Avian Alpine Slalom

Felt like this pelican was performing an 'event' - dropping in from 30 feet and here we have 'Pete the Pelican' shredding his way into the landing. I give him a 10 for the slide and an 11 for that bill ornament.

Rhododendron In Bloom

Tiny King

It's so entertaining, watching the hummingbirds fly around, chasing one another away. I could honestly just watch them all day, too bad I have to go to work! In the mornings, I just sit there, drinking my coffee and being surrounded by songs of all the nearby birds, and the buzzing of hummingbirds as they zip around. In the afternoon, they are back at it and although they are quite chaotic, I find it so soothing.

Regeneration

Wildfires are an increasing part of Canadian life and can be devastating, but here we see life carrying on in a forest that recently saw a fire sweep through it. A Great Grey Owl hunts to feed her fledgling amidst trees bearing the scars of fire (note the scorched bark). It makes for a great juxtaposition, but also demonstrates the resilience of nature.

This is Also My Tree

Having trees right off our porch, means so much wildlife choose them to sit in and rest. This Rufous has claimed an open spot so he can guard both trees. Luckily for me, it is a clear opening to get some photos of him.

May I Have This Dance?

I am so happy that the Hummingbirds have returned. I try to get out as much as possible to photograph these adorable birds. First, the Rufous show up, which we seem to have more of this year. Soon after, the Calliope arrive, and hopefully again, the Black-chinned hummingbird will come back, which isn't so common for them to be here. I love this shot, sure the wings are blurred, but I had to risk my camera settings to keep the iso lower. When I looked at this photo on my computer, it looked like he was inviting a partner to dance with him. What do you think this movement says?

Kind of the hill

Took a run out to my favourite place to see my favourite critter

This is My Tree Now

My goal for this season? To try and photograph as many jumping spiders as I can. I just love these little ones, finding them has proven to be difficult, but I have already come across two this spring. I can't wait to see what else I will come across this year, I am determined to try my best to find these adorable little critters. This one peered over a leaf at the top of our plum tree and looked right at me, thankfully, it didn't jump on me. I think they are cute and all, but don't know how I would handle one jumping on my face!

Caught Mid Air

Our plum tree is coming into bloom and it is full of these bees, which I believe are Mining bees? They are a lot of fun to try to photograph, they don't sit still on a flower for long, which was proving to be difficult, but I wasn't ready to give up. As I was focused on this one, it flew off to find another flower close by.

Tiny Spec

When the dandelions were first starting to pop up, I was so eager to find some bees to photograph. I have been waiting, for what feels like forever, to get my macro out to photograph any bug I can. That's when I saw a tiny spec on a dandelion, at first, I thought it was a grain of sand, but as soon as I focused my macro on it, I saw it had a snout. I had found a teeny tiny weevil! I was so excited, I haven't seen one this small before, which put my macro lens and camera (okay, and me) to the ultimate test.

Cover Me In Pollen

There are so many dandelions popping up and the bees are going crazy for them. I love getting low to the ground and waiting for one to land on a nearby flower. This one was covered in pollen by the time it came around to where I was.

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Razzle Dazzle

If you look up the word "razzle dazzle," it perfectly describes the rufous hummingbird. "Razzle dazzle" refers to a showy, flamboyant display designed to attract attention or create excitement, often characterized by glitter, glamour, and high energy." It's truly a gem amongst all the birds and certainly one of my faves! This little spitfire has returned to my Kootenays BC garden after a long journey home from its wintering grounds.

The Return

The first bison I saw return after a long, harsh winter did not disappoint. Regal and powerful, this ancient herbivore commanded its surroundings as many stopped to stare and admire.

Little Ball of Fluff

Portrait of a recently fledged Great Horn Owlet showcasing its fuzzy plumage. This young owlet is finding new found freedom, out of the nest, via a new perch it was observing a butterfly that fluttered by, while a squirrel in a nearby tree garnered much of its attention. This all under the watchfull gaze of its mother in a nearby. *I took this photo - from the trail path, with a clear view in the distance.

Accelerated Takeoff

There is nothing more spectacular than witnessing an owl in flight. Silent, yet majestic - wings expanded out, gliding through the trees. During a morning walk, I spotted a Great Horned Owl along one of our wooded trails. I paused on the trail, readied my camera to take a few quick pictures of it perched within the trees, just as it decided to take flight. To my surprise I was able to capture it's accelerated takeoff - wings out and feet in the air, as it flew to another nearby tree .

Avian Alpine Slalom

Felt like this pelican was performing an 'event' - dropping in from 30 feet and here we have 'Pete the Pelican' shredding his way into the landing. I give him a 10 for the slide and an 11 for that bill ornament.

Rhododendron In Bloom

Tiny King

It's so entertaining, watching the hummingbirds fly around, chasing one another away. I could honestly just watch them all day, too bad I have to go to work! In the mornings, I just sit there, drinking my coffee and being surrounded by songs of all the nearby birds, and the buzzing of hummingbirds as they zip around. In the afternoon, they are back at it and although they are quite chaotic, I find it so soothing.

Regeneration

Wildfires are an increasing part of Canadian life and can be devastating, but here we see life carrying on in a forest that recently saw a fire sweep through it. A Great Grey Owl hunts to feed her fledgling amidst trees bearing the scars of fire (note the scorched bark). It makes for a great juxtaposition, but also demonstrates the resilience of nature.

This is Also My Tree

Having trees right off our porch, means so much wildlife choose them to sit in and rest. This Rufous has claimed an open spot so he can guard both trees. Luckily for me, it is a clear opening to get some photos of him.

May I Have This Dance?

I am so happy that the Hummingbirds have returned. I try to get out as much as possible to photograph these adorable birds. First, the Rufous show up, which we seem to have more of this year. Soon after, the Calliope arrive, and hopefully again, the Black-chinned hummingbird will come back, which isn't so common for them to be here. I love this shot, sure the wings are blurred, but I had to risk my camera settings to keep the iso lower. When I looked at this photo on my computer, it looked like he was inviting a partner to dance with him. What do you think this movement says?

Kind of the hill

Took a run out to my favourite place to see my favourite critter

This is My Tree Now

My goal for this season? To try and photograph as many jumping spiders as I can. I just love these little ones, finding them has proven to be difficult, but I have already come across two this spring. I can't wait to see what else I will come across this year, I am determined to try my best to find these adorable little critters. This one peered over a leaf at the top of our plum tree and looked right at me, thankfully, it didn't jump on me. I think they are cute and all, but don't know how I would handle one jumping on my face!

Caught Mid Air

Our plum tree is coming into bloom and it is full of these bees, which I believe are Mining bees? They are a lot of fun to try to photograph, they don't sit still on a flower for long, which was proving to be difficult, but I wasn't ready to give up. As I was focused on this one, it flew off to find another flower close by.

Tiny Spec

When the dandelions were first starting to pop up, I was so eager to find some bees to photograph. I have been waiting, for what feels like forever, to get my macro out to photograph any bug I can. That's when I saw a tiny spec on a dandelion, at first, I thought it was a grain of sand, but as soon as I focused my macro on it, I saw it had a snout. I had found a teeny tiny weevil! I was so excited, I haven't seen one this small before, which put my macro lens and camera (okay, and me) to the ultimate test.

Cover Me In Pollen

There are so many dandelions popping up and the bees are going crazy for them. I love getting low to the ground and waiting for one to land on a nearby flower. This one was covered in pollen by the time it came around to where I was.

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Peek-a-boo Moose

A moose hiding in the dense woods peeking out curiously. Taken by shutterleaf.photography on Instagram with Canon 80D

Razzle Dazzle

If you look up the word "razzle dazzle," it perfectly describes the rufous hummingbird. "Razzle dazzle" refers to a showy, flamboyant display designed to attract attention or create excitement, often characterized by glitter, glamour, and high energy." It's truly a gem amongst all the birds and certainly one of my faves! This little spitfire has returned to my Kootenays BC garden after a long journey home from its wintering grounds.

The Return

The first bison I saw return after a long, harsh winter did not disappoint. Regal and powerful, this ancient herbivore commanded its surroundings as many stopped to stare and admire.

Little Ball of Fluff

Portrait of a recently fledged Great Horn Owlet showcasing its fuzzy plumage. This young owlet is finding new found freedom, out of the nest, via a new perch it was observing a butterfly that fluttered by, while a squirrel in a nearby tree garnered much of its attention. This all under the watchfull gaze of its mother in a nearby. *I took this photo - from the trail path, with a clear view in the distance.

Accelerated Takeoff

There is nothing more spectacular than witnessing an owl in flight. Silent, yet majestic - wings expanded out, gliding through the trees. During a morning walk, I spotted a Great Horned Owl along one of our wooded trails. I paused on the trail, readied my camera to take a few quick pictures of it perched within the trees, just as it decided to take flight. To my surprise I was able to capture it's accelerated takeoff - wings out and feet in the air, as it flew to another nearby tree .