Photo of the Week

White-throated Magpie-Jay
White-throated Magpie-Jay
Calocitta formosa, Corvidae
Sendero Colada 1968, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 7, 2012

For various reasons I haven’t been out photographing in a while, so enjoy another photo from Costa Rica. This Jay reminded Sara of a saloon girl and for the rest of the trip she referred to it as a tarted up Blue Jay.

Photo of the Week

Bejuco picado
Bejuco picado
Gurania makoyana, Cucurbitaceae
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 6, 2012

One more late post, hope to catch up next week. This weeks photo is a showy vine from our trip to Costa Rica. I was surprised to find that this vine is actually related to cucumber and melons and not surprisingly has bitter pickle sized fruits. These fruits have been used for medicinal purposes and Bejuco actually refers to many central american vines with reputed curative properties.

Photo of the Week

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma mexicanum, Ardeidae
Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Limón, Costa Rica
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 3, 2012

Another late post and this time without a good excuse. Next photo of the week this Sunday for sure. That being said please enjoy this beautiful Bare-throated Tiger-Heron from Sara’s and my honeymoon trip to Costa Rica. We saw this male displaying on a buttress root for a female as we rounded a bend in the canal. Our eager suitor was kind enough to pose for photos as our boat approached. I really like how the yellow throat of the heron picks up on the yellow lettering of the signs in the background. This is definitely one of my favourite shots from the trip.

Photo of the Week

Banded Peacock
Banded Peacock
Anartia fatima, Nymphalidae
Hotel Bougainvillea, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 1, 2012

This week we dive once more into the archive. Sara and I spent two weeks in Costa Rica for our Honeymoon in February of 2012. I took this shot of one of the more common butterflies in the extensive gardens of the Hotel Bougainvillea, near San José.

<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…]

Photo of the Week

On Alert
On Alert
Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 13, 2012

This week we are diving back in the archives to the summer of 2012 with this cheeky Ground Squirrel shot. I took this photo at one of my favorite birding spots where I really cut my teeth as a birder. I find this shot very reminiscent of a certain default Windows XP background image, but with a little rodent thrown in for colour.

Photo of the Week

European Columbine
European Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris, Ranunculaceae
Hyas Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

This weeks photo takes us again back to the archives. I took this photo at Hyas Lake near Kamloops. Sara and I stayed there overnight on our way back from Vancouver during summer 2012. This bright purple flower is European Columbine which not surprisingly is introduced here, unlike the three native Columbine species that occur in BC.

Photo of the Week

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

I haven’t felt very compelled to get out into the field in the last few weeks and my few recent outings haven’t been very productive photographically. This has left me with some time to catch up on my backlog of unprocessed photos. This weeks photo is from last summer’s roadtrip to Vancouver. On the return trip we took the Jasper Tramway up to the top of the Whistlers. You may recognize this shot of Mount Edith Cavell as one of the header images. I really like the green mats of vegetation juxtaposed with the blue of the mountains in the background. Look for a full set of field notes soon.

<p><i>Ligia occidentalis</i>, Ligiidae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

California Sea Slater

Ligia occidentalis, Ligiidae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p>Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Point Atkinson Lighthouse

Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Sedum acre</i>, Crassulaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Goldmoss Stonecrop

Sedum acre, Crassulaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Brodiaea coronaria</i>, Liliaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Harvest Brodiaea

Brodiaea coronaria, Liliaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Gaultheria shallon</i>, Ericaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Salal

Gaultheria shallon, Ericaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Rubus armeniacus</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Himalayan Blackberry

Rubus armeniacus, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Spiraea douglasii</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Douglas' Spiraea

Spiraea douglasii, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Poecile rufescens</i>, Parulidae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Poecile rufescens, Parulidae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Mahonia nervosa</i>, Berberidaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Dwarf Oregon-grape

Mahonia nervosa, Berberidaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Holodiscus discolor</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Ocean Spray

Holodiscus discolor, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Rubus spectabilis</i>, Rosaceae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis, Rosaceae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

<p><i>Certhia americana</i>, Certhiidae<br />
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br />
July 6, 2012</p>

Brown Creeper

Certhia americana, Certhiidae
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 6, 2012

This post is once again reaching back into the archives to last summer’s trip to Vancouver. Sara and I decided to take the Sea to Sky on our trip back to Edmonton. On the way we stopped for a short hike at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. Sara was eager to check out the intertidal zone so we walked along Beacon Lane Trail as directly as possible (no mean feat for me when naturalizing) to the rocky shore at the south end of the park. I spent a bunch of time hoping between rocks shooting the California Sea Slaters and wildflowers growing in cracks. While introduced, Goldmoss Stonecrop was one of the most striking flowers growing along the shore. Its succulent sessile leaves and bright yellow flowers make this plant very distinctive. [click to continue…]

Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Larus glaucescens, Laridae
Barnet Marine Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 5, 2012

As I mentioned in my earlier post, Sara and I took a trip out to Vancouver last summer. On one day of our trip we visited both Burnaby Mountain Park and Barnet Marine Park. The weather was beautiful and sunny, which I am told was a welcome change from the cold rainy weather in June. As always there were great views of Vancouver from the mountain, I saw a bunch of new plants, and I took some good bird and insect shots. You can see all my photos from Burnaby Mountain Park and Barnet Marine Park on Flickr. [click to continue…]