The Life List: British Columbia
A list of all the birds I’ve seen in BC so far! Updated as new birds pop up (or as I remember them)
Pacific Wren
The Pacific Wren has somehow managed to be one of the loudest birds in the woods as well as one of the more elusive birds. Often, I hear the birds all around me, but due to their small size and mouse-like movements, they are gone almost as quickly as I…
Pied-Billed Grebes
There are certain birds that give me dinosaur vibes more than others, and pied-billed grebes are definitely one of them. Specifically, they remind me of one featured in BBC’s Walking with Dinosaurs: Spirits of the Ice Forest called Leaellynasaura. Seeing this bird next to that tiny dino is all the…
Mallard Ducks
Mallard ducks are high on the list for recognizable ducks species. They can be found throughout North America, Europe, parts of Asia, and have been introduced to other parts of the world. They are popular with hunters as well; according to Hinterland Who’s Who over 50% of all ducks hunted…
The Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is one of the most recognizable eagle species out there, especially in North America. The white head, contrasting brown body, and mean mug are iconic, and for some a symbol of freedom. For photographers, they tend to make excellent subjects. I personally find their eyes particularly interesting…
Lesser Snow Geese
Each winter, the Lesser Snow Geese travel all the way from Wrangel Island, Russia and the Arctic to winter in “warmer” parts of Canada. They travel in groups numbering in the hundreds and thousands. They are one of the most abundant species of geese in Canada (sorry, Canada Goose!), and…
Golden-Crowned Kinglets
My Fall 2021 obsession is these small, flighty birds known as golden-crowned kinglets. Unfortunately, I have only been able to get one decent photo, but hopefully with time, there will be more. Finding Golden-Crowned Kinglets In my experience, golden-crowned kinglets are heard before they’re seen. Listen for a very high-pitched…
Cedar Waxwings
I’m a little bit obsessed with cedar waxwings. I first saw them in a field guide, and immediately knew I had to see one. I had a few quick sightings in the woods but was never able to get a clear shot at one until I went up to Chehalis…
Great Blue Herons
When I think of my little corner of the world, great blue herons come to mind. There can be seen so often that I think of them as the “official bird” of the area. Despite how often I see them, I never get bored of taking their photo. Finding Great…
Eastern Kingbirds: Tyrant Birds
Eastern kingbirds: the unassuming bully of open wetlands and grasslands. Learn how this flycatcher climbed to the top and became king.
Western Tanagers
Never in a million years would I think that I would get to see a bird as stunning as western tanagers. Seeing one was a pure fluke — I stopped to admire some ferns growing off of a tree trunk, and looked up and just the right moment to see…
Bonaparte’s Gull
I was hanging out at the beach looking for something other than seagulls, but couldn’t resist how cute this small gull is. I had no idea what I was looking at and assumed it was probably just a younger seagull. It wasn’t until I got home that I was able…
Downy Woodpeckers
Downy woodpeckers are one of the cutest woodpeckers around, no contest. While they are quite wide-spread in North America, I see them the least out of the 4 species of woodpecker in my area, which is a shame. Identification Downy woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America. They look…
White-Crowned Sparrows
White-crowned sparrows are fairly common in my area, but they’re still one of my favourite birds to watch. Seeing them together in a patch of grass looking for food as a flock reminds me of my dad’s old stories about birds from Portugal, and it’s sort of like seeing things…
Black-Capped Chickadees
There was a point in time where black-capped chickadees were my goal bird. Not because they’re that interesting or rare, but because they were just too damn fast for me to get a photo of and it irked me. How could a bird this abundant be so difficult? Eventually, I…
Otterly Adorable: The Asian Small-Clawed Otter
There’s few things as cute as otters. Read all about the smallest otters, the Asian small-clawed otter in this edition of Friday Facts.
Wood Ducks: Firequakers
What do you get when you mix a wood duck and fireworks? Firequakers. But seriously, there’s no competition — wood ducks are one of the most beautiful waterfowl in North America. They haven’t been easy to photograph though. When I first came across a pair in the woods, I could…
‘Hairy’ Tales: The Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated woodpeckers aren’t the only peckers around. Meet the Hairy Woodpecker, a smaller woodpecker found all over North America.
Fast & Furious: Anna’s Hummingbird
I still vividly remember seeing my first hummingbird in my backyard. This bird came over the fence and hovered right in front of me. I had no idea we even had them here; they always seemed like something that was too cool to live near me. And after a short…
Specifics About Pacific Bushtits
The first time I saw bushtits, I had no idea what I was looking at. It had just finished raining, and from my living room I could hear little tiny peeps from outside. Curious, I went out side with my camera and saw the tiniest of birds hopping around the…