Hermit Thrush

This is the third sighting we have had of this lovely singer in the yard in the past two years, but the only time we have spotted it on the front lawn — this time, perfectly posed on

American Treecreeper

As a creature of the woodlands, forests, and mountains, chances are good that if you live in Canada or just about any U.S. state, you’ve probably encountered an American Treecreeper–but you may not have realized it!

Sandhill Cranes

This gallery contains 4 photos. My first encounter with a family of (Greater) Sandhill Cranes happened when the second colt (or chick) hatched on our visit to the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on May 26. Even one of the

Moms Extraordinaire

This gallery contains 4 photos. Perhaps no bird symbolizes maternal devotion to offspring more than the common Wild Duck (Mallard). These mothers singlehandedly rear and fledge

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

This gallery contains 3 photos. The first time I saw this small winged predator–a familiar visitor–it made its cameo in the backyard, to the dismay of the songbird regulars. Even though I (rather noisily) opened

2 Red-Tailed Hawks

This gallery contains 3 photos. Perhaps the most commonly seen hawk in Metro Vancouver (if not North America) is the Red-Tailed Hawk. I spotted this banded adult on a power line while driving through Ladner (en route to

2 Downy Woodpeckers

This gallery contains 2 photos. This male Downy Woodpecker announced himself with a trademark chip-chip-chip repertoire before descending onto this thin branch. I generally don’t get these kinds of photo opportunities

American Kestrel

One of two American Kestrels we saw on power lines (the other

Northern Pygmy Owl

This gallery contains 4 photos. The one bird I especially hoped to see over the BC Family Day 2016 long weekend was one I almost missed — and then the crowd of birders and photographers we happened upon alerted us to