Another shot of this cooperative little Rufous hummingbird. Taken on the edge of Jericho Park, Vancouver, Canada. Rufous in Profile
This little guy allowed me to gradually approach within about three metres during a series of hand-held shots. It was a breezy day and he was bobbing about on his tiny branch. Between the breeze and the hand-held shooting, most of the shots turned out to be too soft, but this one was sharp enough. A passerby told me this was the bird's favourite perch. He flew away three times while I was there, but always returned to this perch. He appears to be a Rufous hummingbird. Taken on the edge of Jericho Park, Vancouver, Canada. Hi There!
A male red-winged blackbird on a bulrush at the edge of a marsh at Jericho Park in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Red-winged Blackbird
A sharp-shinned hawk perched on one leg in the woods at Jericho Park in Vancouver, Canada. It was not difficult to track this fellow's movements across the marsh at Jericho. It seemed like every other bird available was chasing him and raising the alarm. This is because just about every other small bird is his potential prey. After one of these noisy pursuits he settled somewhere in the woods and I circled around to see if I could catch sight of him. He seemed unconcerned when I finally found him, and I was able to get a few shots through the trees, hand-held and about 20–25m away. Several of the shots are quite soft, due to being hand-held, including the one where he stared right at me, but this one was in pretty good focus. "These birds surprise and capture all their prey from cover or while flying quickly through dense vegetation. They are adept at navigating dense thickets and many attacks are successful, although this hunting method is often hazardous to the hawk. The great majority of this hawk's prey are small birds, especially various songbirds.… "In North America this bird declined in numbers in the 1960s and 1970s, probably as a result of the use of DDT and other pesticides. The population of USA and Canada has rebounded since and might even exceed historical numbers today. This is probably due to the combination of the ban on DDT and the proliferation of backyard birdfeeders in North America which create unnaturally reliable and easy prey for all Accipiters." — Wikipedia Contemplating
A female red-winged blackbird on bullrushes on the edge of a marsh in Jericho Park, Vancouver, Canada. Female Red-wing
This confident little fellow flew straight at me across a pond to settle on a stick nearby. He then went through several poses, including looking right at the lens for this shot (hand-held). The background is the surface of a lagoon on a bright but overcast day. I was pleased to learn that this image made it into Audubon Magazine's Photo Awards Top 100 for 2012. Hello there!
A perfect perch on a dried blackberry shoot for this little tree swallow. He seemed as curious about me as I was about him. Perhaps he was just keeping an eye on me. Taken at the edge of a lagoon in the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, on Westham Island, near Ladner, British Columbia, Canada. Perched
A tree swallow at the edge of a marsh in the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, on Westham Island, near Ladner, British Columbia, Canada. Tree Swallow
Early moring sun strikes a yellow-headed blackbird amongst the Scotch broom teigs and seed pods at Iona. Sunrise at Iona
A juvenile Peregrine falcon high atop a pine tree at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, near Ladner, BC, Canada. I See You
He was keeping an eye on me. A male yellow-headed blackbird, photographed amongst the Scotch broom on Iona Island, Richmond, BC, Canada. Feisty
A red-winged blackbird on a bulrush. Taken within the wetland habitat that has been preserved within Jericho Park, in Vancouver, Canada. Redwing
Red-winged blackbird singing at the end of the day. Sing Out!
A female American Widgeon at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Ladner, BC, Canada. American Widgeon
Meant to evoke a piano under water, this is an in-camera double-exposure on film. Old school. An in-camera double-exposure on colour negative. Piano hammer mechanism shot with amber warming filter (Wratten 85A), the film rewound in the camera, and then a pond surface with reflected branches shot over top. Scanned from film. Wavelengths
Meant to evoke a piano under water, this is an in-camera double-exposure on film. It shows piano hammers, strings, and tuning pins, combined with tree branches reflected on the surface of a pond. Two exposures on the same frame of film. Scanned from film Piano
Diana at the seashore, lost in thought. A woman sitting on a driftwood log at the shore at Point-No-Point, BC, and a shot of snow-covered tree branches from Rice Lake in North Vancouver. In-camera double exposure on colour negative, 1993. Scanned from film. Lost in Thought
A small tree lying across the surface of Rice Lake and reflections of the branches, trees along the distant shore, and the North Shore mountains. Scanned from film. Intersect
Abe's and Bubble Tea, in the rain, on Main. Through the car windshield, early on a dark and wet Vancouver morning. This is a composite image, taken with the camera resting on the steering wheel. It combines one shot focusing on the rain on the windshield, and the other shot focusing on the colourful storefronts, after a wiper pass. Rain on Main
Through the windshield early one rainy morning in Vancouver. The camera was atop the car steering wheel, parked in front of Solly's, during a cinnamon bun run. The colourful storefronts seen through the rain are Abe's Furniture and the tiny Main Tea House, located at 28th and Main. Through the Windshield
A totem pole in Vancouver's Stanley Park, reflected in a pond. Rise Up
A shot of the seashore rendered as a balloon. The original image was shot on film in 1989. The idea was to depict the intertidal zone as ecologically sensitive. Fragile
Acer: Mortality, Mother of Beauty Bronze sculpture by Sara Mall Johani, 1999-2011. 30 inches tall. Photographed and posted here with permission from the artist. A bronze sculpture by artist and longtime friend Sarah Mall Johani. I had the pleasure of photographing a show of her and Tom Jay's work at the Northwind Arts Center in Port Townsend, Washington. For more information on Sara and her work, please visit: http://www.thelateralline.com/saramalljohani Acer: Mortality, Mother of Beauty
Sunrise striking part of a Henry Moore bronze sculpture atop Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver.(Click again for a better view.) Knife Edge
Under the Granville Street Bridge, Vancouver, Canada. (Click again for a better view in the lightbox.) Bridge
Arthur is a blue and gold macaw. He lives at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver. Arthur
For Mark Harris. Ruby is a female Electus parrot who lives at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, Canada. This image looks more faithful to the original if you click it again to dim the background. "The Eclectus Parrot is the most sexually dimorphic of all the parrot species. The contrast between the brilliant emerald green plumage of the male and the deep red/purple plumage of the female is so marked that the two birds were, until the early 20th century, considered to be different species." – Wikipedia Ruby
For Mark Harris. Kiwi is a male Electus parrot who lives at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver, Canada. He's looking quite cinematic here, amongst the festive lights. This image looks best with the house lights down (click it a second time). Kiwi
A Green Winged Macaw at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver. Ambient light, hand-held at ISO 800. The Look
Rosie lives at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver. She's a Congo African Grey Parrot and full of personality. It's always fun to visit Rosie. She's a bit of a ham for the camera. "African Greys are considered to be among the most intelligent of all birds, even ranking alongside dolphins and chimpanzees for their ability to associate human words with meanings, shapes and colours." http://bloedel.wordpress.com/tag/rosie/ Rosie
African Superb Starling at the Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver. Iridescent
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia aristata), also called Firewheel, or Sundance, is a member of the sunflower family. This wildflower is native to northern and western North America. Firewheel
I went out to see how the Irises were doing after the rain and was surprised to see that some of them had closed three petals over themselves to form a small umbrella. This one looked truly water-tight. Iris Umbrella
The sun edged over the horizon and through the kitchen window to strike the lily, making it "pop" against the darker background. I grabbed the camera and snapped a few shots. This light was gone in a few minutes. Morning Lily
Also known as a cornflower. "In folklore, cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if the flower faded too quickly, it was taken as a sign that the man's love was not returned." – Wikipedia Bachelor's Button
Curling stamens from a scotch broom flower, taken at Iona Regional Park, Richmond, BC, Canada. Curl
Two daffodils under a tree on James Street, shot from ground level. Get Low
James Street tulip, for Dani. For Dani
Close-up of an iris flower on a summer afternoon. Another World
A honey bee, hard at work on a dandelion. It's easy to see the great job these little guys do at pollinating. Busy Bee
Lavender and other flowers. I was experimenting a bit with a new telephoto lens and spotted this blend of colours in a nearby flower box. Summer Colours
New buds on an orchid in the window. More to Come
White-pored Chicken of the Woods fungi (Laetiporous sulphureous) on a fallen tree in the temperate rain forest of Pacific Rim National Park – British Columbia, Canada. Scanned from film. Bracket Fungi
Evening light on a pond in Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver. Click again for a better view. Lily Pads
Curves inside a small cactus flower. Cactus Flower
Lilypads from below, at the Vancouver Aquarium. Under the Lilypads
Large rosehips at Capilano Reservoir, North Vancouver, Canada, with the reservoir and North Shore mountains in the background. Rosehips
Low tide at Finn Slough, Richmond, BC, Canada. A three-shot vertical panorama, or vertorama. Finn Slough
Lobster boats at New London Wharf, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Shot on film in 1996. New London Wharf
These two cats were strays. They were quite wary but not exactly timid. Their hangout was amongst the restaurants along the riverfront in the lovely town of La Conner, western Washington State and they appeared well-fed. Stray Cats
This heron frequents the docks and wooden boats at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, looking for an evening snack. City Heron
A sparrow posing on an iron train coupler. Lightness
Glassy Tiger
An arapaima and two piranha at the Amazon Exhibit, Vancouver Aquarium. No Exit
A lone cormorant, high up in the girders under the Granville bridge. "Interestingly, some cormorants have shifted their breeding sites to artificial habitats. For instance, two Pelagic Cormorant colonies have established under the Burrard and Granville Bridges in Vancouver." Source, BC Nature: http://www.bcnature.ca/pages/stewardship_projects/IBA_seabird_colonies.html Cormorant
Gas tank and cylinder heads of an Indian motorcycle, photographed in lovely Nelson, BC, Canada. Split-toned in Adobe Camera Raw. The image looks best if you click it again to dim the background. Indian
A gleaming 1949 Ford V8 at the Concours d'Elegance, Gastown, Vancouver. A very good year. Split-toned in Adobe Camera Raw. Thunder Road
Detail of a gleaming 1913 Mercedes at the Concours d'Elegance on Water Street in Gastown, Vancouver, August 2003. Scanned from film, tweaked a bit for shine and sharpness in Photoshop. 1913
Hot rod taillight spotted at the Concours d'Elegance 2010, in Gastown, Vancouver. (click again for a better view) Flow
The cobblestones of Gastown, and another vintage vehicle, reflected in the door of a hotrod, at the Steamworks Concours d'Elegance, in Vancouver. Hot Rod
Flying lady hood ornament from a Packard 8 automobile – probably from the 1940s. (Click again for best view.) Packard 8
Packard 12 fender reflections -- Concours d'Elegance 2010, Gastown, old Vancouver. Packard 12
Cates Tug No. 4 in the fog at Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver, Canada. Cates No. 4
The Ku'ulakai (being restored) and fishing boats at the docks in Steveston BC, Canada, on a calm grey day. A STORIED SHIP This 119-foot Mikimiki class ocean tug was originally named the Ernest F. Ladd, and was built in 1944 for the U.S. Navy by Northeast Shipbuilding Co. Quincy, Massachusetts, USA. It appears she was first used for towing disabled ships to port. In 1949, Lloyd B. Gore added her to his Young & Gore Tugboat Co. fleet in British Columbia, and renamed her the Lloyd B. Gore. She then she towed logs off the west coast for years. Court documents show that she did have a fishing license at one point, which a former owner had to forfeit when she was caught being used to smuggle drugs from Thailand. On appeal, however, the fishing license was reinstated. She's now being restored by the current owner in Steveston BC. Ku'ulakai
A three-shot vertical panorama, or vertorama, of the Steam Ship Master — three portrait-oriented shots, stitched and corrected for distortion in Photoshop. The SS Master, pictured here at the Vancouver Maritime Museum docks, is the sole remaining wooden hulled, steam powered tugboat of her type in North America. "From 1922 to 1959, the Master towed logs and barges in Georgia Strait and beyond, steaming over a million miles. She has seen many ports on the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to San Francisco. Laid up in 1959, she was bought in 1962 for $500, to be restored as a memorial to the men of the BC towing industry." Many hundreds of hours are put in each year by volunteer crew members of the SS Master Society to preserve this important piece of British Columbia’s maritime past. More info here: http://ssmaster.org/about-us/ Steam
A female red-eared slider sunning herself on a rock in Vancouver's Charleston Park. "The Red-eared Slider is native to southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America and Brazil. So why are Sliders found in the ponds, streams, and marshes of Australia, Canada and Europe, amongst other places? "Young Sliders are popular pets. However, when they reach their adult size, and care and housing become much more difficult, they quickly lose their appeal. Many pet owners, either through lack of knowledge or thoughtlessness, release Sliders to the nearest wetland. This can disrupt the natural balance of the aquatic ecosystem, and can damage native turtle and amphibian populations." More info: http://www.bcreptiles.ca/turtles/redearslider.htm Warmth
I went looking for birds and found deer. A mule deer relaxing on the edge of Old Barge Channel, in the Maplewood Flats Wilderness Conservation Area – North Vancouver, Canada. Good Morning!
These are tourist-fed seals who loiter about in the waters in front of their favourite fish & chips shop at Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria. This worried look is fish related. Got one for me? Got Fish?
Neighbour's cat takes over doghouse. Occupy
Fine woodworking on the wraparound seating on the S.S. Moyie, the world's oldest intact passenger sternwheeler, in Kaslo, BC, Canada. Wraparound
A tritone of an image looking from White Rock B.C., toward the Canada U.S. border at Blaine Washington. Scanned from film. Pantone tri-tone curve applied in Photoshop. Tidelines
Rocks sculpted over a very long time by the tides on the shore of Helliwell Park on Hornby Island, BC, Canada. Scanned from film. Sculpted in Time
These old bottles, on the sill of a piano window, are never the same hue from sunset to sunset. Looks more realistic on the click-through. Sunset
September sunrise over East Vancouver. September
Coloured rocks in Lost Horse Creek, Red Rock Canyon — Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. Lost Horse Creek
Kayaks, reflected. Rippled
Fall colours on a hawthorn tree through stained glass hanging in a window. Fall through the Glass
Snow on a hawthorn tree, through stained glass hanging in a window. Winter through the Glass
An ice fishing hut in the winter sunset over Summerside Harbour, PEI, Canada, with a lighthouse in the distance. The peculiar ring round the sun is due to frost crystals in the air, and is called a sundog or ice halo. Scanned from filmed -- very little processing. Ice Halo
Second Brook, Barclay Road, O'Leary, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Many happy memories here. Second Brook
Reflection of a stranger in a ship's window, on a BC Ferry traveling from the mainland to Vancouver Island, another ferry in the distance. Sail Away
Ainu totem poles, Burnaby Mountain, BC, Canada. The Ainu are are indigenous peoples in Japan and Russia. More information on the Ainu here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people Ainu
At the end of a dark and rainy day the sun emerged below the clouds at the western horizon just long enough to create this show of light to the east. Taken with my trusty G10 from an eighth floor balcony in the Brentwood district of Burnaby, BC, Canada. Rush Hour
Several shots, stitched in Photoshop. This view of False Creek in Vancouver extends from Cambie Bridge to the right, to Burrard Bridge on the left. False Creek Panorama
My girls walk to the shore in Helliwell Park, Hornby Island, BC, Canada. Several shots combined. Helliwell Panorama
Waterbound benches in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Waterbound
The Lions Gate Bridge, with Stanley Park's Prospect Point in the foreground. The bridge, completed in 1938, links Vancouver to the North Shore. After driving over it for many years, I finally walked this bridge. Over and back took me three hours. I blame the camera I was carrying. Good though. Lions Gate
A freighter in front of Stanley park and the North Shore mountains, taken from the end of Jericho Pier in Vancouver. Clouds
Two people walk past a totem pole in the blue hour. Inner harbour, Victoria, BC, Canada, a war memorial and the provincial legislature buildings in the background. The Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) totem pole is by carver Henry Hunt. This image looks best if you click on it to dim the background. Ghosts
A beacon for fishermen for more than a century, this little church stands with its back to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Kildair Capes Prince Edward Island, Canada. Church on the Capes
Morning light on the Art Deco entrance to the Marine Building, at 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, Canada. Designed by McCarter Nairne and Partners and built in 1939, the Marine Building is renowned for its Art Deco details. According to the architects, the building was intended to evoke "some great crag rising from the sea, clinging with sea flora and fauna, tinted in sea-green, touched with gold." Bronze