The following photos are amongst my favourites taken in 2025. (Some of the photos have been featured in my blog earlier this year). 2025 proved to be another great year for nature photography with travel to Guatemala, Belize, Nunavut, Greenland and a short trip to the Yukon Territory. Each time I head out with my camera, I wonder what I will encounter. I am often pleasantly surprised. The key to successful nature photography is to get out, often! I hope 2026 will prove to be as satisfying. Wishing all who view this blog a healthy and happy 2026!
Northern hawk owl, diving for a rodent. Delta, BC, January.American bittern. Willband Creek Park, Abbotsford BC, January.Northern pygmy-owl. Chilliwack, BC, January.Red-tailed hawk, Abbotsford, BC, January.Kulshan (Mount Baker), in Washington State, January.The rare orange-collared falcon, Tikal, Guatemala, February.Spider monkey, Tikal, Guatemala, FebruaryOcellated turkey, Tikal, Guatemala, February.Malachite butterfly emerging from pupa, Belize, February.Malachite butterfly, after emerging from pupa, Belize, February.Slaty-tailed trogon, Jade Jungle, Belize, February.Howler monkey, Crooked Tree, Belize, March.Vermillion flycatcher, Crooked Tree, Belize, March.Morelet’s Crocodile, Belize, March.Great horned owls, mother and owlet, Delta BC, April.Pacific wren, near Rolley Lake, BC, April.Northern-pygmy owl, “launching”. Elk Mountain, BC, April.“Motherhood”. Mother robin trying to keep two babies happy. Abbotsford, BC, May.Western tanager. Naramata, BC. May“The forest takes over”. BC back roads. May.Ruddy duck (male). Okanagan, BC. May.Rufous hummingbird. Abbotsford, BC. June.Helmcken Falls, BC. June.
This September, I had the opportunity to be in the Southern Yukon for a week. It was not enough time! There is so much to be seen. I did however see enough to prioritize a return visit in 2026!
An initial view of the majestic mountains of Kluane National Park, near Haines Junction.The Canada jay (whiskey jack). It is found in every province and territory of Canada, and is a very “cheeky” resident of boreal forests. It was this jay (and another one) that told me of the presence of the rare intruder posted below.Northern hawk-owl. It was chased away by the Canada jays but returned, giving me great photo ops. This is only the third northern hawk-owl that I have seen.This owl flew from a tree top, right past me and landed on a post 15 feet away, to give me “the look”.Looking west into Kluane National Park, from Haines Junction.Sheep Mountain. Kluane National Park, on the Alaska Highway.Dall sheep (thin-horn sheep). The nineteen white spots are all sheep on the slopes of Sheep Mountain.Kluane LakeKathleen Lake, Kluane National ParkFresh snow on the mountains. From north of Whitehorse.Kathleen LakeKluane National ParkWeather front moving in. Kluane National ParkOn the Alaska Highway.Arctic ground squirrelHarlan’s hawk Wood bison bull (Yukon Wildlife Preserve)Musk oxen (Yukon Wildlife Refuge)Woodland caribou (Yukon Wildlife Preserve)Mountain goat (Yukon Wildlife Preserve)
In August, Mary and I took an excursion with Adventure Canada entitled “Circling the Midnight Sun”. This trip took us along the coast of Baffin Island, across Davis Strait and along the coast of Greenland. On the sea portion of this excursion, we traveled 1449 nautical miles, crossed three time zones and crossed the Arctic Circle four times. We had an exceptional time! The following photographs were of four polar bears, sea ice, whales and icebergs seen along the way.
Polar bear on iceberg, far out at sea!Bowhead whaleI never expected to see a polar bear sleeping high up on a cliff!Humpback whaleFin whale
A few photos from early July taken in southern BC.
Fritillary butterfly on a wild asterYellow-breasted chatFoxgloves. (It is an exceptional year for foxgloves on the mountains of the Fraser Valley!)Bull thistleEastern cottontail (considered invasive, it was introduced to BC in the 1960’s)Great-grey owl, snuggling its owletMale great-grey owl. In the nesting season and with recently fledged owlets, the male is the principle provider for the owlets and female.Female great-grey owl, spreading its wings to dissipate heat on a hot day. It was closely guarding the two fledged owlets.Wild chicoryFireweedChilliwack River ValleyWestern wood pewee
The following photos are a selection of some of the many I have taken in the province over the last few months. As is usually the case, most pictures I am showing are of birds.
Black bear in the neighbourhood. I believe this is one of the cubs we saw last year with its mother. Now on its own.Townsend’s warblerCalifornia quail.Western tanagerRuddy duckMount SlesseGreat horned owlet with its motherSleepy barred owlRufous hummingbirdHelmcken FallsCinnamon teal and blue-winged tealSavannah sparrowNicola LakeEdith’s checkerspotWildroseSpa’hats FallsYellow-bellied marmot familyOsprey with troutHungry fledged robins.Swallowtail butterfly
The following pictures were taken in the vicinity of Crooked Tree, in Belize with Eagle Eye Tours in February and March of this year.
Gartered trogonYellow-tailed orioleBarred antshrikeNorthern jacanaWhite ibis and Snowy egretSnail kiteLimpkin with snailYellow-crowned night heron (juvenile)Great blue heronNorthern jacana adult flying to two juvenile northern jacanasAgami heronYucatan woodpeckerRufous-browed peppershrikeVermillion flycatcherLittle blue heronRinged kingfisherRinged kingfisherSnail kite with snailGreen heronYucatan jayJabiru. (A large stork that stands five feet tall and has a wing span of eight feet.)American pygmy flycatcherCommon tody-flycatcherRusset-naped wood rail with chickGreen kingfisherGreater black hawkWhite-necked puffbirdBlack collared hawkYellow-headed Amazon (endangered)Snail kite (mature male)Black collared hawkGreater black hawkGreater black hawkAcorn woodpeckersOspreyJabiruBlack-crowned night heron
The following photos were taken on the February/ March tour with Eagle Eye Tours and were taken in the vicinity of the Jade Jungle Lodge and on day tours from this lodge.
Emerald toucanetSlaty-tailed trogonSquirrel cuckooViolet sabrewingBlack-headed trogonBand-backed wrenToday motmot. (A very difficult bird to photograph, inhabiting dark undergrowth).Central American pygmy owlAcorn woodpeckersRufous-tailed hummingbirdGrace’s warblerLesser yellow-headed vultureFerruginous pygmy owlCentral American pygmy-owlSwallow-tailed kiteButterfly emerging from chrysalisKeel-billed toucanWhite hawk
In late February, we travelled to Tikal, Guatemala and Belize with Eagle-Eye Tours. Tikal National Park is situated in the jungle of northeastern Guatemala and is one of the major sites of Mayan civilization. It was inhabited from the 6th Century BC to the 10th Century AD. Most of the larger Mayan buildings have been largely excavated, however the majority of structures remain covered by the jungle. The site is exceptional for biodiversity, with more than 300 species of birds, five species of cats, two species of monkeys, more than 100 species of mammals, more than 200 species of trees, as well as reptiles, amphibians, abundant insect types (I still have bites that itch!) and an incredible diversity of plants and flowers. The following photographs were all taken in Tikal. I will make subsequent postings from Belize.
Temple 1, also known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar.Orange-breasted falcon. This falcon is about the size of a peregrine and roosts on the Mayan structures.Orange-breasted falcon roosting on one of the Mayan ruins. This species is critically endangered.Ocellated turkey. This bird has the most incredible feathers. The refraction of light from its feathers result in a metallic sheen and changing colours.Ocellated turkey.Keel-billed toucan, tossing back a seedTawny-winged woodcreeperTropical royal flycatcherYucatan spider monkeyChestnut-coloured woodpeckerBlack-headed trogonCoatis
Roadside-hawk, on the nest.
American pygmy kingfisherAgoutiNorthern potooBoat-billed heronPale-billed woodpeckerPurple gallinuleBlue-grey gnatcatcherWhite-crowned parrotRed-lored parrotChachalacaBrown jayBarred forest falconRusset-naped wood rail, on the nest.View of one of the courtyards of the Mayan ruins.Mayan ruins “emerging” from the jungle.
The Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island provide excellent opportunities for winter birding. These are some of my favourites from this year- so far. (I am also including some winter scenery shots. This is such a beautiful area of the country!)
Varied thrushNorthern hawk owl (a rarity for this area)Common raven – performing its unique repertoire of strange calls!Cedar waxwing. Some stay over in this area for the winter.Surf scoter.Mount Baker (Kulshan) as seen from Boundary BayBald eagle. There are literally thousands of eagles in this region in winter months!Anna’s hummingbird. This hardy species winters in the area, and by mid-February, many have started nesting.Purple finchNorthern pygmy owlSpotted towheeWood duck henAmerican bitternNorthern pintailBewick’s wrenRuby-crowned kingletThe Salish Sea (Strait of Juan de Fuca) with the Olympic Mountains in the background.Northern flickerFox sparrowMarsh wrenThe view from Port RenfrewTrumpeter swansSnow geese, with Mount Cheam in the background
I had not encountered pygmy owls before moving to the Fraser Valley of British Columbia in 2019. Since then I have been fortunate in seeing them every year, generally on logging roads. It has become one of my favourite owls to photograph, because they are challenging to find. When you do find them, they will generally let you watch them for a long time period, as long as you maintain a healthy distance. Indeed, they will ignore you and will hunt as if you are not present. I have watched them catch small rodents as well as lizards, and have had them dive to the ground a few feet from me and fly right past me as if I weren’t there. The following pictures have been taken over the last five years.
The fierce look of the hunter. Although the pygmy owl looks “cute” it is a very capable hunter and will take on birds that are considerably larger than it is.The northern pygmy owl likes voles and shrews, as well as birds and lizards.Note the vole the owl has in its claws.This owl looks “innocent” until you notice the end of the rodent’s tail sticking out of its mouth.When alarmed, the pygmy owl “stretches” out appearing larger and taller.Commonly, you will see the northern pygmy owl, perched on top of a branch, from which it can see and listen for prey.I see the northern pygmy owl most often in ares that have been logged out perhaps ten years earlier, and where trees have started to grow back.This owl is guarding its prey, “mantling”, which is also something demonstrated by other species of owls.The northern pygmy owl is a cavity nester, and has nests fairly high up in trees (often fir trees) near its hunting areas. I believe this owl was close to its nest although I did not attempt to find the nest. It flew into this area after successfully hunting lizards.Southern cousins. Ferruginous pygmy owls, photographed in Costa Rica.
The following photos span nature photography outings in 2024. It was a wonderful year for photography, and brought many surprises. These are a few of my favourite photos. I have posted some of them before. I start each week, month and year wondering what I might be able to see, and as we enter 2025, I have the same question. Wishing everyone who reads this blog, a healthy and happy year!
Mating red-eyed leaf frogs. Taken in Costa Rica on a night walk. Jan.uaryJuvenile red-tailed hawk. Taken in Delta BC, in February.Great-blue herons on the nest. Taken in Abbotsford in February.Snow geese taking flight during the “golden hour”. Skagit County, Washington. March.Bobcat. Encountered while cycling the Vedder Trail in Chilliwack. March.Great-grey owl. BC Interior, April. I had been looking for owls when I walked past this one. It was only a few feet away and when it took flight I jumped. It was not perturbed by my presence however as it subsequently flew by me.Rocky Mountain bighorn ram. Jasper Alberta, April.Anna’s hummingbirds at the nest. Delta BC, April.Cinnamon teal. Ridgefield NWR, Washington. May.Aurora Borealis. Looking straight up. Sumas Prairie (Abbotsford BC). May.The amazing colours of the Lewis’s woodpecker. Grand Forks, BC. May.Dancing grebes. (mating ritual). Salmon Arm, BC. May.Northern gannet diving for fish. Saint Vincent’s, Newfoundland, June.Common loon feeding its chick. Gander, Newfoundland, July.Atlantic puffin. Elliston, Newfoundland, July.Beaver feeding on water lilies. Gander, NL, July.Humpback whale, lunge feeding. Trinity Bay, NL, July.Brown (grizzly) bear. Hyder AK, August.Brown bear getting a whiff of a more dominant bear, from which it ran. Hyder, AK. AugustSalmon Glacier, north of Stewart BC. August. The glaciers in this area are receding rapidly.Sooty grouse. Manning Provincial Park, BC. September.Green heron with dragonfly. Abbotsford, BC. OctoberAmerican bittern. Abbotsford BC. October.Hooded merganser drakes, “performing” for a nearby hen. Delta BC. November.Black bear with chum salmon. Lower Mainland, BC. November.Bald eagles fighting for a piece of salmon. Harrison Mills, BC, NovemberRiver otter. Abbotsford BC. November.Great-grey owl in the snow. BC Interior, December.Northern pygmy owl. BC Interior, December.
