Description: This is the third sighting I have had of this lovely but elusive songbird in the yard, but this is the only time I have seen it out in the open, perfectly and calmly posed on the pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet Firethorn), whose reddish-orange berries are a big hit with the usual repertoire of wintering birds in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The warm yellow background--courtesy of the leaves of the neighbor's weeping alder--adds a golden, autumn-y touch to this image! This photo was featured in the 2018 Wild Birds Unlimited Calendar, the 2018 Nature Canada Calendar, the 2020 Canadian Geographic Photo Club Calendar, and the 2021 Canadian Geographic 365-page-a-day Calendar.
Description: One of my most fascinating encounters to date: a small co-ed flock of Hooded Mergansers put in a two-hour "cameo" appearance (and extended courtship displays) at Centennial Beach in early February 2015. For more than half an hour, I was totally entranced by the courtship displays of the four males as they attempted to entice the two females into noticing them with head raises, bobs, and frog-like croaking. The ladies, of course, were less than impressed. Photographed at Boundary Bay Regional Park, in Tsawwassen, BC, Canada.
Description: An extravaganza of poinsettias! The Shimmer Surprise cultivar of poinsettias sits atop the cream-colored Yellow Snow cultivar of poinsettias.
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Description: Capturing a moment of intimacy between a breeding pair of Wood Ducks on the walking/trail paths around the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Every once in a while, each would preen the other briefly, stop, and look in my direction--only to start preening again a few moments later. Photographed in Ladner, British Columbia, Canada.
Description: An attractive raptor with a heart-shaped facial disc, the Barn Owl is gifted with extraordinary hearing and silent flight, which lets it descend on and capture prey with extreme stealth. Sara is a healthy captive who would normally live her life in the wild, except for the fact that she imprinted on humans at an early age.
Description: My first encounter with an American Avocet at Boundary Bay Regional Park in beautiful Tsawwassen, British Columbia. This elegant wading bird is rarely found in Canada's westernmost province, so to discover two adults spending a week there during the early stages of fall migration, enjoying the local amenities and completely at ease with the photographer in their midst, was a real treat. Photographed in early September 2022.
Description: Chosen for thousands of years as a popular falconry bird for its exceptional trainability, this large, pale Eurasian beauty is endowed with great hunting prowess, power, and speed. This well-behaved young lady is a perfect example -- her handler was able to leave her [relatively unattended] to her adoring audience and fans!
Description: My first encounter with American Avocets at Boundary Bay Regional Park in beautiful Tsawwassen, British Columbia. These elegant wading birds are rarely found in Canada's westernmost province, so to discover two adults spending a week there (two more joined them a week later) during the early stages of fall migration, enjoying the local amenities and completely at ease with the photographer in their midst, was a real treat. Photographed in early September 2022.
Description: Owls are such fascinating creatures. They are front page newsmakers, drawing the interest of birders, nature lovers, and just about everyone else who has a pulse. Snowy Owls are especially charismatic; the largest owls in North America only show up in Metro Vancouver every few years, and their appearance during our winters causes crowds of admirers to form and flock.
Description: Stella the Grey is the beloved furbaby of a couple of friends. Despite being 14 years old, she acts much more like a cat half her age, and holds her own very well against dogs, even the big ones -- she recently made a pack of four retrievers submit to her feline authority! Neither a one-person or high-maintenance cat, she warms immediately to everyone she meets, so long as cuddles are guaranteed.
