Clouds

Most people don't pay too much attention to the views from airplanes. To me, it's still amazing to fly through the sky, miles above the ground.

Sadly, flying over British Columbia is mostly a view of logging.

Bufflehead

This Bufflehead came a little closer to shore than they usually do and with sunshine to show off his colors. He still spent most of his time underwater, popping up to the surface briefly at random spots. It was a challenge to get photos before he submerged again. I was also trying to line him up with good reflections in the water, by moving back and forth along the walkway. They still aren't as sharp as I'd like, but better than usual.

Crab Dinner

This otter was on a rock right below the walkway. Eating the crab was obviously more important than the people walking by.

A crow was waiting patiently for any leftovers.

Sadly, when it turned to leave, I could see its back leg was damaged - maybe broken or dislocated? On the photos you can see the foot is swollen too. It still seemed to be managing alright but I wonder if it will survive with the injury. I hope so.

More Birds

Catching up on my recent bird photos. I saw this little bird with such a colorful background and I really want to get a photograph but it wasn't very cooperative. I think it's a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Another hyperactive little bird. I think this one is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but a female so no ruby crown.

Another bird that wouldn't sit still - a Downy Woodpecker.

The winter ducks are coming back - Hooded Mergansers and Buffleheads.

Of course, the usual suspects are still around.

My camera's bird detection has a hard time finding a black eye on a black head with Dark-eyed Junco's.

I normally wouldn't pay too much attention to sparrows, but the yellow on this Golden-crowned Sparrow caught my eye.

I noticed these Spotted Towhees but they were deep in the branches and I just walked by. But when I glanced back they had both moved out into the open so I went back and got a few photographs. Occasionally I see one near my bird feeder, seemingly gazing longingly at it. But I've never seen them actually feed from it.

A final parting shot of a gull's colorful feet.

See all 23 photos in this batch

Killdeer

Killdeer are common across North America. They are shore birds (a kind of plover) but are often found away from water. They have a distinctive call that helps identify them. I like the red ring around their eyes.

I took these photos from my kayak which gave me a nice eye level view. Like many animals, they often aren't as skittish about a kayak as they are with a standing human.

Birds and Berries

I was returning from a walk when I noticed a bunch of birds in the arbutus tree close to our place. At first it was robins, then cedar waxwings, and then starlings. They all seemed to be enjoying the good crop of berries.

Cross Orbweavers

Fall is the time when I see more Cross Orbweaver spiders. Their webs are often in obvious places and the spider is often perched in the middle of the web. You can see the "cross" quite obviously in these photos.

Belted Kingfisher

I usually hear the distinctive kingfisher "chattering" before I see them. When they are fishing, they perch on a branch above the water that they can dive from. They must have better eyes than me, because I can't see the fish in the water from above. Belted Kingfishers are the only kingfisher found in Canada. They migrate south from colder locations but in warmer places like the west coast they stay year round.

This guy (females have a redder "belt") was repeatedly diving from and returning to these branches but I never saw him catch anything.

I'm still in pursuit of a really good kingfisher photo. I have occasionally seen them at close range in a good setting but never when I have my camera. One of these days I'll get lucky. These photos were all taken from far away with my longest telephoto lens (1200mm equivalent).

Reflections

Time for another dose of light and color reflected in water.

And so it's not all abstract, here's a harbor seal amidst the reflections.

See all 28 photos in this batch

River Otters

I don't take much video but when I saw these otters out in the water I knew still photographs wouldn't look like much. So here's some video for a change. It gives an idea of how frenetic they are. If you're reading this by email or feed reader and there's no video below, you can watch it directly on YouTube.

I saw this group of seven when I was kayaking. They were on one of the navy no trespassing islands, probably a good safe spot for them.

These four were just near our place at one of their usual spots.

Sunrise Heron

I've taken photos of a heron on this rock a few times but I think this is my favorite so far. I like the cool blue in the bottom half contrasting with the warm pink of sunrise reflected in the top half.

Anna's Hummingbird

It's always nice when one of the local hummingbirds cooperates with having its photo taken. Even a plain background. I usually hear them more than I see them.