This area on the west coast of Vancouver Island is my favourite destination in the world. The opportunities for great photos are endless. There are coastal mountains, many long, broad beaches, lush temperate rainforests, plus a great variety of resilient marine life, both large and small.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Canada’s Spirit Bears
Just as National Geographic's cover story on the Spirit Bear appeared on news stands, I was heading west to start exploring the Great Bear Rainforest. The highlight was three rainy days on Princess Royal Island with the Spirit Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), as well as the more common colour phase of the Black Bear (Ursus americanus). The gene for fur colour is either black or blonde (not albino). Only when the gene from both parents is blonde, will the cub have blonde fur. If the cub has 2 black fur genes, or 1 black and 1 blonde fur gene, it will always have black fur. As a result, only 1 in 4 black bears, on average, in the Great Bear Rainforest, will be a blonde colour. That is why the Spirit Bear is so rare.
Haida Gwaii
Formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands, this archipelago of islands, located 75 miles off the northern BC coast. has to be seen in order to be fully appreciated. The rich, colourful history, culture and artistry of the Haida First Nation, are almost equaled by the colourful beauty and diversity of the temperate rainforest and marine ecosystem wildlife.
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Reserve
This pristine coastal estuary and the Khutzeymateen River watershed, are located just a short flight north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The name Khutzeymateen comes from the Tsimshian First Nation's language, meaning 'place of the salmon and bears'. The Reserve is home to approximately 50 grizzlies, some weighing up to 400 kgms. I was lucky enough to spend 4 days in May 2009 discovering many interesting habits of these large powerful animals. Having just come out of hibernation, and being true omnivores, the bears spent hours every day eating mostly sedge grasses! Until salmon runs later in the year, the bears' diet is 75% sedge grass (25% protein content), with intertidal life (clams & crabs) making up the other 25%. The large hump between the shoulders is not a fat reserve. The hump is actually large powerful shoulder muscles that are needed to dig into the mud at low tide or flip over 30 kgm rocks, looking for more to eat..
Yukon Territories
During the Canadian Labour Day holiday in 2017, I traveled to the Yukon Territories for the first time. While the wildlife was rather scarce, the landscapes were amazing, with fall colours on full display. The stunning aerial mountain vistas over Kluane NP, were the icing on the photography cake (see separate gallery).
Kluane National Park Reserve
Just after Labour Day 2017, I was able to take a 90 minute flight over Kluane NP. I flew on a Cessna 210 with Kluane Glacier Ice Tours, based in Haines Junction, YK. Conditions were 10/10 for both flying and photography. We saw Canada's highest mountain peaks, including Mt Logan. We also saw the largest, non polar glaciers, anywhere in the world.!
Birds of Ontario
Over the last few years, I have taken up more of an interest in birds, as the main focus of an intimate wildlife image, rather than a small integral part of a larger nature scene. Most of these birds I was able to capture along the Toronto area waterfront. Enjoy!
Phillip Edward Island - The 'other PEI'
This is a large Canadian Shield island about a 4 hr drive north of Toronto, near the village of Killarney, Ontario. It physically separates and protects Killarney Provincial Park from 'the big water' of Georgian Bay, sometimes called the 6th Great Lake. The local weather and waves for the average kayaker or canoeist can be challenging. But the sunrises and sunsets from innumerable camping spots were well worth the paddle!
Toronto
Over the course of my adult life, I have lived in Toronto for almost 15 years. Some pictures in this gallery are very 'iconic'. Others simply bring back great memories - from the Beaches in the east to Mississauga in the west, as well as the amazing Toronto Islands, and the waterfront.
Hot Air Balloon Festivals
Images included are from the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon festival in Gatineau, Quebec, as well as the Page Arizona Balloon Regatta. The first is held over the Labour Day long weekend in Canada, and the second is held during Halloween, ear the Hoover Dam in Arizona.
