Steller's Jay - My gateway bird. I met my first one about three years ago, There he was, just sitting on a branch about three feet away from me - all blue and beautiful and full of attitude. I hadn't even known they existed. It made me wonder what else I could see if I started paying attention. A whole new world, it turns out.

#stellersjay #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #vogel #oiseau #කුරුල්ලන්

This is, without a doubt the strangest bird I have ever seen. It's like a cross between an owl a nightjar. Although I actually prefer birding on my own without a guide, even if that means not spotting as many birds, I am very glad that I had the sharp eyes of my guide with me on this day in the rainforest or I would never have spotted this very well hidden Sri Lanka Frogmouth.

#srilankafrogmouth #sinharaja #srilanka
#nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #vogel #oiseau #කුරුල්ලන්

I am not nearly through all of my bird pictures from Sri Lanka, but I am taking a break to share this picture I took yesterday of an Anna's Hummingbird feeding her babies. I don't think I have ever been happier that I dished out for a long-range lens.

#annashummingbird #nest #babybirds #explorebc #canada #birdingbc
#nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #vogel #oiseau

I know Muscovy Ducks are not uncommon in North America, but I had to go to Sri Lanka to meet one. For a place with such amazing bird diversity, there are very few ducks and most of them domestic types like this guy. Maybe it has something to do with the crocodiles and sitting ducks being sitting ducks.

#muscovyduck #srilanka #colombo #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau #තාරාවා

A Snow Bunting modestly pretending that he isn't the cutest bird ever.

#snowbunting #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau

This is a female Red-shafted Northern Flicker. Flickers are much easier to spot than most woodpeckers, but that doesn't mean they are any the less interesting. One of my goals for this year is to catch their mating dance when two males will engage in a dance off before a prospective mate.

#northernflicker #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau

A Northern Shoveler, who at first glance looks like a dozen other non-descript female ducks, until you notice that huge bill with the built in filter to strain the food from the water. I'm assuming all the other ducks are a little bitter about having to accomplish the job with their tiny little duck lips.

#northernshoveler #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau

This sweet, unassuming Taiga Flycatcher has created quite a stir around here. She may look to some like just another little brown bird, but it is the first time that one has been reported in Canada and only the second time in North America.

#taiga #taigaflycatcher #rarebird #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau

I always think Varied Thrushes are American Robins at first glance because they are shaped quite similarly, but I'm always quite thrilled when they aren't, Because frankly, Robins are everywhere, they aren't nearly as good looking, and Varied Thrushes just generally seem to be far better natured.

#variedthrush #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau

It is easy to feel this time of year in Vancouver that the sun will never shine again. So, to remind myself of brighter days I am posting a picture of this lovely Northern Rough-winged Swallow who is off somewhere chasing the sun. But, eventually the light will once again prevail, and he will be back.

#northernroughwingedswallow #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birds #birdphotography #explorebc #canada #birdingbc #vogel #oiseau