PRIVATE GUIDING & PHOTOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION
Highlight Species & Experiences: SPRING
Below you’ll find a selection of recommended photography opportunities for the spring season in southwestern British Columbia.
Should you have any specific targets or an interest in subjects/environments not found here, please contact me to begin planning an outing tailored specifically to you.
Songbirds
Late March - Early July
Spring brings life back to our temperate rainforests in the form of bird song. Each year I look forward to the return of the many species of passerines that spend the winter in warmer, more southerly climes. This brings about a whole host of photographic possibilities.
The forests, grasslands, and marshes of southwestern British Columbia host dozens of species of songbirds each spring - too many to list here. In the slideshow and list below, you’ll find a selection of highlights. Arrival times differ between species, so if you have specific targets in mind, or have questions about additional species, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Temperate Rainforest Landscapes
Mid April - Late July
At the height of spring, the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest boast the greatest biomass on earth - surpassing even the Amazon. In certain special places, every surface is covered in mosses, lichens, ferns, and for most of the year, raindrops. The annual winter rains are what gives this area life and its unique character; defined by towering coniferous trees that shelter an impossibly lush understory and swollen creeks. Doing this environment justice in a photograph is no easy feat. Join me and I’ll take you to my favourite spots and share my tips on camera technique and composition, to help you come away with excellent results.
Birds of BC’s Southern Interior
Mid April - Late July
Crossing through the towering peaks that fringe the coast, towards the leeward side of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, transports you into an entirely different world; typified by open pine forests, grasslands, and even deserts. The rain shadow effect plays a pronounced role in the ecology of British Columbia’s Southern Interior. Particularly for birdwatchers, this provides an exciting opportunity to travel just 4 hours by car and be greeted by a vastly different selection of species. I’ve spent many months working in this region, and to me, no spring is complete without a lengthy stay in this uniquely beautiful part of the province.
Shorebird Migration
Mid April - Mid May
During their bi-annual journeys to and from their more northerly breeding grounds, numerous species of shorebirds utilize both the expansive mudflats of the Fraser River Delta, and the beaches of Vancouver Island’s west coast to rest and refuel. Excellent photo opportunities can be enjoyed at these locations, particularly during spring, when the birds are freshly moulted into their striking breeding plumage.
Successful shorebird photography tends to be more physically demanding their other types of guided wildlife photography opportunities I offer. Expect to be laying down in the sand, crawling through the muck, and just generally behaving like your subjects.