2015 Bird Watching Recap

Life List Graph
Figure 1 Annual North American totals for bird species, lifers (species not previously observed), and checklists (observations from a specific location and time).

Like my first recap I had intended to post this sometime in January. This year I wanted to streamline my process from the kludgey mess I had been using. I’ve been successful in moving most of the data processing into R, but it did take a while. I’m now able to parse the csv from eBird containing my observations and extract the relevant information. I can then create year, and locations lists using dplyr. This information can then be used to generate graphs, html tables using xtable, or kml files using plotKML. The process is not live updating but for that to work this code would probably need to be ported into MySQL and I would probably need API access from eBird to my own observations. I’m also having an issue with each point in my exported KML file having their own individual style, which then requires some editing in Google Earth. I then still need to manually add it to My Maps before I can embed it on a webpage. I’d welcome any suggestions here for streamlining. If anyone is interested you can find a copy of my R code here. [click to continue…]

2014 Bird Watching Recap

Life List Graph
Figure 1 Annual North American totals for bird species, lifers (species not previously observed), and checklists (observations from a specific location and time).

2014 was another great birdwatching year for me with well over 200 species not including my November trip to Mexico making 2014 my best year yet (Fig. 1). Not surprisingly the majority of my birding happened in Metro Vancouver again this year but I did bird further afield than in 2013 (Fig. 2). Trips out to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington, the Okanagan, and Tofino helped bump up my year total relative to last year. Of my 245 North American (north of Mexico) species, 189 were from Metro Vancouver, 5 fewer species than in 2013. This drop in species was reflected in a drop in rank from 14 to 20 among Metro Vancouver eBird contributors [click to continue…]

<p><i>Phalacrocorax penicillatus</i>, Phalacrocoracidae<br />
Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Brandt's Cormorants

Phalacrocorax penicillatus, Phalacrocoracidae
Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Haematopus bachmani</i>, Haematopodidae<br />
Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Black Oystercatcher

Haematopus bachmani, Haematopodidae
Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Uria aalge</i>, Alcidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Common Murres

Uria aalge, Alcidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Puffinus creatopus</i>, Procellariidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Pink-footed Shearwater

Puffinus creatopus, Procellariidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Zalophus californianus</i>, OtariidaePelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, CanadaNikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6September 20, 2014</p>

California Sea Lion - ♂

Zalophus californianus, OtariidaePelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, CanadaNikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6September 20, 2014

<p><i>Xema sabini</i>, Laridae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Juvenile Sabine's Gull

Xema sabini, Laridae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Larus argentatus</i>, Laridae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Herring Gull

Larus argentatus, Laridae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Zalophus californianus</i>, Otariidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

California Sea Lion - ♂

Zalophus californianus, Otariidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Phoebastria nigripes</i>, Diomedeidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Black-footed Albatross

Phoebastria nigripes, Diomedeidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Mola mola</i>, Molidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Ocean Sunfish

Mola mola, Molidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Megaptera novaeangliae</i>, Balaenopteridae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae, Balaenopteridae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Callorhinus ursinus</i>, Otariidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Northern Fur Seal

Callorhinus ursinus, Otariidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Sula leucogaster</i>, Sulidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster, Sulidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Balaenoptera physalus</i>, Balaenopteridae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus, Balaenopteridae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Fulmaris glacialis</i>, Procellariidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Northern Fulmar

Fulmaris glacialis, Procellariidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Xema sabini</i>, Laridae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Flock of Sabine's Gulls

Xema sabini, Laridae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p>Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Fishing Boat Feeding Frenzy

Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Phoebastria immutabilis</i>, Diomedeidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Laysan Albatross

Phoebastria immutabilis, Diomedeidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Phoebastria nigripes</i>, Diomedeidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Black-footed Albatross

Phoebastria nigripes, Diomedeidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Phoebastria immutabilis</i>, Diomedeidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Laysan Albatross

Phoebastria immutabilis, Diomedeidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p>Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Tofino Coastline

Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p>Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Lone Cone

Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Orcinus orca</i>, Delphinidae<br />
Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Orcas

Orcinus orca, Delphinidae
Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p>Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Lennard Island Lighthouse

Inshore Waters, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

<p><i>Puffinus griseus</i>, Procellariidae<br />
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
September 20, 2014</p>

Sooty Shearwater

Puffinus griseus, Procellariidae
Pelagic Zone, off Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 20, 2014

Last month Sara and I were lucky enough to grab spots on a follow up Pelagic Cruise organized by Russell Canning after the great sightings from the previous weekend. Our skipper for the day was the owner of the Tofino Whale Centre John Forde. We departed from the Tofino docks at around 07:45 in somewhat foggy conditions for our over 7 hour pelagic cruise. [click to continue…]

<p>Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Solitary Bee

Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Enallagma</i> sp., Coenagrionidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Bluet - ♀

Enallagma sp., Coenagrionidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Chrysopa oculata</i>, Chrysopidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Golden-eyed Lacewing

Chrysopa oculata, Chrysopidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Ochlerotatus dorsalis</i>, Culicidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Mosquito - ♀

Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Culicidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p>Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Culicidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Mosquito - ♀

Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Culicidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Carterocephalus palaemon</i>, Hesperiidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Arctic Skipper

Carterocephalus palaemon, Hesperiidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p>Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Root Maggot Flies (I think) - ♂

Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p>Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Jumping Spider

Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Scudderia</i> sp., Tettigoniidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Bush Katydid Nymph

Scudderia sp., Tettigoniidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Cosmopepla lintneriana</i>, Pentatomidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Twice-stabbed Stink Bug

Cosmopepla lintneriana, Pentatomidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Cathartes aura</i>, Cathartidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Turkey vulture

Cathartes aura, Cathartidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Cathartes aura</i>, Cathartidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Newly Hatched Turkey Vulture Chick

Cathartes aura, Cathartidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Hybomitra</i> sp., Tabanidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Horse Fly - ♂

Hybomitra sp., Tabanidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Winthemia</i> sp., Tachinidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Tachinid Fly

Winthemia sp., Tachinidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p>Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Battle River Badlands

Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p>Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Battle River Badlands

Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Pyractomena borealis</i>, Lampyridae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Boreal Firefly

Pyractomena borealis, Lampyridae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Pyractomena borealis</i>, Lampyridae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 21, 2014</p>

Boreal Firefly

Pyractomena borealis, Lampyridae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 21, 2014

<p><i>Lygus</i> sp., Miridae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Lygus Bug

Lygus sp., Miridae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Allium textile</i>, Amaryllidaceae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Prairie Onion

Allium textile, Amaryllidaceae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Koeleria macrantha</i>, Aveneae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Junegrass

Koeleria macrantha, Aveneae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Erigeron caespitosus</i>, Asteraceae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Tufted Fleabane

Erigeron caespitosus, Asteraceae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Collops hirtellus</i>, sp., Melyridae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Soft-winged Flower Beetle

Collops hirtellus, sp., Melyridae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Xanthoria elegans</i>, Teloschistaceae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Elegant Sunburst Lichen

Xanthoria elegans, Teloschistaceae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Chlorochroa</i> sp., Pentatomidae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Stink Bug

Chlorochroa sp., Pentatomidae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

<p><i>Melanoplus</i> sp., Acrididae<br />
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
June 22, 2014</p>

Grasshopper Nymph

Melanoplus sp., Acrididae
Ferry Point Landing, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 22, 2014

Well, soon turned into a long time but here are my field notes from my not so recent trip to Ferry Point in the Battle River badlands. While it was my first trip out there, it seems the central Alberta naturalists have been gathering there for several years now. It provides a little taste of southern Alberta tucked into the fields of central Alberta.

I joined up with the other naturalist at around noon for a survey of the local prairie potholes. We saw a good variety a ducks, especially by summer Vancouver standards, including some courting Ruddy Ducks and some backlit Red Heads. After the pond birding we made a quick stop at a farm yard to check out the local colony of Purple Martins. Our next stop was an abandoned farm yard where we were lucky enough to have Wayne Nelson from Fish and Wildlife take us in small groups through an old farm house to see a nesting Turkey Vulture and her newly hatched chick. I also was able to get some good macro shots as I waited to see the Turkey Vulture. In addition to birding my Dad also celebrated his 60th birthday so there was of course some birthday cake to be enjoyed. After dinner we were also lucky enough to spot a family of Great Horned Owls near the campground. That evening we treated to a display from the local fireflies with one even lighting up in the palm of my hand.

The next day we stayed closer to the campground and did some botanizing on the adjoining property with some great badland topography. While we were heading out to botanize the birds conspired to hold most of my attention. I think the highlight may have been when we had 5 Turkey Vultures soaring just above our group at low altitude. I was also surprised to see a group of Lark Sparrows, which I have always thought of as a strictly Southern Alberta bird. There was also lots of great insect life out, including a bunch of Tiger Beetles who eluded me and my young assistants.

It was a productive birding weekend for me with 17 new species for my year list, including lots of east of the Rockies species like Swainson’s Hawk, Clay-colored Sparrow and Baltimore Oriole. I don’t think I’ve ever been so pleased to add American Crow and Black-billed Magpie to my list before. Over the two days I ended up with 60 different bird species either seen or heard. You can see the full list by checking out the KMZ file below.



<p><i>Tellima grandiflora</i>, Saxifragaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Fragrant Fringecup

Tellima grandiflora, Saxifragaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Adiantum pedatum</i>, Pteridaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Northern Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum, Pteridaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Smilacina racemosa</i>, Asparagaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

False Solomon's-seal

Smilacina racemosa, Asparagaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Disporum trachycarpum</i>, Colchicaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Fairy Bells

Disporum trachycarpum, Colchicaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Dicentra formosa</i>, Fumariaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Pacific Bleeding Heart

Dicentra formosa, Fumariaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Lunaria annua</i>, Brassicaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Honesty

Lunaria annua, Brassicaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Taraxacum officinale</i>, Asteraceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Common Dandelion Puffball

Taraxacum officinale, Asteraceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p>Calliphoridae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Calliphorid Fly

Calliphoridae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Acer circinatum</i>, Sapindaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Vine Maple

Acer circinatum, Sapindaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Mahonia nervosa</i>, Berberidaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Dwarf Oregon-grape

Mahonia nervosa, Berberidaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

<p><i>Geum macrophyllum</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
May 11, 2014</p>

Large-leaved Yellow Avens

Geum macrophyllum, Rosaceae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 11, 2014

I spent this past Mother’s day enjoying the nice weather on Burnaby Mountain. I had a good day of birding adding a bunch of spring migrants to my year list. As always with my first spring outing, I spent a good chunk of the morning working on my rusty birdcalls. It always takes me a while to get the difference between Pacific-slope & Hammond’s Flycatchers straight in my head and it seems to me that the Black-throated Gray Warbler’s song doesn’t match the recordings I’ve heard. Despite these difficulties with my bird call ID, I saw a good variety of warblers, including large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers moving through. The highlight for the day was picking up a Chipping Sparrow for my BC list, in the rose garden near Horizons. I spent more than 7 hours wandering the trails near Horizons covering over 7 kilometers and getting a really wicked sunburn but my effort was rewarded with 28 species of birds. [click to continue…]

2013 Bird Watching Recap

Life List Graph
Figure 1 The number of bird species observed by year, the number of lifers (species not previously observed) by year, and the number of checklists submitted by year. The number of checklists is a measure of effort. One checklist includes all bird observations from a specific location at a specific date and time. This graph includes only North American observations and omits a two week trip to Costa Rica in 2012.

Well, this post was supposed to be up in early January and now it’s the end of March, but I really wanted to have some bird lists up when I posted this. I’m going to blame candidacy exam preparations and a steep learning curve when it came to parsing my data from ebird. I do finally, after more than a year, have some active links to birding lists in the menu above. The process is still very kludgy, is not live updating, and for the maps involves a pipeline shunting the data from excel to R to a csv to kml converter and then through google earth. Not in any way ideal but better than nothing till I learn more mySQL. Now we move from excuses and nerdy programing minutia to nerdy birdwatching minutia, buckle up!

[click to continue…]
<p>Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Stump

Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Cygnus buccinator</i>, Anserinae<br />
Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator, Anserinae
Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p>Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Fallow & Foggy Field

Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p>Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Foggy Silhouette

Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Buteo jamaicensis</i>, Accipitridae<br />
Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Red-tailed Hawk with Long-billed Hawk Syndrome

Buteo jamaicensis, Accipitridae
Brunswick Point, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Grus canadensis</i>, Gruidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis, Gruidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas platyrhynchus</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Mallard Crowd v.2

Anas platyrhynchus, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p>George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Feeding Frenzy

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Grus canadensis</i>, Gruidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis, Gruidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Poecile atricapillus</i>, Paridae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

A Bold Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus, Paridae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Picoides pubescens</i>, Picidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Downy Woodpecker - ♀

Picoides pubescens, Picidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Junco hyemalis</i>, Emberizidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Dark-eyed Junco

Junco hyemalis, Emberizidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Aix sponsa</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Wood Duck - ♂

Aix sponsa, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas platyrhynchus</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Mallard - ♂

Anas platyrhynchus, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas platyrhynchus</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Waddling Mallards

Anas platyrhynchus, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p>George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Foggy Pond

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i>, Accipitridae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Accipitridae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas acuta</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Northern Pintail - ♂

Anas acuta, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas american</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

American Wigeon - ♀

Anas american, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Columba livia</i>, Columbidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia, Columbidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Columba livia</i>, Columbidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

A (Rock) Pigeon in Hand

Columba livia, Columbidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Agelaius phoeniceus</i>, Icteridae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Red-winged Blackbird - ♂

Agelaius phoeniceus, Icteridae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas acuta</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Northern Pintail - ♀

Anas acuta, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Fulica americana</i>, Rallidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

American Coot

Fulica americana, Rallidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas platyrhynchus</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Mallard - ♀

Anas platyrhynchus, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

<p><i>Anas platyrhynchus</i>, Anatidae<br />
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
January 24, 2014</p>

Mallard showing Drake Feathers

Anas platyrhynchus, Anatidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 24, 2014

Sara I headed out to Delta last Friday to enjoy the nice weather. Unfortunately the sun was obscured by dense fog patches near the Strait of Georgia. We heard the fog horn blasting all day. The fog did make for some interesting photo opportunities at Reifel & Brunswick Point. [click to continue…]

Field Notes – Stanley Park, November 14, 2013

<p><i>Poecile rufescens</i>, Parulidae<br />
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescens, Parulidae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p><i>Larus glaucescens</i>, Laridae<br />
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens, Laridae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p><i>Aix sponsa</i>, Anatidae<br />
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Male Wood Duck

Aix sponsa, Anatidae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Beaverlake Beaver Lodge

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p><i>Sciurus carolinensis</i>, Sciuridae<br />
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Eastern Grey Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis, Sciuridae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p><i>Tamiasciurus douglasii</i>, Sciuridae<br />
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Juvenile Douglas Squirrel

Tamiasciurus douglasii, Sciuridae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p><i>Regulus satrapa</i>, Regulidae<br />
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa, Regulidae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Shadowy Trunks

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Stanley Park Causeway

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

That's a Big Tree

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Armada of Anchored Ships

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Siwash Rock

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Seawall

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

Second Beach Mulligan

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p>Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
November 14, 2013</p>

English Bay Sunset

Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

As I mentioned in a previous photo of the week Sara and I visited Stanley Park on a sunny day last month. For a change on this outing we headed for Beaver Lake instead of Lost Lagoon. [click to continue…]

<p><i>Oxytropis splendens</i>, Fabaceae<br />
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 7, 2012</p>

Showy Locoweed

Oxytropis splendens, Fabaceae
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p><i>Dryas drummondii</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 7, 2012</p>

Yellow Mountain Avens

Dryas drummondii, Rosaceae
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p><i>Elymus innovatus</i>, Triticeae<br />
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 7, 2012</p>

Hairy Wild Rye

Elymus innovatus, Triticeae
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p><i>Hedysarum alpinum</i>, Fabaceae<br />
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 7, 2012</p>

Alpine Hedysarum

Hedysarum alpinum, Fabaceae
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p>Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 7, 2012</p>

Signal Mountain & Mount Tekarra

Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p><i>Clematis orientalis</i>, Ranunculaceae<br />
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 7, 2012</p>

Chinese Clematis

Clematis orientalis, Ranunculaceae
Jasper Townsite, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p><i>Dryas octopetala</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

White Mountain Avens

Dryas octopetala, Rosaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Potentilla villosa</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Northern Cinquefoil

Potentilla villosa, Rosaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Silene acaulis</i>, Caryophyllaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Moss Campion

Silene acaulis, Caryophyllaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Anemone drummondii lithophila</i>, Ranunculaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Drummond's Anemone

Anemone drummondii lithophila, Ranunculaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Erysimum pallasii</i>, Brassicaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Pallas' Wallflower

Erysimum pallasii, Brassicaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Oxytropis podocarpa</i>, Fabaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Stalkpod Locoweed

Oxytropis podocarpa, Fabaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Cerastium beeringianum beeringianum</i>, Caryophyllaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Bering Chickweed

Cerastium beeringianum beeringianum, Caryophyllaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Erigeron pallens</i>, Asteraceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Purple Daisy

Erigeron pallens, Asteraceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Saxifraga cernua</i>, Saxifragaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Nodding Saxifrage

Saxifraga cernua, Saxifragaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Draba macounii</i>, Brassicaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Macoun's Draba

Draba macounii, Brassicaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Ranunculus grayi</i>, Ranunculaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Arctic Buttercup

Ranunculus grayi, Ranunculaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Cardamine bellidifolia</i>, Brassicaceae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Alpine Bittercress

Cardamine bellidifolia, Brassicaceae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Pardosa</i>, Lycosidae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Wolf Spider

Pardosa, Lycosidae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Eremophila alpestris</i>, Alaudidae<br />
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestris, Alaudidae
Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 8, 2012

<p>Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Mount Edith Cavell

Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 8, 2012

<p>Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Jasper Tramway Upper Station

Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 8, 2012

<p>Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100<br />
July 8, 2012</p>

Victoria Cross Ranges

Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100
July 8, 2012

This post is the last in a series about last summer’s trip to Vancouver. On the way back to Edmonton we stopped in Jasper National Park for the night. That evening I took a few photos along Wapiti Trail on the way to the Jasper Brewing Company. The next morning we took the Jasper Tramway up to the top of the Whistlers. The tramway is a great way to see the alpine without all of that pesky hiking (3-5 hours). It also a great place to photograph the alpine flora with a bunch of plants found only at high elevations. In addition to the plants there is of course great mountain scenery. You can see our route on the map below. [click to continue…]

<p><i>Sympetrum vicinum</i>, Libellulidae<br/>Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br/>Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br/>October 6, 2013</p>

Male Autumn Meadowhawk

Sympetrum vicinum, Libellulidae
Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 6, 2013

<p><i>Aeshna umbrosa</i>, Aeshnidae<br/>Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br/>Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br/>October 6, 2013</p>

Female Shadow Darner

Aeshna umbrosa, Aeshnidae
Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 6, 2013

<p><i>Sympetrum costiferum</i>, Libellulidae<br/>Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br/>Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br/>October 6, 2013</p>

Male Saffron-winged Meadowhawk

Sympetrum costiferum, Libellulidae
Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 6, 2013

A couple weeks ago I headed out to Grant Narrows following up on some reports of a Great Egret. After getting some good views of the Egret from the northern viewing tower, I took a short walk down the Nature Trail. I was again impressed by the diversity of odonates. I was surprised to see any dragonflies flying in October let alone three species. After some reading I found my surprise was misplaced as several dragonflies in Southern BC fly well into October with the flight period of the Shadow Darner extending into early November.