Owl in The Headlights (Great Grey Owl)
Here is one last image of the great grey owl we encountered in the B.C. interior this spring. Turning his head for a couple of seconds to check us out while he hunted from his evening perch.
Last Shot of The Day (Great Grey Owl)
This one cooperative adult great grey owl perched for us for several minutes on our first night in the BC interior. We got lots of great portrait shots and a much better background last thing in the evening. In the end, we thanked the owl leaving it perched on that branch. Although we made several visits to the area after that, there were no owls to be found. One day can make all the difference.
Great Grey Environmental (Great Grey Owl)
Probably the cleanest background we were able to get with this bird. Had to scale a bit of a hill opposite to it to get at eye level. Although this image is probably better represented as another portrait shot I decided to go landscape to show some of the environment as well. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
On The Hunt (Great Grey Owl)
A great grey owl hunts in the partial concealment of a burnt conifer. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Hidden in The Scrub (Great Grey Owl)
We were only able to find one great grey owl this year. A low year for sightings in general and no nesting to our knowledge at the regular venue. Flicker folks please left click for better detail.
Wings Down in The Sage (Lazuli Bunting)
Last lazuli shot for this year, I promise! A better background on this shot with more of the typical vegetation found around the Tranquille River.
Coming in Hot! (Lazuli Bunting)
You may wonder why a lot of my perching shots are taken at such a high shutter speed. I am always hoping for flight shots like this one and these guys can be wicked fast and unpredictable. Desert and sage brush background.
Zipping Through The Scrub (Lazuli Bunting)
Found one last flight shot of the lazuli bunting flying at high speed through the scrub in the desert. They are whippy fast and somewhat unpredictable. This shot taken near the Tranquille River just outside of Kamloops. Better late than never I guess.
Bunting Bullet 2024 (Lazuli Bunting)
A lazuli bunting zooms through the leaves on the Tranquille River near Kamloops.
Trailhead Guardian (Lazuli Bunting)
This male Lazuli bunting seemed to always be there to greet us at the beginning of the Tranquille River Trail near Kamloops.
Bird on a Wire 2024 (Lazuli Bunting)
Found this little beauty at one of my favorite birding spots at Cinnamon Ridge near the Kamloops Airport.
Singing in The Storm (Lazuli Bunting)
Here is an image with a more natural perch. You can't tell by this photo but there was a big wind storm going on at the time I took this shot. Felt sorry for this little guy as he could barely hold on to the branch.
First Encounter (Calliope Hummingbird)
My first time ever seeing one of these guys! Photographed in the BC interior up in the mountains. Maybe two or three times the size of a bumblebee. Went looking for great grey owls and found him instead. Who knew?
Different Angle (Calliope Hummingbird)
Here is a portrait version with a better background and light angle on the gorget.
Yellow Head Fly By (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
A male yellow-headed blackbird flies by the camera at Python Lake in Kamloops. Wings down, my favorite. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Flying Over The Marsh (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
A yellow-headed blackbird flies over the marsh at the edge of Tunkwa lake near Kamloops BC.
American Three-Toed Woodpecker
A female American three-toed woodpecker chows down on a bug that she has dug out of an old burnt tree in the mountains of the BC interior.
Look of Satisfaction (Ruddy Duck)
A male ruddy duck has a human-like expression of pleasure and satisfaction after blowing some bubbles to attract a mate. Taken at Python lake in Kamloops.
Love in The Marsh (Red-Necked Grebes)
We were lucky enough to witness a couple of pairs of red-necked grebes doing their mating ritual on the edge of the lake. No sign of chicks yet though. Everything seems later this year. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Parking Lot Attendant (Checkerspot Butterfly)
We didn't see any burrowing owls on our trip but on the way back at the parking lot we found this lovely checkerspot butterfly. We used to see them as kids up in the Comox Valley on a regular basis but they are pretty much Extirpated on the island now.
