Half and Half (Belted Kingfisher)
Just playing with an archived image from my laptop this morning. Taken at French Creek Marina a couple of months back.
Spring Has Sprung (Hooded Merganser)
The hoodies were out strutting their stuff yesterday at Foothills Marsh.
Swamp Giraffe (American Bittern)
Like most members of the heron family, these guys can really stretch their neck out.
Weird Bird Alert! (American Bittern)
Another gem from my Wednesday Shoot.
American Bittern Environmental
Hard to get a good clear shot of these guys. They are very seldom out in the open like this. Taken yesterday at Buttertubs Marsh here in Nanaimo.
Bittern Sweet Encounter 2024 (American Bittern Portrait)
Got a few photos of the Buttertubs bittern yesterday. Haven't seen him around for a couple of years. You can never tell with bitterns though as they blend in to the undergrowth so well. He was probably there the whole time.
Missing Link (Great Horned Owl)
Came across this image of a male horned owl at Piper's Lagoon from last August. Can't imagine why I never posted it.
After The Snow (Cooper's Hawk)
After a brief snowfall last night we had a visit from this handsome Cooper's Hawk in the maple tree out in our back yard.
Cedar Waxwing Portrait
With a quick head turn a female cedar waxwing snatches a ripe hawthorn berry out of the air.
Berry Nice! (Cedar Waxwing)
At Buttertubs Marsh a cedar waxwing enjoys one of the last few hawthorn berries remaining before the new spring leaves start to sprout.
I Found It! (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
I really enjoyed my trip to Alberta last spring, especially our visits to Frank Lake just south of Calgary. I got home and was a bit bummed out though as I could not find this cool image I made of a male yellow-headed blackbird with a beak full of bugs. Well, after nine months of searching I had pretty much given up. Look what I found in an obscure place on my hard drive about an hour ago!
Better Background (Ruby-Crowned Kinglet)
Here is one on a different branch with a less distracting natural background.
A Touch of Colour (Ruby-Crowned Kinglet)
Photographed this energetic little guy today at Buttertubs Marsh here in Nanaimo.
Calm Waters (Long -Tailed Duck)
Another nice one from our Sunday shoot.
Giving Me The Eye (Long-Tailed Duck)
A male long-tailed duck gives me the eye as he swims past at Deep Bay.
Coming in For a Landing #2 (Long-Tailed Duck)
Another image in the landing sequence. It took about an hour but the long-tailed ducks at Deep Bay started to come in closer.
Coming in For a Landing (Long-Tailed Duck)
The long-tailed ducks were coming in a bit closer today.
Owl on a Wire (Northern Hawk Owl)
Taken 15 years ago on Morden Road south of Nanaimo with a Canon 50D and a 500mm F/4 Lens at 15MP. Natural Background.
Stern Gaze (Northern Hawk Owl)
These guys always seem to look like they are ticked off to me. Not sure why?
Morning Light in His Wings (Short-Eared Owl)
This image captured shortly after reaching the venue first thing in the morning.
Order in Chaos (Snow Geese)
On the Fraser River Delta near Ladner a flock of several thousand snow geese is flushed by a passing eagle. The orange color on their snouts and faces is caused from eating plant roots in soil with certain mineral deposits.
Roosting Down Low (Short-Eared Owl)
After a successful hunt a short-eared owl rests down low in the marsh grass near the ocean. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Eagle Banking (Bald Eagle)
There are some people that might say that this is a "money shot" but for me it's all in the bank. 🙂
Caught in Mid Air (Bald Eagle)
After chasing a gull to make it drop its catch a bald eagle snatches a chunk of fish meat in mid air.
Grey Ghost Back Shot (Northern Harrier)
Natural background and even light.
Best Eye Contact ( Northern Harrier)
Probably my best perching shot of the grey ghost from our last trip. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Staring Into The Morning Sun (Northern Harrier)
After the fog lifts a female northern harrier surveys the area from the shelter of the dead marsh grass.
Hovering Over The Snow (Varied Thrush)
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Some Colour in The Snow (Varied Thrush)
Played around with some backyard birding today. Had some fun with the varied thrushes.
Old Gold (Great Grey Owl)
Here is a remake of an older photo from 2019. I know that it's only January and It is supposed to snow again today but I couldn't help but dream of what could be in store for later in the spring and summer. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Screamin' Kestrel (American Kestrel)
My Apologies for this one. Had the camera setup for the western screech owl and forgot to speed up for kestrel flight. Amazing what you can do though with only 1/500 sec.
Pleasant Surprise (Western Screech Owl)
Took a trip down south of where I live to visit a western screech owl. My first encounter with one in nearly 20 years of photography on the island. I have often heard others talk about them but have never had the opportunity to actually see one in person. This will be the 11th owl species I have photographed in B.C. so far.
Coming in Low (Northern Harrier)
On one of his hunting runs the male northern harrier skims low over the marsh weeds as he flies towards the camera. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Ocean in Her Eye (Short-Eared Owl)
If you zoom this up you can see the shoreline of the ocean reflected in her eye.
Another Short-Eared Owl in Flight
Got a lot of images like this with the short-ear looking straight into the camera. Flickr folks please left click for greater detail.
Underside View (Northern Harrier)
Found another harrier image this morning that I thought you might like. Be sure to zoom in for extra detail.
A Different Perch (Northern Harrier)
Here is the grey ghost on a different perch showing more back and tail details. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Vertical Bank (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is another one of those weird vertical bank shots from our trip.
Flying at The Camera (Northern Harrier)
The grey ghost (male harrier) flies straight in at the camera only to veer off at the last second. Flickr folks please left click once or twice for better detail.
Female Harrier Portrait
Our trip would not have been complete without at least one nice image of this beautiful female harrier.
Shortie Environmental Shot (Short-Eared Owl)
The conditions are rarely perfect for shooting these guys and as you can see they are usually found in a similar situation to this image . I guess if wildlife photography wasn't as challenging then everyone would be doing it.
Hawk in Morning Light (Sharp-Shinned Hawk)
This image was taken just as morning fog was starting to clear. Thus the misty appearance. I always seem to get mixed up between sharp-shinned hawks and immature Cooper's hawks. I think that this is a sharpie. If you have a different opinion please let me know. Hard to do the tail ID thing with it being all wet like that.
Look Me in The Eye (Short-Eared Owl)
Another shortie close up portrait from our weekend shoot.
The Grey Ghost (Northern Harrier)
Got a visit several times yesterday at the venue by "The Grey Ghost". A rather special male Northern Harrier. He seemed unconcerned with our presence and gave everyone lots of opportunities for some great images. Flickr folks left click for a more detailed image.
Friendly Bird (Short-Eared Owl)
This particular short-eared owl circled us several times at close range before settling on a near by log. Flickr folks might want to click a couple of times for more detail.
Down By The Sea (Short-Eared Owl)
A male short-eared owl rests on a driftwood log down near the ocean. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Banking Left (Short-Eared Owl)
Love it when you can see both eyes in flight. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Short-Ear Portrait in Morning Light (Short-Eared Owl)
The first close up perching image of a short-eared owl for me in a long time. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Shortie Environmental (Short-Eared Owl)
Another image from the Boxing Day shoot yesterday.
Low Light Shoot (Short-Eared Owl)
Managed a few images at the usual venue where the owl came a bit closer today. Not bad for low light situations and a 2X teleconverter.
Berry Bandit (Varied Thrush)
Been a bit busy lately so I decided to take a bit of time out to photograph some backyard birds. In this shot a varied thrush steels a red cotoneaster berry from the bush in our back yard.
Mount Benson Background (Peregrine Falcon)
Took this out at the estuary a couple of days back. He sat in the big oak tree near the parking lot.
Banking Right Looking at The Camera (Short-Eared Owl)
One from this afternoon's shoot.
Better Eye Contact (Short-Eared Owl)
The only problem with images like this is that the owl's wings are so big that the head of the owl ends up being only an inch and a half wide before the wings are out of frame. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Short-Ear Glide 2023 (Short-Eared Owl)
Liked the background in this image.
Sunny Day Kingfisher (Belted Kingfisher)
Went to French Creek and had some fun with the local kingfishers
Skimming The Grass (Short-Eared Owl)
In this image a short-eared owl hunts at only a couple of feet off of the ground in search for voles.
Pop Up 2023 (Short-Eared Owl)
A short-eared owl pops up out of the tall grass to begin its evening hunt.
Takin' a Dive (Short-Eared Owl)
A short-eared owl dives on an unsuspecting vole in the deep grass near the ocean.
Banking Left (Short-Eared Owl)
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Golden Light Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
Had some fun over on the lower mainland today with short-eared owls.
Northern Shrike (Juvenile)
Nanaimo Estuary. A distant crop of a skittish bird.
Cruising Through The Bulrushes (Short-Eared Owl)
I will be looking forward to photographing these guys in the next month or so over on the lower mainland.
Change of Diet (Northern Pygmy Owl)
Now that the bugs are all gone the northern pygmy owl has changed over to his winter diet of birds and small rodents. In this image he has caught an unsuspecting chickadee as it fed with the rest of the flock in a near by fir tree.
Back Details (Bufflehead Duck)
Thought you might like this banking shot. Always a bonus when you can get detail in the entire back and both wings.
Better Light Today (Bufflehead Duck)
Not much around to shoot so I went back down to Wheatcroft Park today for some more flight shot practice. The even light made it easier to control the whites.
Similar Trajectory (Blue Jay)
A similar position in the air to the Steller's Jay shot. This time with the Blue Jay incoming.
Estuary Merlin
A couple of weeks back I got this sunny day shot of a merlin out at the Nanaimo Estuary.
Blue Bullet (Blue Jay)
Another addition to my "Bullet Bird" album.
Just Dropping By (Steller's Jay)
A Steller's Jay drops in for a quick bite at the feeder. Gotta love those eye brows!
First of The Season Bufflehead Duck
Went down to the local runway yesterday and had some fun with the bufflehead ducks. Used the 2X extender. Seemed to work pretty good.
Local Celebrity (Blue Jay)
This handsome guy has been hanging around the area for about a week now. Very cool for us on the west coast to get a blue jay as they rarely make it over the Rockies. A first time appearance for Nanaimo BC.
Full Body Image (Blue Jay)
Here is a full body image of the blue jay for people who have never seen one. Quite the contrast to our local Steller's Jay. Beautiful!
Morning Snack (Barred Owl)
Thanks to Guy Monty for pointing out this barred owl at Buttertubs Marsh after it had just caught a big rat. Tough lighting conditions but I did my best. Flickr folks can left click for more detail and to find the spider.
First Short-Ear of The Season (Short-Eared Owl)
Nice to see these guys again. Will try to get a bit closer with a better background next time.
Pygmy Closeup (Northern Pygmy Owl)
Pretty harsh light at the venue the other day. Had to wait until the owl flew into the shadows.
Bird on a Wire #2 (Rose-Breasted Grosbeak)
A leftover from the springtime. Here is a landscape version. Photographed in the Water Valley area just north of Cochrane Alberta.
Just Hanging Around (Great Grey Owl)
In this image the female great grey owl appears to be just hanging in the air as she ascends up to deliver another vole to one of her owlets in a near by fir tree. Flickr folks please left click for enhanced details.
Fir Tree and Feathers (Great Grey Owlet)
A great grey owlet perches on a scorched fir tree branch waiting for one of its parents to bring more food. Flickr folks please click twice for the best resolution.
Fall Colour Pygmy Owl #2
Found another one I like with a less cluttered background. Hope you like it!
Fall Colour Pygmy Owl (Northern Pygmy Owl)
Took this photo today. Wouldn't you know? I was just talking about this guy yesterday and here he is. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Archival Pygmy Image (Northern Pygmy Owl)
Came across this image in the archives today and did a bit of filtering and re-touching. It was never posted because at the time it was very similar to many of the shots I was getting on "The Money Tree". Flickr folks please left click for better detail. Enjoy!
Another Vole For The Kids (Great Grey Owl)
Taken on the evening of my Birthday at an undisclosed location in the interior of BC.
Phalarope Fly By (Female Wilson's Phalarope)
Just came across another couple of female Wilson's Phalarope flight shots that I thought might be nice to post and add to the album.
Coming in For a Landing Stage Left (Wilson's Phalarope)
Just came across another couple of female Wilson's Phalarope flight shots that I thought might be nice to post and add to the album.
Coming in For a Landing (Great Grey Owl)
Sorry, a rather large crop on this one. A great grey owl prepares to land on a small conifer in its favorite hunting area.
Autumn Colors (Great Horned Owl)
Really liked the background in this one and the direct eye contact. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Tight Rope Walker (Great Horned Owl)
See if you can find the spider.
Another Forgotten Frame (Burrowing Owl)
Yet another frame from our burrowing owl expedition that was never posted.
Wings Up (Great Horned Owl)
This one taken yesterday as the owl dived down from the power lines to land on a small light post. Only caught a few frames before it moved out of the shade into harsh sunlight.
Diving Down (Great Horned Owl)
This one taken yesterday as the owl dived down from the power lines to land on a small light post. Only caught a few frames before it moved out of the shade into harsh sunlight.
Moving Up in The World (Great Horned Owl)
Another classic GHO flight pose.
Right at Eye Level (Great Horned Owl)
This image taken in the forests of north Nanaimo. Horned owls seem to be everywhere again this year. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Snack For The Kids (Great Grey Owl)
An image taken in July from the BC Interior. The female owl on her way to drop off another evening snack for the kids.
Frank Lake Archive (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
Lots of images like this still left over to post. Here a male yellow-headed blackbird comes in for a landing in the tall marsh grass at Frank Lake south of Calgary.
Wings Down (Great Horned Owl)
Here is the wings down version with a somewhat better background. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Wings Up Version With Background (Great Horned Owl)
Taken today down at the swamp.
She's Comin' Right at Us . . . . . again? (Great Horned Owl)
Thought some of you folks out there might like a close up view of the horned owl I ran into today down at the local marsh. Flickr folks please left click for more detail
Out on a Limb (Great Horned Owl) Thanks For Over 5,000,000 views!!!!
The male keeping watch from another near by branch up in the oak trees. Flickr folks please left click for closer view. My thanks to all of the people who came for a look at my Flickr page over the past 10 years! I have just passed the 5 million views mark today (August 16, 2023).
Keeping a close watch (Great Horned Owl)
The male great horned owl keeps a close watch on both of the fledged owlets.