Mandarin Duck: From Molt to Magnificent

This gallery contains 5 photos. Over the course of several months this year, I had the privilege of witnessing one of Nature’s most stunning creatures undergo a stunning transformation from egad-what-on-earth-is-that to drop-dead-gorgeous. 

Baird(s) on the Beach!

This gallery contains 4 photos. The caption of this post is my whimsical nod to both Shakespeare and shorebirds (being a fan of both). Those of you who live on the West Coast will be familiar with this summer festival. 🙂

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Perhaps the most colorful of warblers, the Chestnut-Sided Warbler is a sight to behold, and I had the opportunity to finally see one with a small group of birders in early 

Long-Eared Owl

This gallery contains 4 photos. The nocturnal cousin of the diurnal Short-Eared Owl, the Long-Eared Owl is a migratory visitor to Southwestern British Columbia during the fall and winter,

Mountain Chickadee

This gallery contains 3 photos. On December 14, 2017, I made the acquaintance of a Mountain Chickadee at the home and open invitation of some very gracious local birders (whom I also met for the first time). As its name implies,

Blue Jay!

This gallery contains 3 photos. On Christmas Eve 2017, I had the fortune of encountering a Blue Jay in Richmond. A common sight in just about every province east of British Columbia (and a particularly iconic bird 

Steller’s Jay(s)

This gallery contains 3 photos. Those rich azure feathers make it one of the most recognizable and attractive birds in Metro Vancouver, but I’ve never had much luck with that master of mimicry, the Steller’s Jay. The official 

Short-Eared Owl

This gallery contains 5 photos. Owls command a special kind of magic, even among those who aren’t nature lovers. There is something simultaneously awe-inspiring, and terrifying about these feathered hunters. Maybe it’s

Wilson’s Warblers

This gallery contains 4 photos. One of the smallest migratory birds to visit the Pacific Northwest during the breeding season is the Wilson’s Warbler. These highly active songbirds–another one of Mother Nature’s natural