentle Honking

Posted on January 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