Here's a Cliff Swallow (from June). Not having a cliff handy, a large colony took over a tower lookout. It was an example of adaptability that we could probably all learn from as we head into the post-hopeful future.

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

a Kingfisher at the exact moment he is committing to one particularly delicious looking fish.

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

Greater Yellowlegs in Flight
Merlin told me this was a lesser yellowlegs, but a greater authority @kcscrimshaw said that the area saw very few lesser. So, doing what any curious bird enthusiast would do, I ignored all pressing and meaningful responsibilities to learn the differences between yellowlegs in flight. Apparently, the easiest sign is the slight neck bulge. A lesser has a shorter neck such that it is completely streamlined. This is either a greater yellowlegs, or a lesser on steroids.
#birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #natgeo #vogel #oiseau #shorebirds #oiseaux #marshbirds #natgeowildlife #wildlifebc #explorebc #canada #birdingbc

A Northern Shrike looking remarkably cuddly for a bird that impales its prey.

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

This is a Short-billed Gull. If you are familiar with Short-billed Gulls your first reaction is probably "no, it isn't" But it is. It's just very, very light. It doesn't have albinism because there is some light brown in the feathers. I don't think it's leucistic because the colour that is there is very even. There's no evidence of the usual blotchiness. So, just a strange and beautiful mystery bird.

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

The swallows are all gone for the season now, but the Barn Swallows have been coming back earlier and earlier so I'm hoping it won't be too long before I get to see this cheeky face again.

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

Spotted Redshanks are very rare here (six spotted ever in this province), but one blew into town for a couple of days in October. All the Dowitchers and Yellow Legs appeared to instantly accept him as one of their own no matter how flagrantly he showed off his scarlet legs.

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

This time of year, I'm pretty much limited to getting pictures of birds who don't mind the rain. Luckily there's always a few White-crowned Sparrows around, who wouldn't dream of letting a bit of moisture cramp their style.

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

A lot of birders don't bother with gulls. I get it, If they aren't stealing your lunch they're confounding you with the near impossibility of distinguishing between species unless you are dealing with breeding adults and sometimes not even then. But, they are fascinating creatures, and worth the effort to get to know. If I hadn't started paying attention, I wouldn't even have known that these small, beautiful Bonaparte's Gulls come and visit us this time of year.

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

Spotted Towhees are very common here, and we have them year round, but you don't need to be rare to win my heart. I love these guys.

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