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The green colour you see is a result of excited atomic oxygen at lower altitudes up to 241 km's. Purple is caused by ionized molecular nitrogen above 96.6 km's. Blue is seen below 96.6 km's. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green_rain/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Green_Rain.jpg The Magnetosphere The recent coronal mass ejections ( CMEs ) took around 18 hours to reach Earth before interacting with our magnetic field. The Northern Lights are created when charged particles hit gases in our atmosphere. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green_reflection/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Green_Reflection.jpg Green Reflection I loved how the Northern Lights colours were reflected in the marsh. The sun is approaching what is called its 'solar maximum' which is a point in an 11 year cycle where its activity is strongest. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/osprey_green/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Osprey_Green.jpg Osprey Mountain The Northern Lights ( Aurora Borealis ) on a beautiful Spring evening. In the distance you can see the snow covered Osprey Mountain. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green_ears/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Green_Ears.jpg Green Golden Ears A green sky over the peaks in Golden Ears provincial park. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green_pool/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Green_Pool.jpg Green Pool The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration issued its first geomagnetic storm watch since 2005 and said the storm was a 'potentially historic event'. It was an amazing night. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/shimmering/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Shimmering.jpg Shimmering The Northern Lights ( Aurora Borealis ) puts on a spectacular display. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green_spirits/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Green_Spirits.jpg Green Spirits The Northern Lights are created when energized particles from the sun slams into the Earth's upper atmosphere, but our planet's magnetic field protects us from the onslaught. This strong solar storm allowed us to see the Aurora Borealis further south than usual. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/osprey_gathering_nesting_material/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/O_Landing_Gear.jpg Gathering Nesting Material The Ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ) have returned for another season of nesting. I believe this North American raptor is a male because it was fetching nesting material along the lakeshore. One of my favourite birds of prey. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ts_morning_mist/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/TS_morning_mist.jpg Trumpeter Swans At sunrise I photographed these Trumpeter Swans ( Cygnus buccinator ) in a wooded river. There was this beautiful mist before the sun rose. I like the mood this photo conveys. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_bait_ball/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/bald_eagle_catch.jpg Bald Eagle and Bait Ball Birds like Gulls, Rhinoceros Auklets, and Pelagic Cormorants were gathering to feed on a bait ball or fish boil. Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) were diving toward the fish and capturing many fingerlings. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/orca_breach_spray/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/orca_spray.jpg Blackfish Breach The most distinctive feature of the Killer Whale ( Orcinus orca ) is its coloration. In the photo you can see how the body is black dorsally and white ventrally. This juvenile was demonstrating play behaviour like spy-hopping, tail-slapping, and breaching. Haida Gwaii, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rissos_dolphin_blowhole/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/rissos_blowhole.jpg Grampus The coloration of Risso's Dolphins ( Grampus griseus ) is quite variable and striking. As the dolphins age, their body colour lightens, except for the dorsal fin and flippers, which remain mostly dark. I feel fortunate I was able to spend some time photographing this group of Risso's Dolphins. They are usually found in the deeper waters of the continental shelf. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/early_morning_fog/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/morning_fog.jpg Early Morning Fog I always enjoy early in the morning when the fog slowly drifts through the trees. It's a scene that's constantly changing. The fog provides nutrients for the trees. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/serenity/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/KW_Serenity.jpg Serenity A pod of resident Killer Whales ( Orcinus orca ) rests after travelling up the strait. This is one of my favourite Killer Whale photos. The fog, mist, and calm water creates a sense of peacefulness. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/humpback_whale_breach/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/HW_Breach.jpg When Whales Fly An adult Humpback Whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) can weigh 40,000 kilograms. How it's able to get its entire body out of the water is amazing. I was very fortunate to witness and photograph this Humpback Whale breaching. When it landed there was a huge splash and a thunderous sound. You can clearly see how it has the longest pectoral fins of all the great whales. There is a cluster of Acorn barnacles on its throat. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sea_otter_breakfast/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Sea_Otter_Crab.jpg Sea Otter Breakfast Early one morning, in a blanket of coastal fog, I spent some time with this Sea Otter ( Enhydra lutris ) and enjoyed watching it dive, catch, and eat a crab. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blackfish_island/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Killer_Whale_Island.jpg Blackfish Island A Killer Whale ( Orcinus orca ) swims past a coastal island. I like this kind of 'animalscape' image. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_legs_talons/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Bald_Eagle_Rock.jpg Powerful Legs and Talons A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) is perched on a rock. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sea_otter_bull_kelp/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Sea_Otter_Floating.jpg Sea Otter and Bull Kelp A Sea Otter ( Enhydra lutris ) anchors itself with some Bull Kelp. It holds its front paws out of the water to keep them warm. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killer_whale_bull_kelp/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Killer_Whale__Kelp.jpg Killer Whale and Bull Kelp A Killer Whale ( Orcinus orca ) with Bull Kelp on its dorsal fin. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killer_whale_bow_wave/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Killer_Whale_Wave.jpg Killer Whale Bow Wave This surfacing Killer Whale ( Orcinus orca ) created a bow wave. If you look closely you can see the oval shaped white patch behind its eye and white chin. The underwater view is slightly distorted by the curvature of the wave. I have read that Killer Whales use a hunting strategy in the Antarctic where they work together to create waves that flush seals off of ice floes. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pelagic_cormorants_coastal_mountains/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Pelagic_Cormorants_Rock.jpg Pelagic Cormorants and Coastal Mountains I have been trying to take more photos that show wildlife in their natural environment. What I like about this image of Pelagic Cormorants ( Phalacrocorax pelagicus ) perched on a rock is the coastal mountains in the background. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bonapartes_gull/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Bonapartes_Gull.jpg Bonaparte's Gull This is a juvenile Bonaparte's Gull ( Larus philadelphia ). It has the dark ear-spot right behind its eye. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/herbert_lake/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Herbert_Lake.jpg First Blush Herbert Lake reflecting the mountain range above. The tips of the mountains have this beautiful Alpenglow which only lasts a few minutes at sunrise. Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/common_loon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/CL_Cruising.jpg Eerie Calls I was up at sunrise to photograph Common Loons ( Gavia immer ) that were nesting on a mountain lake. It was very special to hear their beautiful and haunting calls echo across the lake. In the summer they're patterned black and white. Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/black_bear_cub_log/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BB_Posing.jpg Green Forest I was watching a mother black bear ( Ursus americanus ) play fighting with her cub. A second cub jumped up on a log to get a better look for a few seconds. These bears have quite the vocabulary, and use a variety of grunts, hums and vocalizations to communicate with each other. Some researchers, having overheard these conversations, say they can be surprisingly 'human-like'. Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rh_perched/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/RH_Tail.jpg Rufous Hummingbird The Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus ) is very feisty. They will attack other hummingbirds that are double their weight. Based on its body size it makes one of the longest migrations in the world from Alaska to Mexico. To hover in place, they beat their wings very fast and has been recorded at 52 to 62 wingbeats per second. The Rufous Hummingbird in the photo is a male with its brilliant orange colour, while the female is green and orange. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_snowy_peak/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_Cathedral_Mountain.jpg Bald Eagle and Snowy Peak I tried positioning the Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) on the left and Cathedral Mountain ( 1737 m ) in the background on the right, but I think I like this version better. This kind of 'animalscape' is something I'm always looking for when I'm taking images of wildlife. It appeals to me because it shows the juvenile Bald Eagle in its natural environment. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/three_musketeers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_Three_Musketeers.jpg The Three Musketeers Three adult bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) feed on salmon carcasses. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/be_marsh_driving_snow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_driving_snow.jpg Couldn't Stand the Weather A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) tries to balance itself on a snowy and windy day. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/northern_harrier_marsh_snow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/NH_snow.jpg Low and Slow A Northern Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ) flies over a marsh looking for small birds and mammals. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/raccoon_intertidal_zone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/raccoon_low_tide.jpg Raccoon One evening I went for a paddle in a sea kayak and I came across this raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) foraging for food at low tide in the intertidal zone. The raccoon has extremely dexterous front paws, a facial mask and ringed tail. I noticed this raccoon appears to have vitiligo in its paws. Haida Gwaii, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/be_close_up/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_juvenile_closeup.jpg 3 1/2 Years Old A fully mature Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) has a head and tail that are completely white with overall dark brown plumage. This aging process takes about five to six years. I would estimate that this juvenile Bald Eagle that I photographed is around three and a half or four years old. You can still see some dark flecking on the head and the beak is becoming more yellow. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/be_snowy_log/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_snowy_log.jpg Enjoying the Sun This juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) was very comfortable and relaxed with my presence. I like this photo of it perched on a snowy log because it shows its powerful and sharp talons. I estimate this bird of prey was about three and a half years old. I really enjoyed the time I spent with this amazing creature. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/least_sandpiper/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Least_Sandpipers.jpg Least Sandpiper I was fortunate to spend some time with the smallest shorebird in the world, the Least Sandpiper ( Calidris minutilla ). They feed on invertebrates in the mud and sand along the edges of water. I'm still learning about the different kinds of shorebirds. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bk_female/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BK_female.jpg A Perched Belted Kingfisher Based on my experience, photographing Belted Kingfishers is challenging. They don't sit still for very long and their very skittish. I was fortunate to get a photo of this female Belted Kingfisher ( Megaceryle alcyon ) before it took flight. The Belted Kingfisher is one of the few bird species in which the female is more brightly coloured than the male. The female has a broad rusty band on its belly. You can find Belted Kingfishers perched along the edges of streams, lakes, and estuaries. They fly quickly up and down rivers giving their loud rattling calls. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mute_swans/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Mute_Swans.jpg The Group of Seven Early one morning, out of the fog, came seven Mute Swans ( Cygnus olor ). Mute Swans are not a native species to North America. Downy young Mute Swans are called cygnets. The gray ( or 'Royal' ) chicks start off with gray down and grow in gray-brown and white feathers, giving them a mottled look. You should give plenty of space to nesting Mute Swans because they can be very aggressive. Fraser River, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/talons_inverted/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_Talons_Upside_Down.jpg Talons One adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) was feeding on a salmon carcass when another one flew in and they had this brief skirmish. The adult Bald Eagle that was eating the salmon carcass was able to quickly invert itself and get its talons up in the air to defend itself. Bald Eagles are so acrobatic. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hw_diving/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/HBW_Diving.jpg Companions Two Humpback Whales ( Megaptera novaengliae ) begin a dive and display their powerful tail flukes. The flippers of Humpback Whales are the longest of all the cetaceans and make the species very manoeuvrable. They are well known for their spectacular aerial displays, including flipper slaps, tail slaps and breaches. Humpback Whales undertake some of the longest migrations of any mammals. Starting in the autumn and continuing through the winter the male Humpback Whales sing long and complex songs to attract a female and establish dominance among the other males. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bb_pacific_temperate_rainforest/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BB_Forest.jpg Black Bear in a Pacific Temperate Rainforest A Black Bear ( Ursus americanus ) forages for food in a Pacific temperate rainforest. The bear was covered in pine needles from walking through the trees and bushes. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bb_intertidal_zone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BB_Intertidal.jpg Black Bear Feeding in the Intertidal Zone This Black Bear ( Ursus americanus ) was taking advantage of the low tide to feed on small marine creatures in the intertidal zone. While black bear's can be a variety of colours, most of them on Vancouver Island are black. I enjoyed watching this black bear, effortlessly turning over heavy rocks. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ruffed_grouse/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Ruffed_Grouse.jpg Ruffed Grouse The secretive Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa umbellus ) perches briefly on a branch. Due to their cryptic coloration and slow, deliberate movements, they are difficult to spot in the trees. You can often hear the male Ruffed Grouse. They quickly move their wings back and forth which generates a deep, thumping sound. The female Ruffed Grouse in the photo was waiting for its two chicks to catch up before proceeding deeper into the forest. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killdeer/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/KD_Beach.jpg Killdeer The Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferous ) is a shorebird that gets its name from the shrill, wailing kill-deer call they give so often. They exhibit a clever 'broken wing display' in which they appear to be struggling with a broken wing while leading the predator away from their young. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ah_necctar_feeding/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/AH_Flowers.jpg Iridescent Red A male Anna's Hummingbird ( Calypte anna ) feeding on nectar. You can see the male's head and throat which is covered in iridescent reddish-pink feathers that can look dull brown or grey without direct sunlight. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/deep_thought/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_Deep_Thought.jpg Deep Thought A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) at sunrise. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gho_stare/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/GHO_Eyes.jpg Yellow-Eyed Stare The Great Horned Owl ( Bubo virginianus ) is found in many wooded habitats and is often seen on prominent perches at dusk. It hunts mammals ( up to rabbit-size ) from a perch. When clenched, a Great Horned Owl's strong talons require a force of 28 pounds to open. The owls use this deadly grip to sever the spine of large prey. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/two_sandhill_cranes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/SC_Two.jpg Two Sandhill Cranes When I was taking this photo of two Sandhill Cranes ( Antigone canadensis ) some nearby ducks became very noisy and upset when they spotted a mink. The Sandhill Cranes looked on wondering what all the fuss was about. These birds are known for their dancing skills. Courting cranes stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow, and leap into the air in a graceful and energetic dance. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sc_grasses/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/SC_Grass.jpg Sandhill Crane in a Marsh The Sandhill Crane ( Antigone canadensis ) is a tall, gray-bodied, crimson-capped bird that breeds in open wetlands, fields, and prairies across North America. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/annas_hummingbird_female/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Annas_Female.jpg Anna's Hummingbird - Female The Anna's Hummingbird ( Calypte anna ) consumes more insects than any other North America hummingbird. They are a blur of motion as they hover before flowers looking for nectar and insects. It's the most common hummingbird on the West Coast. Their hearts beat at 1260 beats per minute. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ring-necked_duck/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/RN_Duck_Male.jpg Ring-necked Duck ( Breeding Male ) Ring-necked Ducks ( Aythya collaris ) are fast fliers who undertake longer migrations than other diving ducks. This species might better be called the 'Ring-billed Duck' because its chestnut neck ring is usually seen only at close range, while the white ring on the bill can be a prominent field mark. The females make a purring or rough growl ( kerp kerp ), while the males are usually silent. However, during displays they give a low-pitched hissing whistle like a person blowing through a tube. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/the_twin_sisters_winter/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/the_lions_winter.jpg Ch'ich'iyúy Elxwíkn (Twin Sisters) Ch'ich'iyúy Elxwíkn or the Twin Sisters are a pair of pointed peaks in the North Shore mountains. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/be_wings_spread_sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Bald_Eagles_Sidelight.jpg Bald Eagles Spreading Wings Two adult Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) at sunrise. At one time, the word 'bald' ( balde ) meant white, not hairless, referring to the white head and upper neck of the adult Bald Eagle. They can live up to 40 years in the wild. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_head_thrown_back/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_Head_Back_Screech.jpg Calling With Head Thrown Back An Adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) throws its head back at the end of its call. Another Bald Eagle was flying overhead as it was feeding on a salmon carcass on a sandbar in the middle of a river. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_-sunrise_-shrill/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BE_screech_sunrise.jpg Sunrise Shrill In the Winter, on a clear day, there is this golden sidelight at sunrise. I like this photo of a Juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) because it's an animalscape that shows the incredible beauty of the environment that it lives in. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_perched_in_fresh_snow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Juvenile_Snow.jpg Fresh Snow A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) perches on a log after a fresh snowfall. I like this photo because the snow covered logs create leading lines that draw the viewer's eye towards a specific point of interest, which is the juvenile Bald Eagle. What a great day, photographing this beautiful raptor. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/trumpeter_swans/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Trumpeter_Swans.jpg Serene Two adult Trumpeter Swans ( Cygnus buccinator ) and a juvenile in a mountain lake. They are North America's heaviest flying bird. To get that much mass aloft the swans need a 100 metre long 'runway' of open water. When they run hard across the surface they sound like galloping horses as they generate speed for takeoff. Trumpeters are assumed to mate for life, but some individuals do switch mates over their lifetimes. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/heron_at_top_of_tree/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/heron_at_top_of_tree.jpg Heron Perched at the Top of a Tree A Pacifc Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias fannini ) is perched at the top of a tree. When I took this photo it was nearly sunset on a crisp and clear Autumn day which created this beautiful side lit photograph. I liked how the setting sun lit the tree and the heron. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_snow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/bald_eagle_snow.jpg Bald Eagle in the Snow A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) takes off in the snow. A juvenile Bald Eagle has a brown body with brown and white mottled wings. I like this photo because you can see the Bald Eagle's eye in-between its wingtip feathers. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/heron_flying_in_the_rain/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/heron_rain.jpg Heron Flying In The Rain A Pacific Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias fannini ) flying in the rain with long wings, thin legs and a short tail. The biggest heron species in North America. A high ISO setting and a fast shutter speed allowed me to freeze the heron and the rain. I like how the heron's feet are perfectly aligned while flying. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/short_eared_owl_stump/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/SEO_Stump.jpg Male Short-eared Owl A male Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus ) perches briefly on a stump. They have such beautiful yellow and black eyes. Their diet consists primarily of small rodents with occasional small birds or large insects. Owls are so mysterious and magical, I never tire of photographing them. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_reflection/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/glide_reflection.jpg Bald Eagle Reflection A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) taking off from a tidal marsh is reflected in the water. They feed mainly on fish ( often scavenged ) and waterfowl captured in pursuit. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_legs_up/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/bald_eagle_legs_up.jpg Landing Gear Up Shortly after taking off from a tidal marsh this Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) retracts its legs to make itself more aerodynamic. In this photo I used a slower shutter speed which allowed the head and body to remain in focus, but there is some blur in the wingtips which conveys motion. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/coastal_fog_burning_off/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/CoastalFog.jpg Coastal Fog Early in the morning the coastal fog is slowly burned off by the rising sun. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/osprey_fish/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/OspreyFish.jpg Osprey and Fish The Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) is a unique species that feeds on fish it captures by hovering and then plunging feet-first into water. Ospreys fly with a marked kink in their wings, making an M-shape when seen from below, like in the photo. When flying with prey, an Osprey lines up its catch head first for less wind resistance. Ospreys are excellent anglers. Over several studies, Ospreys caught fish on at least 1 in every 4 dives, with success rates sometimes as high as 70 percent. The average time they spend hunting before making a catch is about 12 minutes. They migrate each winter to Central America and South America. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_downstroke/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BaldEagleTakeoff.jpg Downstroke A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) takes off from a tidal marsh. I was fortunate that the Bald Eagle flew directly towards me. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/reflected_clouds_silver_lake/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/CloudsReflection.jpg Reflected Clouds Early in the morning clouds are reflected in a mountain lake. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/black_cottonwood/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BlackCottonwood.jpg Black Cottonwood A Black Cottonwood ( Populus balsamifera ) grows on and receives nutrients from a decaying nurse log. I like the way the trees are reflected in the still water of the mountain lake. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/wading_greater_yellowlegs/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/WadingYellowlegs.jpg Wading Greater Yellowlegs This is a Greater Yellowlegs ( Tringa melanoleuca ) which is a long-legged wader. The Greater Yellowlegs is slightly bigger than the Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa flavipes ) and it has a bill that usually appears slightly upturned. They often feed actively, running after fish or other fast-moving aquatic prey. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/three_black_oystercatchers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/OC_Three.jpg Three Black Oystercatchers There are two closely related species of oystercatchers that are exclusively coastal. The Black Oystercatcher ( Haematopus bachmani ) are found on rocks, like in the photo. The American Oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliatus ), which has white underparts, is found on beaches and shellbars. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bo_drop_of_water/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/BO_Drop_of_Water.jpg A Drop of Water This Black Oystercatcher ( Haematopus bachmani ) had water dripping from its orange bill. I've noticed when photographing Black Oystercatchers that their black pupils are not perfectly circular. They have a part near the bottom of the pupil that bleeds into the iris. It seems consistent in all of the Black Oystercatchers. Although they don't swim, chicks will sometimes dive in the water to avoid predators. The Black Oystercatcher can live for more than 15 years. A group of oystercatchers are collectively known as a 'parcel' of oystercatchers. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/great_horned_owl_perched/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/GHOperched.jpg Great Horned Owl The Great Horned Owl ( Bubo virginianus ) is a powerful predator that can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself. When I took this photo I realized that they're rarely seen because they are nocturnal and due to their excellent camouflage. The colour of its feathers allowed it to blend in perfectly with the bark on the tree and the branch where it was perched.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seobankedturn/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0202.jpg Open-Country Hunter The Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus ) uses acute hearing to hunt small mammals and birds. One of the most globally widespread species of owls, it's absent only from Antarctica and Australia.  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seohunting/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0206.jpg Short-eared Owl The Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus ) is the most aerial of all the owls. They are sometimes confused with the Northern Harrier. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seoyelloweyes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0200.jpg Yellow Eyes Most owls are nocturnal, but the Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus ) can often be seen hunting rodents in daylight. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/baldeaglewingtipfeathers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/primaryfeathers.jpg Bald Eagle Wingtip Feathers A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) soars in the sky. Wingtip feathers in birds are aerodynamically efficient because of their torsional flexibility. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hmtakeoff/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/hmtakeoff.jpg Hooded Merganser Takeoff A female Hooded Merganser ( Lophodytes cucullatus ) during take-off. They use a combination of flapping their wings and running on the water. I like this photo because of the way the fast shutter speed froze the action and how the sun is lighting the head of the bird.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/powerandgrace/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/powerandgrace.jpg Power and Grace A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) shows its two metre wingspan. You can see in the photo that this Bald Eagle was watching me. They have super eyesight and can see four to seven times farther than humans. This bird of prey was not baited or called.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/island_bay/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/islandbay.jpg Island Bay It's difficult to capture the beauty of Haida Gwaii with a camera. Early in the morning I was up on the deck of the boat, watching the ever changing morning mist. In this photo I like the reflection of the islands in the water. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/steller_sleeping/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/stellarwave.jpg Sleeping Steller Sea Lion A Steller Sea Lion ( Eumetopias jubatus ) on a year-round haulout. Despite waves crashing against the rocks this Steller Sea Lion had no problem sleeping.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/eagle_takeoff/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/eagletakeoff.jpg Bald Eagle Liftoff A second year Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) takes off from a cliff in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve.  Haida Gwaii, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tree_swallow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/treeswallow.jpg Tree Swallow The Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor ) was first described in 1808 by Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, a French ornithologist. They are known to 'fight' over feathers in mid-air for reasons which are still under investigation. There is some speculation that this is a form of play.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/nh_perched_tree/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/nhtree.jpg Northern Harrier - Juvenile Female I usually see Northern Harrier's ( Circus hudsonius ) coursing low over fields or marshes, but this morning I was fortunate to see one perched in a tree. I got the impression that this female was a juvenile. They capture small birds and mammals with a pounce. The other birds were very upset the Northern Harrier was perched above them and refused to leave the safety of the tree's inner branches. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/black_oystercatcher_eye/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/bocresting.jpg I've Got My Eye On You This Black Oystercatcher ( Haematopus bachmani ) was resting and didn't seem alarmed by me, my camera and telephoto lens. However, it kept one eye on me just to be sure. There was an abundance of Black Oystercatcher's to photograph in Haida Gwaii. When I looked closely at my photos, I noticed that they have a slight imperfection in their eyes. They have bright orange eyerings, yellow eyes and black pupils. The black pupils aren't circular, they bleed a little bit of black into each of their yellow eyes. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grizzly_bear_human_infant/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/bearandchild.jpg Bear and Human Infant Mortuary Pole If you look closely at this Haida mortuary pole you can see that it depicts a bear and human infant. Unlike the other mortuary poles at SGang Gwaay, this mortuary pole doesn't have great symmetry. The Haida watchmen said a master carver did one side of the mortuary pole before passing away. His apprentice then finished the mortuary pole. I also learned the carver was from Raspberry Cove. SGang Gwaay, Ninstints ( Nans Dins ), Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rufous_hummingbird/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/rufoushummingbird.jpg Rufous Hummingbird in the Rain A Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus ) hovers in the rain. This hummingbird has the longest migration route of all North American hummingbirds. It has an excellent memory for location. They have been observed investigating where an absent feeder was located the previous year. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/logger_work_boot/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/loggersboot.jpg Nature Wins At the start of World War II this logging camp became a source of high quality Sitka spruce. The wood was light, strong and used to build aircraft, including the famous mosquito bomber. I found this logger work boot which is slowly being overgrown with moss.  Haida Gwaii, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/greater_yellowlegs/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/greateryellowlegs.jpg Greater Yellowlegs When I was watching this Greater Yellowlegs ( Tringa melanoleuca ) it was constantly bobbing its head. You can tell this is a Greater Yellowlegs by its slightly upturned bill.   Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rissos_dolphin/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/rissosdolphin.jpg Risso's Dolphin This was the first time I had ever seen a Risso's Dolphin ( Grampus griseus ). They usually live in the deeper water of the Continental Shelf. As the dolphins age, their body colour lightens, except for the dorsal fin and flippers. Like the one in the photo, they accumulate many white scars on the back and flanks, presumably from the teeth of other Risso's Dolphins and possibly the beaks and suckers of their squid prey. Unlike some other dolphins, they seldom ride the bow or wake of vessels.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/six_pigeon_guillemot/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/sixpigeonguillemot.jpg Pigeon Guillemots - Eye Contact The Pigeon Guillemot ( Cepphus columba ) is very closely related to the Black Guillemot. In the photo you can see their bright red feet. Their mouth lining is also bright red, but you can only see that when they are calling. A group of guillemots are collectively known as a 'bazaar' and a 'loomery' of guillemots.   Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/giant_plumose_anemone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/plumroseanemone.jpg Giant Plumose Anemone Giant Plumose anemone ( Metridium giganteum ) hanging from a ledge at low tide.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tufted_puffin/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/tuftedpuffin.jpg Tufted Puffin A Tufted Puffin ( Fratercula cirrhata ) comes in for a landing. It's a seabird of the open waters, islands and coastal cliffs of the north Pacific. The Tufted Puffin nests mostly in deep burrows that it digs into cliff edges and slopes. They can capture and hold multiple fish crosswise in its bill, routinely 5 to 20 fish at a time, for delivery to chicks at the nest. Adults eat their own food while still underwater. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/heron_chasing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/herons_chasing.jpg Territorial A good time to photograph birds is in the Spring and Fall. I wasn't sure if it was worthwhile, to get up early to photograph birds in July, but I'm sure glad I did. I came across four Pacific Great Blue Heron's ( Ardea herodias fannini ) wading slowly in quiet waters. One Pacific Great Blue Heron was very aggressive and was trying to chase the other heron's away.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killer_whale_mortuary/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/seawolftotem.jpg Killer Whale Mortuary Pole The village of SGang Gwaay is located off the west coast of Haida Gwaii. There is the remains of large cedar longhouses and carved mortuary or memorial poles. SGang Gwaay shows the relationship the Haida people have with the land and the sea. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To visit SGang Gwaay you have to ask permission from the Haida Watchmen who are site guardians and guides. It was magical, spiritual and emotional to visit this cultural site. SGang Gwaay, Ninstints ( Nans Dins ), Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sitka_black-tailed_deer_buck/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/sitkablacktaileddeer.jpg Sitka black-tailed deer Between 1878 and 1925, European settlers introduced 39 Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis ) to Haida Gwaii for hunting and amusement. Due to mild winters and a lack of predators like wolves and cougars the deer have flourished. Some of the islands that have deer have been described as moss deserts. The deer eat all the shrubs and there is no understory. Parks Canada and the Haida Nation started a project called Llgaay gwii sdiihlda ( restoring balance ) which is a large scale hunt on six different islands using contract sharpshooters from New Zealand.   Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pigeon_guillemot/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/pigeonguillemot.jpg Pigeon Guillemot The Pigeon Guillemot ( Cepphus columba ) is a medium sized seabird. As you can see in the photo, they have bright red feet. The Pigeon Guillemot often scales vertical rock faces by vigorous flapping of its wings combined with the use of the sharp claws on its webbed feet. It's one of the few members of the auk and puffin family to lay two eggs. Nearly all others lay only one egg. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/steller_sea_lion_rookery/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/largemale.jpg Steller Sea Lion Haulout A large male Steller Sea Lion ( Eumetopias jubatus ) hisses and roars. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/merganser_chicks/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/merganser.jpg Common Merganser and Young A female Common Merganser ( Mergus merganser ) with three of her young. I counted ten chicks swimming behind her.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/harbour_seals_haulout/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/harboursealsrocks.jpg Harbour Seals Haulout Harbour Seals ( Phoca vitulina ) spend about 20% of their time on land. They sleep lightly and wake frequently to scan for potential predators or other threats.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/king_steller_sea_lion/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/kingstellar.jpg King Steller Sea Lion Steller Sea Lions ( Eumetopias jubatus ) on a haulout. What I really like about this image is the young Steller Sea Lion on the right.   Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/black_bear_intertidal_zone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/blackbear.jpg Black Bear Foraging in the Intertidal Zone A Black Bear ( Ursus americanus carlottae ) walks along the beach. The Haida have respected this animal, calling bears Taan, or 'Brother of Man'. This bear was covered in pine needles and had scars on its snout, perhaps from fighting with other black bears. The Haida Gwaii black bears are larger than other black bears in North America. They are considered a 'keystone species' because they transport salmon remains into the surrounding forests of Haida Gwaii.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/belted_kingfisher/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/kingfisher.jpg Belted Kingfisher A Belted Kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyon ) is a fish-eating bird that is usually found in sheltered waters. This Belted Kingfisher is an adult male because it has a shaggy crest and doesn't have the chestnut-brown belly band that is seen on the female. I like this photo because of the branch, moss and nice green background.    Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_rock/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/eaglerock.jpg Juvenile Bald Eagle Perched on Rock A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) perches on a rock. This is a juvenile because of the white mottling. I like the background behind the Bald Eagle and composition of this photo. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/harbour_seal_and_pup/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/harboursealsocean.jpg Harbour Seal and Pup Two Harbour Seals ( Phoca vitulina ) in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. The mother is on the left and the pup is on the right. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sanderling/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/sanderling.jpg Sanderling One of my favourite photos from my trip to Haida Gwaii. A really soft and low level image of a Sanderling ( Calidris alba ).   Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/harbour_seal_rockweed/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/sealandrockweed.jpg Harbour Seal and Rockweed Harbour Seals ( Phoca vitulina ) were hunted for subsistence by First Nations along the British Columbia coast for thousands of years.  Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/de_havilland_beaver/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/dehavilland.jpg de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Access to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is either by boat or seaplane. With no roads, stores, cell phone coverage and little signage, it's a true wilderness experience. I was fortunate to sit in the front seat of this de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. This plane was built for operation in rugged and remote areas. It has a short take-off and landing capability, even with a full payload. Today, a Beaver that originally sold in the 1950's for under $50,000.00 can sell for prices reaching $500,000.00. I really enjoyed flying in this floatplane.   Haida Gwaii, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_irrigation/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0378.jpg Wheel Line Irrigation In a farmer's field this adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) was perched on a wheel line irrigation system. I like this image because I used a shallow depth of field and focused on the eye of the Bald Eagle. As a result, the wheel line irrigation system is out of focus or soft, creating an interesting bokeh and photo. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sharp_shinned_hawk/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0100.jpg Sharp-shinned Hawk This is a Immature Sharp-shinned Hawk ( Accipiter striatus ). They are agile fliers that speed through dense woods to surpise their prey, typically songbirds. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/signage/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/signage.jpg Icelandic Signage This interesting sign on a wooden fence in Iceland. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_perched_dead_tree/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/bald_eagle_perch.jpg Bald Eagle Perched on a Dead Tree Early in the morning I was taking images of this adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) perched on a dead tree. There was beautiful sidelight for this photo. Fraser River, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/heron_rocks/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4353.jpg Eroded Sandstone Eroded sandstone on Hornby Island and in the distance you can see fresh snow on the mountains of Vancouver Island. Hornby Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/annashummingbird/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/annashummingbird.jpg Anna's Hummingbird The Anna's hummingbird ( Calypte anna ) is the most common hummingbird along the Pacific coast. The male has iridescent emerald feathers and a sparkling rose-pink throat patch called a gorget. In their thrilling courtship displays, they climb to a height of 40 m and then swoop to the ground with a curious burst of noise that they produce through their tail feathers. The dive display lasts about 12 seconds. I have read that the heart of an Anna's hummingbird beats at 1260 beats per minute and they eat more insects than any other North American hummingbird. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_small_shed/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-4-2.jpg Enjoying the View A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) sits on the roof of a small shed.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/accidental_renaissance/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-2-3.jpg Accidental Renaissance A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) tries to prevent an adult Bald Eagle from taking its salmon carcass. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_driftwood/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-3-3.jpg Wet Feathers A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) perches on a piece of driftwood on a rainy day. I like the nice bokeh in this image. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/juvenile_bald_eagle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/juvenile.jpg Juvenile Bald Eagle A juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) eyes me suspiciously. A juvenile Bald Eagle is dark brown with variable white mottling on wings and tail for the first four years of life. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/four_bald_eagles/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7131.jpg Four Bald Eagles Four adult Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) sitting on a branch and watching the river below. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/drenched_bald_eagle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1148.jpg Drenched Bald Eagle Driftwood provides a perch for an adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) on a rainy day. They seem quite adaptable to changes in weather and temperature. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/the_stare/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/the_stare.jpg The Stare An adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) lands on a river sandbar.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/red_bokeh/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/red_bokeh.jpg Red Bokeh An adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) glides low above the river. I like this image because of the strong sidelight and the red leaves on the riverbank creates a beautiful bokeh in the background.   British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/the_fight/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-5.jpg Talons Extended One juvenile Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) swoops down with its talons extended while another juvenile Bald Eagle feeds on a salmon carcass. A juvenile Bald Eagle is dark brown with variable white mottling on wings and tail for the first four years of its life.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tail_feathers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-3-2.jpg Tail Feathers An adult Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) swoops down to retrieve a salmon carcass giving a clear view of its beak, feathers and talons. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle_landing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7038.jpg The Eagle Has Landed A Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) comes in for a landing on a gravel sandbar. In the photo you can clearly see its sharp and powerful talons.   British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/orca_tail_flukes_ventral/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7764.jpg Orca Tail Flukes This resident Orca ( Orcinus orca ) was photographed tail slapping. The Killer Whale is black in colour dorsally and white ventrally. Here you can see the ventral side of the Orca's tail flukes, which means it was swimming on its back. It seemed to be relaxing and playing as I watched it. The dark dorsal side makes it hard for prey to see it when it is coming up from below in deeper water. When prey is looking up in deeper water and towards the sun it sees the white ventral side of the killer whale.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/whiskers_sea_otter/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/whiskers.jpg Whiskers Curious sea otters ( Enhydra lutris ) checking out the human photographer. Although they can walk on land, sea otters spend most of their time living in the ocean. They have an exceptionally thick coat of fur, which is one of the densest in the animal kingdom.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pelagic/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-8.jpg Pelagic Cormorants The Pelagic Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax pelagicus ) is a small cormorant with a slender 'broomstick' neck and very thin bill. In the photo you can see its primary colours which include black, green, sheen and iridescence. They eat fish, crustaceans and can dive deep in coastal waters to feed on the sea bottom. The technical aspects of this photo involved using an aperture of f/5.6 which created a shallow depth of field. This resulted in the cormorant who was coming in for a landing on the rock being slightly out of focus. However, I still really liked the composition of the image. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/divingstellersealioin/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/sealiondiving.jpg The Decisive Moment A Steller Sea Lion ( Eumetopias jubatus ) dives into the ocean from its rookery. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/turkeyvulture/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/spreadwings.jpg Turkey Vulture The Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura ) is a carrion feeder who finds its food by smell. Like other carrion birds, Turkey Vultures are protected from disease associated with decaying animals by a very sophisticated immune system. The Turkey Vulture is often seen standing in a spread-wing stance which is called the 'Horaltic Pose'. It is believed to serve multiple functions: drying the wings, warming the body, and baking off bacteria. If enemies approach to closely, its primary form of defense is vomiting. Their vomit is foul smelling and the high amount of acid is strong enough to burn as well. This bird was photographed at or near the edge of its summer range. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killerwhalebreachside/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6544.jpg Killer Whale Breaching A Killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) breaches close to shore and lands on its side.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seaotterbullkelp/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3541.jpg Sea Otter in Bull Kelp A Sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) floats in the Bull kelp close to shore. The Sea otter puts its arm around the Bull kelp to anchor itself before falling asleep. Sea otters use rocks as tools to open shells by banging the shell as it rests on their stomachs. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killerwhalesstrait/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitledKW-3.jpg Resident Orcas Heading up the Strait Five resident Killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) swimming up the strait. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blackturnstone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitledBT-3.jpg Black Turnstone A Black Turnstone ( Arenaria melanocephala ) foraging amongst the Rockweed in the intertidal zone. The Black Turnstone shows strong site and mate fidelity when breeding. They nest at the same exact site with the same mate year after year.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/humpbackwhalefog/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitledHB-2.jpg Humpback Whale in the Fog Like something in a dream, a Humpback whale ( Megaptera novaenglia ) shows it's tail flukes before diving. The Humpback whale is known for its melodic song and for breaching the water with amazing acrobatic abilities. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/baldeaglemoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6023.jpg Bald Eagle and Moss Covered Branch A Bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) sits on a moss covered branch. A Bald eagle can live up to 40 years in the wild. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/commonmurre/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-2-2.jpg Takeoff A Common Murre ( Uria alle ) uses a combination of flapping its wings and running to take off from the ocean surface. When nesting the Common Murre can fly up to 200 kilometres to find food for its young. They are also a diving bird that will frequently dive to 100 m.   Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sunbathing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1790.jpg Sunbathing A Steller sea lion ( Eumetopias jubatus ) enjoying the sun. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rhinocerosauklet/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitledRA-2.jpg Rhinoceros Auklet The Rhinoceros Auklet ( Cerorhinca monocerata ) has a horn at the base of its bill. Even though it's called an auklet it's more closely related to a puffin.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/juvenilebaldeagle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3852.jpg Juvenile Bald Eagle A juvenile Bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) feeds along the shore while a crow waits in the background. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/coastalfog/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3905.jpg A Kaleidoscope of Colours In the month of August there is frequently coastal fog early in the morning. As the sun began to rise the fog started to burn off and it created these interesting colours in the trees. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killerwhalecruising/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7312.jpg Cruising A resident Killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) swims and exhales close to shore. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seaotterpup/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3165.jpg Sea Otter and Pup A Sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) mother carries her pup on her stomach. She spends much of her day caring for her pup through feeding, protecting, teaching and grooming. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dallsporpoise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2024.jpg Dreaming of Porpoise A Dall's porpoise ( Phocoenoides dalli ) swims just below the surface. The Dall's porpoise is the fastest swimming cetacean on the coast of British Columbia and can reach speeds up to 55 km/hr. They make a distinct 'rooster-tail' splash when travelling quickly.   Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/stellersealions/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled.jpg Steller Sea Lions Steller Sea Lions ( Eumetopias jubatus ) have a range of vocalizations as part of their territorial behaviour. They will use belches, growls, snorts and hisses to serve as a warning to others. While they are rather clumsy and slow on land they are very graceful and strong swimmers in the water.   Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/killerwhaleexhaling/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6245.jpg Orca Bull A bull killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) exhales after surfacing. The male killer whale has a taller and more triangular dorsal fin.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seaotterpurpleseaurchins/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5003.jpg Sea Otter Eating Purple Sea Urchins A Sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) floats on its back while concentrating on eating purple sea urchins ( Strongylocentrotus purpuratus ). Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/breachingkillerwhale/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7226.jpg Porpoising Killer Whale A female resident killer whale ( Orcinus orca ) porpoises close to shore. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/whaletail/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5815.jpg Humpback Whale Tail Flukes A Humpback whale ( Megaptera novaengliae ) shows its tail flukes before taking a deep dive. The humpback's pectoral fins are proportionally the longest fins of any cetacean, which makes it highly maneuverable.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blue_dome_tent/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9949.jpg The Blue Tent When I first viewed the blue tent I felt a little bit annoyed, but then I realized it was a positive contribution to the photo. Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/shade_of_blue/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3282.jpg A Distinctive Shade of Blue Its waters are the most amazing colour, a vivid shade of turquoise that changes in intensity through the summer as the glaciers melt. Set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and rock piles, creating a scene so stunning it almost seems unreal. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dance_herons/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2135.jpg The Dance of the Herons Nine Pacific Great Blue Herons ( Ardea herodias fannini ) lift off from a marsh. The main predator of the species in British Columbia is the Bald Eagle.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/beading_raindrops/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1172.jpg Raindrops Beading In the past I would usually venture out as a photographer during nice weather. Lately, I've realized that taking photos in the rain is really a wonderful opportunity. There is a peacefulness, few people around and the light is very soft. I was taking pictures of bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) and I like this photo because it's so sharp and you can see the raindrops beading on the raptors feathers. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/northern_harrier/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1207.jpg The Grey Ghost The Northern Harrier ( Circus hudsonius ) use their sense of hearing to help locate prey. They have an owl-like facial disk to help with directional hearing and soft feathers for a quieter flight. It is usually seen coursing low over fields or marshes, it captures small birds and mammals with a sudden pounce. The male, which is shown in the photo, has pale grey upper parts and throat, while the female plumage is dark brown blotched with rust. The longest lived known bird is 16 years and 5 months, however, adults rarely live more than 8 years. I like this photo because the raptor is looking right at me with it's beautiful yellow eyes. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/wood_duck/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0345.jpg Wood Duck The wood duck ( Aix sponsa ) is a distinctively North American species. They were nearly hunted to extinction during the late 19th and 20th centuries. There are now well over a million wood ducks in North America. The male wood duck ( shown in the photo ) is the most colourful of all the ducks. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bald_eagle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9516.jpg Bald Eagle The Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) can have a wingspan of more than two metres. It is Canada's largest bird of prey and in the winter they will sometimes gather by the hundreds. Its diet consists primarily of fish, however, if fish are scarce it will eat rabbits, squirrels and birds.   British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/swallowed_hole/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0033.jpg Swallowed Whole I was watching this Pacific Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias fannini ) hunting in the grass. It knew what it was looking for and caught this Townsend's vole. It tipped it's head back and swallowed it whole. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/the_king/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6507.jpg The King A grizzly bear makes it's way through the grass that grows along the riverbank. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/flicker/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8462.jpg Northern Flicker - Male ( Red Shafted ) The Northern Flicker ( Colaptes auratus ) is a type of woodpecker. You wouldn't expect to see a woodpecker on the ground, but the Northern Flicker spends a lot of time there digging for ants and beetles with their slightly curved bill. In eastern North America the Flickers flight-feather shafts are lemon yellow and in the west they are rosy red. The Northern Flicker has beautiful plumage and this particular bird with the red moustache stripe is a male. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/clouds_reflection/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9255.jpg The Reflection of Clouds I arrived at this location when it was still dark. At sunrise the orange and pink colours on the clouds were reflected in the still water. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, B.C. https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/banded_bird/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7459.jpg Banded Bird - Black Oystercatcher The black oystercatcher ( Haematopus bachmani ) moves slowly and methodically among wave splashed rocks along the ocean, stabbing limpets and mussels open or prying them off rocks. They may eat other shellfish including whelks, urchins and crabs. They have a bright orange bill, glaring yellow eyes with a contrasting orange eyering. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/natural_framing-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9301.jpg Natural Framing At sunrise there wasn't a breath of wind and the leaves of the Aspen trees were absolutely still. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, B.C. https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/golden_eagle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7235.jpg Golden Eagle This golden eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ) was about to take flight after being perched at the top of a tree. One way to identify a golden eagle is by its dark brown eyes. This large raptor alternates deep slow wing beats with glides and soars on thermals. Its diet consists primarily of small mammals such as rabbits, it will also eat birds, reptiles and carrion. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/magical_river/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3738.jpg Magical River A grizzly bear with a freshly caught pink salmon. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/skgafoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6618.jpg Hrafnafifa Scheuchzer's cottongrass or white cottongrass. In Iceland it is known as Hrafnafifa. The scientific name is Eriophorum scheuchzeri. Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 15 metres and a drop of 60 metres. The cliffs are the former coastline. Skógafoss, Skógar, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/last_days_summer/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4153.jpg The Last Days Of Summer A grizzly bear sow and her cub bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/patient_fisherman/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4255.jpg The Patient Fisherman This is one of my favourite photos, the grizzly bear is very sharp and I like the background. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/caught_pink_salmon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3732.jpg Fresh Pink Salmon A grizzly bear is successful catching a pink salmon. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/portrait/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5600.jpg Grizzly Cub Portrait A grizzly bear has a large, round head and a dished or concave face. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/looking_serious/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6854.jpg Looking Serious Many grizzly bears have natural highlights. Frosted tips on their hair give them a grizzled look, hence the name. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/brown_eyes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7941.jpg Dark Brown Eyes This grizzly bear seemed to be having fun digging and rolling around in the mud. Each grizzly bear has its own personality. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blade_of_grass/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7771.jpg Chewing On A Blade Of Grass A male grizzly bear can weigh from 250 kg to 350 kg and a female can weigh from 125 kg to 175 kg. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/relaxing_riverbank/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7524.jpg Relaxing On The Riverbank This grizzly bear cub was content to sit on the riverbank and watch its mother fishing for salmon. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/cute_cub/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6642.jpg Cute Cub This grizzly bear cub had a mane and beautiful dark brown ears. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/watching_mom/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5301.jpg Along The Riverbank The grizzly bear has a very prominent muscle mass over its shoulders which creates a noticeable hump. The rump is lower than the shoulders on a grizzly. The rump is higher than the shoulders on a black bear. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/family_portrait/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5153.jpg Family Portrait Grizzly bears are omnivores, and their diet can vary widely. They may eat seeds, berries, roots, grasses, fungi, deer, elk, fish, dead animals and insects. In the late summer and early fall, grizzlies enter hyperphagia, a period of 2 to 4 months when they intensify their calorie intake to put on weight for winter denning. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/moving_up_river/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4968.jpg Moving Up The River Contrary to popular belief, the grizzly bear is not a true hibernator. In the winter its body temperature may drop a few degrees and its respiration may slow slightly, but it can remain active all winter. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hind_legs/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4852.jpg Standing On Hind Legs This grizzly bear was standing on its hind legs while it was fishing for salmon. By standing up it could locate the salmon in the river. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grizzly_bear_cub/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4558.jpg Grizzly Cub This grizzly bear cub always followed closely behind its mother. It was watching and learning as its mother was fishing in the river.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sow_and_cub/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4445.jpg Grizzly Sow And Cub This grizzly bear sow and cub were fishing by the river when they were startled by another grizzly bear that was moving along the riverbank. The sow is very protective and they quickly moved up into the forest. They were looking for the other grizzly bear to see which direction it was moving.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/eye_contact/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4404.jpg Eye Contact Grizzly bears are good swimmers and very comfortable in the water. They put their head underwater when looking for salmon. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/kingdom/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4311.jpg The Kingdom Of The Grizzly Bear As this grizzly bear stands on a rock you can see its 5 cm to 10 cm claws. These claws are associated with grizzly bears exceptional digging ability and are used for digging in the ground for roots, insects and ground squirrels. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/caught_salmon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3690.jpg Grizzly Bear Fishing The grizzly bear, river and salmon is an important environmental relationship. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/chasing_salmon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3599.jpg Grizzly Bear Chasing A Salmon A grizzly bear chasing a salmon in the river.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/shake/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3422.jpg The Grizzly Bear Shake After fishing in the river this grizzly bear shakes itself dry. The shaking begins at the head area, which provides a solid point for the energy wave to propagate down the bear's body. The head can also twist more, resulting in higher amplitude waves. The shaking is very precise and effective. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/three_bears/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2890.jpg The Three Bears The grizzly sow or mother is on the right with the red fur coat. Her cubs, which are nearly as big as her, have dark brown fur. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mlafjall/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8369.jpg Múlafjall As I travelled around the Hvalfjörður fjord I experienced this beautiful rainbow at the end of the day. This is looking towards the Botnsdalur valley. Hvalfjörður​ Fjord, West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/beauty/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7758.jpg Beauty A beautiful summer sunset at the waterfall of the gods.  Goðafoss, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/yellow-monkey-flowers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2663.jpg Yellow Monkey Flowers Yellow monkey-flower ( Mimulus guttatus ) is a beautiful little flower common in wet seepage areas. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grindavik/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8729.jpg Traffic Mirror A traffic mirror in the coastal town of Grindavik where most of the residents are involved in the fishing industry. Grindavik, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/horse_jockey/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/thoroughbred.jpg The Thoroughbred At the Hastings Park Race Track the horses are exercised early in the morning. I spent some time using a slow shutter speed, panning the camera with the action and snapping the shutter. I like this photo because the jockey is stationary and for the most part in focus. The background and legs of the galloping horse are blurred which conveys a sense of motion and speed. I also like the flying tail of this beautiful animal. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/amazing_orange/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/island-2.jpg Orange Glow Just before sunrise the sky behind a small island in the Johnstone Strait had a beautiful orange glow. Johnstone Strait, Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/double_decker_buses/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3704.jpg A Trio Of Double Decker Buses I was surprised to find on a small island along the coast of British Columbia a trio of double decker buses. The Bristol Lodekka double decker bus was made in England from 1949 to 1968.  British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/island_sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2211.jpg Sunrise Glow At first I thought the cloud bank would ruin any chance of an amazing sunrise. However, the sun rising and the wispy clouds created a beautiful orange glow behind a small island in the Johnstone Strait.  Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/natural_framing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/framing.jpg Sunset In Johnstone Strait Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/starburst/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2117.jpg Sunrise In Johnstone Strait Most of the time the weather was rainy and overcast. I was fortunate to get a couple of days with a combination of sun and clouds. Cold fingers didn't prevent me from photographing this well positioned sunburst. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dragon_drinks/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7898.jpg The Dragon Drinks When I arrived at this location there was heavy rain and it didn't look very promising for taking photos. I fell asleep to the sound of rain hitting the roof of the car. Around 3:00 a.m. I woke up to see the storm was clearing and there was a fiery sunrise as the sun rose below the low cloud ceiling. I quickly grabbed my camera gear and ran down the trail to the beach. After setting up my tripod the beautiful light disappeared as the sun rose above the clouds. I was kicking myself for sleeping through a spectacular sunrise. Hvítserkur, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/whooper_swans/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8176.jpg Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/joffre_peak_plumes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-3.jpg Joffre Peak and Snow Plumes High winds create snow plumes on the summit of Joffre Peak ( 2721 m ). Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mount_currie/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-2.jpg Winter Mist Early in the morning a winter mist hangs over the trees in Mount Currie, British Columbia. Mount Currie, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/snowfall_coast_mountains/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5786.jpg Beautiful Light Early in the morning the clouds were breaking up and the sun was coming out. The scene and light was constantly changing by the minute. Coast Mountains, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mount_garibaldi_sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1957.jpg Last Light on Mount Garibaldi As the sun sets behind another mountain the last light of the day shines on the summit of Mount Garibaldi. It only lasted a few minutes but the light was magical. Mount Garibaldi was first climbed in 1907 and is one of the few Cascade volcanoes that is made exclusively of dacite. Atwell peak ( 2655 m ) is the sharp pyramid at the front and the true summit of Mount Garibaldi ( 2678 m ) lies directly behind it.   Coast Mountains, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/zabriskie_pink/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7012.jpg Zabriskie Pink Death Valley National Park, California, USA https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/manly_beacon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5631.jpg First Light on Manly Beacon This location was named after Christian Brevoort Zabriskie, vice president and general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company in the early 20th century. The company's twenty mule teams were used to transport borax from its mining operations in Death Valley. Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/telescope_peak/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5010.jpg Badwater Basin and Telescope Peak Telescope Peak is the highest point within Death Valley National Park and is also notable for having one of the greatest vertical rises above local terrain of any mountain in the United States. Its summit rises 11,331 feet above the lowest point in Death Valley, Badwater Basin which is 279 feet below sea level. Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/scottys_castle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5404.jpg Spiral Staircase Construction began on Scotty's Castle in 1922 and cost between $1.5 and $2.5 million. Prospector, performer and con man Walter Scott also known as 'Death Valley Scotty', convinced Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson to invest in his gold mine in the Death Valley area. Though initially angered when the mine turned out to be fraudulent, Johnson was fascinated with the colourful Scott and the two men struck up an unlikely friendship. Scotty's Castle, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/branch_dune/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7738.jpg Branch and Sand Dune Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/stone_shadow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7810.jpg Strolling Stone and Shadow At sunrise I liked the shadow that this strolling stone cast on the playa. The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/footsteps/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7031.jpg Footsteps Sometimes you're so busy concentrating on what's in front of you, that you fail to see what's behind you. At sunrise I was looking for a nice composition in the sand dunes when I turned around and looked at this sand dune I had just walked down. I like the alpenglow on the mountains which only lasted a few minutes.   Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gjogv_flowers_church/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0222.jpg Marsh Marigold Flowers and Church Gjógv, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/strollers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0011.jpg Strollers For Sale A collection of colourful strollers outside of a store in Tórshavn. The capital city of the Faroe Islands urban area has a population of about 19,000 people.   Tórshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dunes_mountains-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-7146.jpg Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes I love hiking out into the sand dunes all alone at sunrise. In this image I like how you can see the sand dunes and the hills in the distance. Death Valley National Park, California, USA https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/golden_wave/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5537.jpg The Wave The way the wind had created this sand dune was amazing. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/borg_strolling_stone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7829.jpg The Borg Death Valley National Park, California, USA https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rills/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-6079.jpg Hoodoo and Rills Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/teakettle/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5353.jpg Teakettle Junction At Teakettle Junction in Death Valley National Park people from all over the world leave a teakettle hanging on this National Park sign. Death Valley National Park, California, USA https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mare_bond_foal/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9840.jpg The Bond Between Mare and Foal This foal was a little bit shy and suspicious of the human with the camera. It hid behind its mother until it became comfortable with my presence. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dyrhlaeyjarviti_lighthouse/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6629.jpg Dyrhólaeyjarviti and Reynisdrangar This image was taken very early in the morning at 4:00 a.m. There was this combination of beautiful golden light and clouds. The lighthouse was built in 1927. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/black_church/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8023.jpg Two Birds Can you see the two birds in the photo? This is Búðakirkja, the black church at Búðir on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. Búðakirkja, Búðir, Iceland​ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/athabasca_falls_sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-6642.jpg Athabasca Falls As I stood here taking this image I noticed an American Dipper flying in the spray of the falls. This small dark gray bird lives above and below the falls and wades, swims and dives for insects and small fish. It likes to live near swift flowing mountain streams or rivers. Mount Kerkeslin is in the background. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rocky_mountain_church/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-6057.jpg Rocky Mountain Church Morley Flats, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/arctic-terns-iceberg/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7320.jpg Arctic Terns Resting on an Iceberg Late in the evening Arctic Terns rest on an iceberg. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/farmers-shed/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8551.jpg The Horseshoe A farmers shed in Southwest Iceland. Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seyisfjordur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7485.jpg Happy Go Lucky This abandoned farmhouse along the fjord had the graffiti Happy Go Lucky spray painted on it. Eastfjords, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ladder-herring-tank/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7883.jpg The Ladder Abandoned herring processing plant. Westfjords, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/icebergs-moraines/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6957.jpg Icebergs and Moraines Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ingjaldshll/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8085.jpg Ingjaldshóll and Snaefellsjokull Snæfellsjökull serves as the entrance to the subterranean journey in Jules Verne's classic science fiction novel, Journey to the Centre of the Earth ( 1864 ). West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/arnarstapi-stapafell/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8048.jpg Sea Sculpted Rock Formations and House This is one of my favourite fishing villages in all of Iceland. I was taking images very early in the morning in the harbour and there was a small fish processing plant. A window was open near the top of the building and as I was taking photos I could hear big band music and songs by singers like Frank Sinatra. A moment I'll always remember. West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grey-seal/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7250.jpg Grey Seal The Grey Seal or Halichoerus grypus.  South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/lupines/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC6445.jpg Lupines Along the Riverbank The Alaskan 'Wolf' Lupine was introduced to Iceland to correct soil erosion. However, the Alaskan Lupine is spreading like a wildfire and outcompeting Iceland's established plants. Southwestern Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/goafoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7744.jpg Goðafoss Also known as the 'Waterfall of the Gods'. North - Central Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gatklettur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8141.jpg Arch Rock Sunrise West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/river-bowl/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7777.jpg Water Sculpted River Bowl North Central Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/skaftafellsjkull/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7034.jpg Lemon Yellow Sun Arms Raised In A V I used my camera timer and tripod to take this self portrait in Vatnajökull National Park. I hiked up the lateral moraine of the glacier. This is one of Iceland's glaciers that is melting at an alarming rate due to global warming. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/herring-factory/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7850.jpg Abandoned Herring Factory Westfjords, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/eurasian-golden-plover/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7100.jpg Eurasian Golden Plover This beautiful Eurasian Golden Plover or Pluvialis apricaria must have been a parent with a nest and young nearby. As I walked down the trail it was running along in front of me and feigning a broken wing. This distraction display is similar to what I've seen done by a Killdeer. The bird is attempting to lead you way from it's nest and young. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/glacial-ice/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC7421.jpg Glacial Ice South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/kirkjufell-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC8274.jpg Kirkjufell Mountain Sunset The most spectacular sunset I've ever seen. I like the sunlight on Kirkjufell mountain. Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/two-snowbirds/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9866.jpg Two Snowbirds and Mount Baker British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/lone-snowbird/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9574.jpg Lone Snowbird and Mount Baker British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/snowbirds-mount-baker/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9529.jpg The Snowbirds and Mount Baker Canadian Forces Snowbirds ( 431 Air Demonstration Squadron ) British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/super-hornet/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0104.jpg USN F/A - 18 Super Hornet and Moon British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pacific-great-blue-heron/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC9144.jpg Pacific Great Blue Heron A Pacific Great Blue Heron ( Area hernias fanning ) feeding in the shallow water of a bay. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mount-athabasca-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/untitled-6406.jpg Mount Athabasca Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/frank-island-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-7017.jpg After the Storm Late in the day a storm passed through the area with heavy rain and thunder. After it had cleared there was this spectacular sunset. Tofino, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sand-dune-avalanche/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-8072.jpg Sand Dune Avalanche Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/horseshoe-shaped-cloud/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-8080.jpg The Cloud As I was exploring the Mesquite Flat sand dunes this horseshoe shaped cloud drifted overhead. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ochre-sea-stars/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-3766.jpg Ochre Sea Stars Orange and purple Pisaster ochraceus at sunset Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/license-plates/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-2800.jpg License Plates Tofino, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fishing-boat-containers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/20100829-_DSC0897.jpg Fishing Boat Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/suspension-bridge-reflection/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/20100904-_DSC1077.jpg Lions Gate Bridge Reflection Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/celebration-of-light/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4028.jpg Celebration of Light Burrard Street Bridge, Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mount-habrich/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4276.jpg Mount Habrich At sunrise the mist drifts slowly through the trees beneath Mount Habrich. British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/magenta-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3516.jpg Magenta Sunset Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blackcomb-glacier/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie--2.jpg Making Tracks One of my favourite places to ski. Blackcomb Glacier, Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gray-jay/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie--3.jpg Friendly Whiskey Jack A Gray Jay or Whiskey Jack perched on my snowshoe. Cypress Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/giant-sea-stacks/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0116.jpg Giant Sea Stacks The sun sets behind the sea stacks Risin and Kellingin.   Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/arctic-terns/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8211.jpg Arctic Terns Arctic Terns resting on an iceberg. These birds are usually in constant motion. It was rare to see them sitting still for an extended period of time. Jökulsárlón, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/victory-square/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7543.jpg Victory Square Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/chesterman-beach/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7106.jpg West Coast Sunset Chesterman Beach, Tofino, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/trees-shadows/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5686.jpg Trees and Shadows Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/joffre-peak-mount-matier/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5980.jpg Fresh Snow This image shows Joffre Peak ( 8927 feet ) in the foreground and Mount Matier ( 9131 feet ) in the background. To the left, below Mount Matier is the Anniversary glacier. If you look closely you can see four backcountry skiers making their way up the glacier. Coast Mountains, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/nine-plane-formation/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1347.jpg The Snowbirds - Nine Plane Formation The Snowbirds perform in their Canadair CT-114 Tutors. This plane was used by the Canadian Forces as a standard jet trainer between the early 1960s and 2000.  Abbotsford Airshow https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/flying-fortress/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1928.jpg Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress The nose art features Betty Grable the number one pinup girl of the World War II era. The aircraft's name takes after a song made very popular by Doris Day in 1945. Abbotsford Airshow https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/breitling-six-plane-formation/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2140.jpg Breitling Jet Team - Six Plane Formation Abbotsford, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/breitling-mount-baker/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1953.jpg Breitling Jet Team and Mount Baker Abbotsford, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seven-plane-formation/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1665.jpg The Snowbirds The Snowbirds perform one of their seven plane formations at the Abbotsford airshow. Abbotsford, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/remembrance-day-boots/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-1394.jpg Remembrance Day Ceremony Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/crane-reflection/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie--4.jpg The Crane Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pink-clouds/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-6116.jpg Pink Clouds at Sunset One of the richest dinosaur fossil locations in the world. There have been 40 species of dinosaurs discovered in the park. At dusk I could hear choruses of coyotes and see mule deer in the valley below. Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/badlands-cirrus-clouds/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/Zabriskie-6094.jpg Badlands and Cirrus Clouds Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/virgin-river-rapids/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6620.jpg Red Sandstone Virgin River, Zion National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/checkerboard-sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6453.jpg Checkerboard Mesa at Sunrise Zion National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fleeting-light-narrows/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6563.jpg Reflected Light in the Narrows At the top of the Narrows the canyon becomes wider. The sunlight was being reflected back into the narrow part of the canyon to create this very beautiful light. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/virgin-narrows/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6630.jpg Virgin River Narrows It took three hours of wading up the Virgin River to get to this place in the Narrows. It was the end of the day and I saw this beautiful light on the sandstone canyon wall. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/orange-hoodoos/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6819.jpg First Light on the Hoodoos As the sun rose the hoodoos were a beautiful red, orange and white.  Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/three-hoodoos-amphitheatre/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6813.jpg Three Hoodoos Looking down from the rim of the amphitheatre on these three hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/jagged-formations/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6765.jpg Hoodoos Rock Formations The red, orange and white colours of these rock formations was spectacular. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/horseshoe-bend/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6832.jpg Horseshoe Bend This meander of the Colorado river is located near the town of Page, Arizona. Colorado River, Arizona https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/amphitheater-sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6801.jpg Bryce Canyon Amphitheater The rim of the amphitheater is between 8,000 and 9,000 feet. It was cold at this altitude, but I witnessed a beautiful sunrise. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/virgin-river/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6703.jpg Virgin River and Angels Landing Angels Landing at sunset and Cottonwood trees along the Virgin River. The hike to the top of Angels Landing is very popular and challenging. The last half mile of the trail to the top involves a climb with carved-out footfalls and anchor-bolted chains. At times it's only 5 feet wide with a 1,000 foot drop to the canyon floor on either side. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/canyon-overlook/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_6489.jpg Canyon Overlook Zion National Park, Utah https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dog-snow-ghosts/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5853.jpg The Dog These beautiful snow ghosts were located near the summit. The one in the foreground looks like a dog where you are able to distinguish its eye, nose, muzzle, front and rear legs and the base of its tail. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grouse-mountain/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5864.jpg Night Lights When the sun sets the lights in the lower mainland come on creating this beautiful scene. North Shore Mountains, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/snowshoeing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5775.jpg The Snowshoers Two snowshoers enjoying the fresh snow near the summit of Mount Seymour. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/winter-wonderland/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5595.jpg A Winter Wonderland Early in the morning I had this location all to myself. In the distance you can see Mount Baker. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/summit-trees/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5671.jpg Close To The Summit As the sun rose the clouds and mist slowly started to burn off, revealing this beautiful winter scene. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/clouds-trees/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5766.jpg After The Snowfall The clouds started to break up and moved slowly through the trees. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/cornice/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5646.jpg The Cornice Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/snow-ghosts/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5721.jpg Snow Ghosts On the summit of Mount Seymour the snow and wind creates these beautiful snow ghosts. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/moonrise-garibaldi/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC1179.jpg Moonrise Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mamquam-mountain/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4322.jpg Mamquam Mountain At sunrise the clouds and mist slowly burn off. Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/garibaldi-clouds/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4312.jpg Mount Garibaldi Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/strolling-stone-sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5287.jpg A Scientific Mystery These strolling or sailing stones are boulders that mysteriously move across the playa. The Racetrack, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/salt-formations/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5498.jpg Salt Formations Badwater, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mesquite-flat-dunes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5554.jpg Sunset in the Sand Dunes I like the contrast between the light and dark in this image. Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/perseverance/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5092.jpg Perseverance Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/vectorial-elevation/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3339.jpg Vectorial Elevation The Vectorial Elevation was an interactive art project during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/shoefiti/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7388.jpg Shoefiti Shoefiti or Shoe Tossing is the practice of throwing shoes whose shoelaces have been tied together so that they hang from overhead wires such as power lines or telephone cables. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rising-moon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7297.jpg Rising Moon Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/edith-cavell-pond/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3901.jpg Edith Cavell Pond Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tjornuvik-beach/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0256.jpg Tjornuvik Beach The black sand beach at Tjornuvik with the sea stacks Risin and Kellingin in the distance. I like how the stream cuts through the sand before emptying into the North Atlantic ocean. Stremoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blue-wooden-sailing-ship/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0309.jpg Wooden Sailing Ship A wooden sailing ship sails towards Sundini. Sundini, Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/argir/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9777.jpg Fishing Boat Argir, Stremoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bus-stop/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9708.jpg The Bus Stop I was driving early in the morning, there was thick fog and I came across this bus stop. Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/cemetery/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9635.jpg Torshavn's Old Cemetery This old cemetery had ancient moss covered headstones and gnarled trees twisted into curious shapes by the ferocious winds. Torshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/olavskirkjan/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9674.jpg Church Gate The whitewashed parish church at Kirkjubour, dedicated to St Olav, is the oldest still in use in the Faroe Islands. Originally built sometime during the 12th century, most probably around 1111, it served as a cathedral throughout the medieval period. Olavskirkjan, Kirkjubour, Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green-algae/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0418.jpg Green Algae Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/wind-dried-fish/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9582.jpg Wind Dried Fish Gjogv, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gjogv-sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9522.jpg Sunrise at Gjogv Gjogv, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sorvagur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9890.jpg Sorvagur Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gjogv-church/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9558.jpg White and Green Church The white and green church was built in 1929. It was here that the first consecration service was held in Faroese, marking a major milestone in the acceptance of Faroese, not Danish, as the national language. In 1870 half the male population of Gjogv was drowned when two eight-man boats went down. Gjogv, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fishing-boats/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0057.jpg Fishing Boats It was so calm early in the morning the water was like glass. Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/red-bike/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0495.jpg The Red Bike Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gasadalur-green-algae/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9950.jpg The Waterfall I feel very fortunate I was able to spend time with my camera in such a beautiful country. Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bosdalafossur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0403.jpg Bosdalafossur The waterfall carries the lake into the ocean after flowing over this area of basalt rock. Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/wooden-sailing-ships/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0331.jpg Foroya Regatta Wooden sailing ships participating in the Foroya Regatta which took place from July 3rd to July 5th in 2015. In the background are the two sea stacks Risin ( 71 metres ) and Kellingin ( 69 metres ). Sundini, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/boathouse/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9996.jpg The Boathouse This 6 kilometre long body of water is renowned for its extensive stocks of fish. Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/stormy-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0368.jpg Stormy Sunset It didn't look very promising when I arrived at this location for taking photos. I patiently waited and as the sun was setting the clouds started to break up. There was some amazing light which is difficult to capture with a digital camera.  Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fog-lions-gate-bridge/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5519.jpg Lions Gate Bridge and Downtown Vancouver Early morning fog engulfs the Lions Gate Bridge, the trees in Stanley Park and tall buildings in downtown Vancouver. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blue-boats/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9930.jpg Blue Boats Tindholmur looks like a giant shark dorsal fin. It's 262 metres high and it was once inhabited. The free-standing rocks stacks are called Drangarnir.  Bour, Vagar, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/marsh-marigold/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0203.jpg Marsh Marigold and Church The Marsh Marigold is the national flower of the Faroe Islands. Gjogv, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/last-light/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC0150.jpg Last Light I was actually shooting images in the opposite direction when I turned around and saw the last light of the day illuminating the top of this mountain. I like the feeling the mist evokes and how the fence posts leads your eye into the photo.  Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/clothesline/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9443.jpg Drying Clothes on a Clothesline In the village of Tjornuvik clothes dry on a summer day. The sea stacks Risin and Kellingin are visible in the distance. On this beach a Viking burial site was found. It consisted of 12 graves, a fragment of a knife, a bronze buckle, a boat nail and a ring-headed bronze pin. Archaeologists dated the find to the 10th or early 11th century.  Tjornuvik, Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/horses/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9437.jpg Horses I saw a lot of horses in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. They seem to spend most of their time huddled together seeking shelter and warmth from the wind and the rain. Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/funningur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9509.jpg Funningur at Midnight Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tjornuvik/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9461.jpg The Village of Tjornuvik This beautiful settlement is surrounded on three sides by towering mountain walls. The village lies in what the Faroese call a botnur which is a glacial circular valley formed during the ice age. In 1633 and 1868 rockfalls virtually destroyed the tiny settlement. Streymoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/risin-kelligin/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9480.jpg Risin and Kelligin Sea Stacks The two sea stacks Risin ( 71 metres ) and Kellingin ( 69 metres ) are the remains of a giant and giantess who came to the Faroes to tow them north to Iceland. The female giant climbed up nearby Eioiskollur mountain to attach a rope. The mountain cracked, which is visible in the photo. This delayed matters, which finally came to an end when daylight turned the two giants into stone.    Eysturoy, Faroe Islands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/strokkur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0296.jpg Strokkur and Full Moon Geysir is the original water spout for which all other geysers around the world are named. The great Geysir once shot water up to 80 m into the air. Sadly, in the 1950's tourists threw rocks into the spring in an attempt to set it off and it became clogged. Today, it erupts very infrequently. Right next to it is the geyser Strokkur which erupts every 10 minutes or so and shoots water 15 m to 30 m into the air. During the day there were busloads of tourists, but early in the morning I had the place all to myself.  Geysir, Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/basketball-hoop/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0004.jpg The Basketball Hoop This area was called 'The Heart Park' and it no longer exists. Graffiti Park, Reykjavik, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/seljalandsfoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0029.jpg Seljalandsfoss I walked behind the falls to take some images and my camera got thoroughly soaked. Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hraunfossar-lava-field/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9903.jpg Hraunfossar - Purple and Yellow Flowers West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/oxararfoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0216.jpg Oxararfoss Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/turquoise-blue/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3221.jpg Turquoise Blue and Green Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mout-bowlen/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3188.jpg Mountain Light Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mount-baker-sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5348.jpg Mount Baker Sunrise A wonderful way to spend the last day of 2015. I got up early in the morning and went snowshoeing in the Coast mountains. Mount Seymour Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fog-trees/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4251.jpg Fog and Trees Coast Mountains, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/scrub-pine-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC4159.jpg Scrub Pine Coast Mountains, Southwestern British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blue-lagoon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0555.jpg Blue Lagoon Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/black-lava/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0534.jpg Lava Field Sunrise This tortured black lava field was covered in mist early in the morning. As the sun rose, standing in this landscape was like being on another world.  Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gullfoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0137.jpg Gullfoss Gullfoss 'Golden Falls' drops 32 metres before thundering away down a narrow ravine. Southwest Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pixelstick-blue/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5198.jpg Painting With Light - Blue Brassaï was a Hungarian photographer who took pictures of Paris in the late 1920's. He wandered the streets of Paris late at night and captured the essence of the city in his photographs. Making photographs in the dark bistros and darker streets presented a difficult technical problem. Brassai's solution was direct, primitive and perfect. He focused his small plate camera on a tripod, opened the shutter when ready and fired a flashbulb. I have his book Brassai: Paris by Night and would recommend it to any photographer. This photo was taken in the spirit of Brassai. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rush-hour/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5121.jpg Rush Hour I like how this long exposure captured all three colours ( red, yellow and green ) of the traffic light. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pixelstick-green/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC5222.jpg Painting With Light - Green I used my light stick to create this image. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/graffiti-park/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0007.jpg Graffiti Park This area called 'The Heart Park' has been demolished. Reykjavik, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/icebergs-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9406.jpg Icebergs in a Glacial Lake Some of these icebergs were the size of a house. Every now and then they would slowly begin to roll or turn over and it was awe-inspiring to see. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/midnight-sun/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9187.jpg Land of the Midnight Sun South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hverir/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9639.jpg Tourists and Fumaroles A lunar like landscape of mud cauldrons, steaming vents, radiant mineral deposits and piping fumaroles. Hverir, North Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hellnar/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7612.jpg Red and White Church Pews Hellnar, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dyrholaey/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8037.jpg Sea Stack Dyrholaey and Reynisdrangur, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hatun/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8060.jpg Peaceful Vik, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tree-grave/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8007.jpg From Death Comes New Life South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hraunfossar-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9900.jpg Hraunfossar Western Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/strandarkirkja/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0361.jpg Strandarkirkja Selvogur, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fishing-trawler/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0474.jpg Fishing Trawler Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/broodmare-foal/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9806.jpg Foal and Mare Momma is always close by. West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/rainbow/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9515.jpg Rainbow at Mjoifjordur (Population: 35) After a rain shower passed through the fjord a beautiful rainbow was visible for a few minutes. East Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hvitserkur/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9870.jpg Hvitserkur A 15 metre high sea stack that is home to nesting seabirds. Also known as the stone cow. North Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/foal/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9888.jpg Icelandic Foal West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/washing-line/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9520.jpg Washing Line Egilsstaoir, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/super-dc-3/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9034-2.jpg Super DC-3 On Saturday November 24, 1973 a United States Navy Douglas Super DC-3 airplane was forced to land on Sólheimasandur’s black sand beach in the south of Iceland after experiencing some severe icing. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ring-road/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9253.jpg The Ring Road The Ring Road is 1300 kilomteres of mostly paved highway that was completed in 1974. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bolti/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8313.jpg Bolti Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/glacial-lake-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9219.jpg Glacial Lake Sunset At the end of the day there was no wind and sidelight on the icebergs for a few minutes. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/virkisjokull/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8419.jpg Virkisjokull Glacier Impressive ice formations and crevasses in Virkisjokull glacier. Near Skaftafell in Southeast Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/arctic-tern-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9404.jpg Arctic Tern and Icebergs I love this photo of an Arctic Tern sitting on top of an iceberg and surveying its kingdom. The Arctic tern migrates from Antarctica to Iceland each summer, which is a round trip of about 70,000 kilometres. When flying they beat their wings effortlessly, gliding and sometimes they dip down to catch prey near the surface of the ocean. They are fiercely defensive of their nesting grounds and will dive bomb you. When I was walking with my camera and tripod I would often see them returning to their young with a sand eel in their beak that they had just caught in the ocean. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/eyelashes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7788.jpg Beautiful Eyelashes I enjoyed taking images of the Icelandic horses. On this day it was windy and there was golden light just before sunset. West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/graveyard_gate/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8842.jpg Graveyard Gate South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/glacial_ice/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9245.jpg 1000 Year Old Glacial Ice Chunks of glacial ice are washed up on a beach with black volcanic sand by the North Atlantic ocean. North Atlantic Ocean, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/church_sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0503.jpg Church at Sunset Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/surfer/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3026.jpg The Surfer A lone surfer contemplates the surf. Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/green_algae-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2984.jpg Green Algae At low tide rocks are exposed covered in green algae. Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/morning_mist/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3041.jpg Morning Mist Sunbeams stream through the trees and early morning mist. Cox Bay, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/cirrus_clouds/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2937.jpg Long Beach I wonder if these two individuals were aware how beautiful the sunset and Cirrus clouds were right behind them.  Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/peaceful-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3017.jpg Peaceful When I took this image there wasn't a breath of wind. The only thing I could hear was the relaxing sound of the surf. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blue_orange_pink/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC2943.jpg Blue, Orange and Pink The clouds reflected the colours of a beautiful sunset. In the sand you could see the colours of blue, orange and pink. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/nurse_log/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/_DSC3719.jpg Nurse Log A nurse log, as it decays, provides ecological facilitation to a conifer seedling.   British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/arctic-tern/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8186.jpg Arctic Tern and Chick National Geographic calculated that during the lifespan of 30 years, an Arctic tern would have migrated over 2.4 million kilometers, the equivalent of traveling from the Earth to the Moon over 3 times. Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bruarfoss-waterfall/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7969.jpg Blue Glacial Water and Waterfall One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.  South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/gljufurarfoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8974.jpg Self Portrait I used a tripod and the camera self timer to take this image. It was difficult to keep spray from the waterfall off of the lens. Gljufurarfoss, Hamragardar, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/svartifoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8255.jpg Svartifoss Svartifoss or the 'Black Falls' is a waterfall flanked by black basalt columns.  Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/svinafell/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8134.jpg Glacier Walk I like this photo because it shows the magnificence of nature and the insignificance of man when compared to it. Svinafellsjokull Glacier, South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/blue_icebergs/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8782.jpg Glacial Lagoon I like the the thin band of clouds in this image. The blue icebergs, glacier and mountains give the photo a real sense of depth. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/bruarfoss/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7929.jpg The Waterfall at Sunrise This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I photographed in all of Iceland. It's a small waterfall with brilliant blue glacial water. West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/canyon/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_9300.jpg The Canyon This canyon was a surreal place to photograph. As I walked upstream through the river in my rubber boots it felt like I was in a scene from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. I really should have been wearing a pair of waders because in places the water was too deep for my rubber boots. Walking upstream also reminded me of what I had experienced in Zion National Park in the United States. Fjaorargljufur Canyon, Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/jeep/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7799.jpg The Jeep An Icelandic farmer checks his wire fencing. West Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/barnacle_geese/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_8644.jpg Barnacle Geese Barnacle geese feeding on grasses. South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fog_wave/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_7106.jpg The Wave Vancouver Island, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sea_stacks/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/xl/DSC_0421.jpg Icelandic Seagulls and Sea Stacks South Iceland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dunes_mountains/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Morning-Sidelight.jpg The Sand Dunes Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunrise in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/shadow_light-2/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Early-Morning-Light.jpg Shadow and Light Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dunes/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Brain-Coral.jpg Sand Dunes Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/artists_palette/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Artists-Palette.jpg Artist's Palette These colors are caused by the oxidation of different metals. The red, pink and yellow is from iron salts, green is from decomposing tuff-derived mica and manganese produces the purple. Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/red_hoodoos/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Sunrise.jpg Hoodoos at Sunrise At sunrise in Bryce Canyon the light created beautiful red, orange and white colours on the hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/red_sandstone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/The-Narrows.jpg The Narrows It took three hours of wading up the Virgin River to get to this place in the Narrows. It was the end of the day and I saw this beautiful light on the sandstone canyon wall. It's one of my favourite images from my trip.   Zion National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/checkerboard_mesa/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Checkerboard-Mesa.jpg Checkerboard Mesa The Checkerboard Mesa at sunrise.  Zion National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/reflected_light/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Canyon-Light.jpg Reflected Light At the top of the Narrows the canyon becomes wider. The sunlight was being reflected back into the narrow part of the canyon to create this very beautiful light. Zion National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/angels_landing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Angels-Landing.jpg Angels Landing Angels Landing at sunset and Cottonwood trees along the Virgin River. The hike to the top of Angels Landing is very popular and challenging. The last half mile of the trail to the top involves a climb with carved-out footfalls and anchor-bolted chains. At times it's only 5 feet wide with a 1,000 foot drop to the canyon floor on either side. Zion National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/deer_sitka_black_tailed/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Black-Tailed-Sitka-Deer-1-of-1.jpg Sitka Black-Tailed Deer A Sitka Black-Tailed deer feeds on sea kelp at low tide.  Haida Gwaii https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/georgia_strait/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Georgia-Straight-1-of-1.jpg Georgia Strait British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grapevine_mountains/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Sand-Textures-7986.jpg Sand Dunes and Grapevine Mountains Death Valley National Park, California https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/crane/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/The_Crane-1-of-1.jpg The Crane Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/versailles/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Versailles-2-copy.jpg Chateau de Versailles Flowers At The Palace Of Versailles, France France https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pink_sky/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Hoodoos_Pink_Sky-6192.JPG Terra Cotta Hoodoos Badlands https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/historical_church/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Historical_Church.JPG The McDougall Memorial United Church Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/horstman/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Blackcomb.JPG Horstman T-Bar Blackcomb, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/kiss_mural/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/KISS_Mural.JPG KISS Mural Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/spotted_lake/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Kliluk.JPG Kliluk A Sacred Lake in British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sandstone_cliffs/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Sandstone_Cliffs.JPG Sandstone Cliffs Southern Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/badlands/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Badlands.JPG Badlands Sunset Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/badlands_sky/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Badlands_Sky.JPG Badlands Sky Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/athabasca_falls/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Athabasca_Falls.JPG Athabasca Falls As I stood here taking this image I noticed an American Dipper flying in the spray of the falls. This small dark gray bird lives above and below the falls and wades, swims and dives for insects and small fish. It likes to live near swift flowing mountain streams or rivers.   Jasper National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/whiskey_jack/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Whiskey_Jack.JPG Whiskey Jack Cypress Provincial Park, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hoodoos_sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Hoodoos_Sunset.JPG Hoodoos Sunset Badlands, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/moraine_silt/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/GL-Design.jpg Moraine Silt Garabaldi Lake, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/haida_longhouse/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Haida_Longhouse.JPG Haida Longhouse Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/the_dog/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/The_Dog.JPG The Dog Coast Mountains, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/painted-sea-star/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Sea-Star-2.jpg Painted Sea Star Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hoodoos/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20110730-_DSC3338-Edit-Edit-2-Edit.jpg Hoodoos Hoodoos At Sunset Alberta, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/haitian-art/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Street.jpg Haitian Art Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/albino-python/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Snake.jpg Albino Python Man With Albino Python At The Bethesda Fountain In Central Park Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/ice-skating/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Ice-Skating-copy.jpg Ice Skating at Rockefeller Plaza Ice Skating at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, New York Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/mannequins/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/New-York-colours-copy.jpg Mannequins Mannequins In Front Of Store In Soho And Tribeca, New York Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/garabaldi-lake/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/GL-Sunrise.jpg Sunrise at Garabaldi Lake Sunrise At Garabaldi Lake Garabaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/grazing-fawn/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Fawn-Grazing.jpg Grazing Fawn Fawn Grazes On Grass In Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/pacific-ocean-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Sunset.jpg Pacific Ocean Sunset Sunset In Pacific Rim National Park On Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/cruise-ship-painting/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Ship-Painting.jpg Cruise Ship Painting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/winter-trees/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Winter-Road.jpg Winter Road Winter Road And Trees At Sunrise Drumheller, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/flowers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Flowers-2-copy.jpg Flowers Flowers In Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sand-dune/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20111219-_DSC5096-Edit.jpg Sand Dune Mesquite Sand Dunes Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/canada-place/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Baja-Sea-Kayaking-1-copy.jpg Canada Place Canada Place In Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/tsusiat-falls/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/TsusiatFalls.jpg Tsusiat Falls Campsite At Tsusiat Falls, West Coast Trail, Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, Summer Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/boardwalk/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Favourites-108-copy.jpg The Boardwalk Boardwalk To Schooner Cove, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/western-sandpipers/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Favourites-127-copy.jpg Western Sandpipers Western Sandpipers At Rest In Fog, Chesterman Beach Tofino, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/sea-cucumber/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/DSC_0181-copy.jpg California Sea Cucumber California Sea Cucumber in the Broken Group Islands in Pacifc Rim National Park Reserve. Broken Group Islands, Pacific Rim National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fountain/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20100603-_DSC0035-Edit-2-copy.jpg The Fountain Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/snowy-trees/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Ice-Trees-copy.jpg Snowy Trees Snowy Trees At Sunrise In Alberta Drumheller, Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/hollyburn-ski-camp/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/_DSC1686-Edit-Edit-copy.jpg Hollyburn Ski Camp Hollyburn Lodge - 1926 Cypress Bowl Nordic Center https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/toy-cars/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Cars-copy.jpg Toy Cars Toy Cars For Sale In New York Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/payphone/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Favourites-012-copy.jpg Payphone Payphone In Manhattan, New York Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/eiffel-tower/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Eiffel-Tower-copy.jpg Eiffel Tower Eiffel Tower Souvenir In Paris, France Paris, France https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/dalmations/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Dalmations.jpg The Dalmations Dalmations Being Walked On A Winter Day In New York Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/lighthouse/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20100702-_DSC0231-Edit-Edit-copy.jpg The Lighthouse West Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/-children-playing/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Scotland-copy.jpg Children Playing Kilchattan Bay, Isle Of Bute, Scotland Scotland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/-food-delivery/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Food-Delivery-copy.jpg Food Delivery Restaurant Food Delivery, Manhattan, New York Manhattan, New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/-wooden-boat/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/WoodenBoat-copy.jpg Wooden Boat Wooden Boat At Low Tide Scotland https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/beam-of-sunlight/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Beam-of-Light-copy.jpg Beam of Sunlight Beam of sunlight in Manhattan, New York. New York https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/baja-sunrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Baja-Sunrise-2.jpg Baja Sunrise Early morning sunrise in Baja on the Gulf Of California. Gulf of California https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/-remembrance-day/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/_DSC1394-Edit.jpg Remembrance Day Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/shed/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Shed-copy.jpg Church Shed Shed during Winter sunrise at Morley Flats, Alberta. Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/church/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/Favourites-016-copy.jpg The Church Historical church and Rocky Mountain sunrise. Alberta https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/car-wash/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/CarWash.jpg Car Wash Car wash after a Vancouver snowstorm. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/moonrise/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/_DSC1640-Edit-Edit.jpg Moonrise Lions Gate Bridge and Moonrise Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/west-coast-sunset/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20110705-_DSC2883-Edit.jpg West Coast Sunset Trees and sunset in Pacific Rim National Park. Pacific Rim National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/fishing-boat/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20100829-_DSC0897-Edit-copy.jpg Fishing Boat Fish boat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver, British Columbia https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/old-car/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20111222-_DSC5457-Edit.jpg Rusting Car Old car at Scottys Castle in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/-eroded-badlands/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/20111224-_DSC5606-Edit.jpg Eroded Badlands Eroded Badlands in the Amargosa Range in Death Valley National Park. Death Valley National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/photo/long-beach/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/images/large/long-beach-sunset-copy.jpg Long Beach Sunset Sunset at Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park. Pacific Rim National Park https://www.jenspreshaw.com/news/ https://www.jenspreshaw.com/contact/