2021 BC Nature Photo Contest
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Whether you like to hike, bird watch, master your photography skills on all things nature, we encourage you to share. View 2021 Photo Contest winners.
Bighorn Sheep
March 2018, South Okanagan
Jodi Forster, South Okanagan Naturalists
Western Toad
Val George, Victoria Naturalists
Final Approach
Bald Eagle, Boundary Bay Regional Park
Jim Kneesch, Delta Naturalists Society
If You Go Out in the Woods Today…
… you might meet this guardian of the trail. He reclines and lurks along the Chris Hadfield Trail on Salt Spring Island.
Margriet Ruurs, Salt Spring Island
Artist at Work
Taken from inside, through the window, when I noticed this fall spider busy at work spinning an incredible web.
Margriet Ruurs, Salt Spring Island
Not So Common Sapsucker
Just a daily visit by one of nature’s most gorgeous creatures. Do we take birds for granted?
Margriet Ruurs, Salt Spring Island
Pileated Woodpecker
Fall by Fraser River
Virginia Hayes, Nature Vancouver
Phantom Orchid (Cephalanthera austinae)
Val George, Victoria Naturalists
Stump Lake
This little island in the middle of Stump lake in Alice Lake Provincial Park has no name. It lends itself to spectacular photos throughout the year.
Stéphane Perron, Squamish Environmental Society
Slough Reflection
Captured while walking by the Judd slough in Squamish. The sunset pink in the clouds created a perfect complement to the calm waters and flowing reeds of the slough.
Stéphane Perron, Squamish Environmental Society
View from Above
Part of the Panorama trail at the Summit of the Sea To Sky Gondola in Squamish. The area below is the Squamish estuary at the end of Howe Sound.
Stéphane Perron, Squamish Environmental Society
American Dipper
This American Dipper, at edge of Harrison Lake, is serenading me on my late afternoon walk January 1, 2021. It is perched on a culvert that let’s a rushing creek from the hillside through the dyke near the mouth of the Miami River.
Janne Perrin, Nature Chilliwack
C Hunt
Short Eared Owl, Brunswick Point
JIm Kneesch, Delta Naturalists Society
Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe
Winter, Terra Lands, Richmond, BC
Virginia Hayes, Nature Vancouver
Captivating Eyes
Goat’s Peak Regional Park in West Kelowna on a beautiful November day, 2020. We heard a “woof” while hiking, paused and saw her watching us. At first we thought it was a wolf and gave a wide berth, but then realized she was a very healthy (and intense) coyote. Such captivating eyes!
Susan Enefer, Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)
Val George, Victoria Naturalists
Immature Male Hooded Merganser Enjoying a Brief Sun Break in the Winter
February 2021 Kitimat
Elk/Beaver Lake, Saanich, BC
Val George, Victoria Naturalists
Western Bluebirds
…and one photobombing Male House Finch, October, 2020 Penticton
Jodi Forster, South Okanagan Naturalists
Western Meadowlark
April 5, 2020 at White Lake in the South Okanagan. April 5th is my birthday and I wanted to see a Meadowlark. It was a real gift to have one land, a few feet away, right in front of me and I had my camera ready!
Jodi Forster, South Okanagan Naturalists
Female Ring-necked Pheasant
August 2020, Penticton
Jodi Forster, South Okanagan Naturalists
Chickadee Prepares for Takeoff
Fall at Fraser River Foreshore Park, Burnaby, BC
Virginia Hayes, Nature Vancouver
Swan in the Spotlight
A Lonely Mute Swan Swimming, February 2021 Port Coquitlam. The Photo is Natural. No Major Edits Have Been Done on It
What Are You Looking at?
Elk Enjoying Some Winter Grass
Fort Nelson BC
Coyote Jump
Coyote Hunting out of Kamloops
Immature Male Hooded Merganser Enjoying a Brief Sun Break in the Winter
February 2021 Kitimat
Reaching Towards You
A Vase of Flowers Sitting on a Table of Our Cabin Deck Was Attractive to More than Us
Bad Hair Day – Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow Boundary Bay Park in Fall
Eye Eye
American Bullfrog in Pond in Watershed Park Reserve, Surrey in Spring
Young Fly Amanita
Fly Amanita, Tsawwassen Fall 2020
Final Approach
Bald Eagle, Boundary Bay Regional Park
Proud Coyote
Coyote Posing in My Back Yard in June 2015. With New Mall, We Are Seeing Less Coyote Activity
Spring Song
Photo Description
Happy Wren Singing His Spring Song at Brunswick Point
Retrieving a Young Barn Owl for Banding
The Cascade Bird Box Team, A Group Associated With The Delta Naturalists, Works With A Local Wildlife Biologist To Build And Deploy Barn Owl Nest Boxes Throughout The Lower Mainland. These Boxes Provide Valuable Nesting Habitat For This Threatened Species In Locations Such As Golf Courses, Municipal Parks, Abandoned Barns, And Working Farms. When The Young Owls Are About To Fledge, Many Of The Owls Are Banded For Research Purposes. A “Camera On A Pole” Allows Inspection Inside The Boxes With Minimum Disruption, And Doing This Work Near Dusk Or At Night Minimizes The Owls’ Exposure To Their Natural Predators.
Late Night Photography in Barn Owl Box,
The Cascade Bird Box Team, A Group Associated With The Delta Naturalists, Works With A Local Wildlife Biologist To Build And Deploy Barn Owl Nest Boxes Throughout The Lower Mainland. These Boxes Provide Valuable Nesting Habitat For This Threatened Species In Locations Such As Golf Courses, Municipal Parks, Abandoned Barns, And Working Farms. When The Young Owls Are About To Fledge, Many Of The Owls Are Banded For Research Purposes. A “Camera On A Pole” Allows Inspection Inside The Boxes With Minimum Disruption, And Doing This Work Near Dusk Or At Night Minimizes The Owls’ Exposure To Their Natural Predators.
Banding A Young Barn Owl
The Cascade Bird Box Team, A Group Associated With The Delta Naturalists, Works With A Local Wildlife Biologist To Build And Deploy Barn Owl Nest Boxes Throughout The Lower Mainland. These Boxes Provide Valuable Nesting Habitat For This Threatened Species In Locations Such As Golf Courses, Municipal Parks, Abandoned Barns, And Working Farms. When The Young Owls Are About To Fledge, Many Of The Owls Are Banded For Research Purposes. A “Camera On A Pole” Allows Inspection Inside The Boxes With Minimum Disruption, And Doing This Work Near Dusk Or At Night Minimizes The Owls’ Exposure To Their Natural Predators.
Views Galore
Garibaldi Park, Squamish.
Summer Hike up Panorama Ridge
Views Galore
Garibaldi Park, Squamish.
Summer Hike up Panorama Ridge
Views Galore
Garibaldi Park, Squamish.
Summer Hike up Panorama Ridge
Owls in the North Okanagan
Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl in Our Back-Yard and Short-Eared Owl at Swan Lake Nature Reserve in Vernon. B.C.
Owls in the North Okanagan
Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl in Our Back-Yard and Short-Eared Owl at Swan Lake Nature Reserve in Vernon. B.C.
Owls in the North Okanagan
Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl in Our Back-Yard and Short-Eared Owl at Swan Lake Nature Reserve in Vernon. B.C.
Best Way to View an Owl, Use a Scope
Fall, Metchosin, BC
Standing Talking with a Friend, this Barred Owl Flew in and Landed on the Scope.
Family of Five
Fly Agaric Mushrooms during Fall in Garry Point Park, Steveston, Richmond, BC.
Taking a dip
Grizzly in Ts’ylos Provincial Park, Chilcotin
Black Oystercatchers
Taken Early January 2021 along Stanley Park Seawall Vancouver.
Rough-legged Hawk
South Okanagan, March 2018
Lookin’ at things from a different perspective…
A pileated woodpecker inspects a back deck bird feeder in Prince George (January 2021).
OK mom, which way now!
A family of river otters exploring a beaver pond in Halfmoon Bay takes a moment out of their travels to survey thee landscape – right in front of the sitting photographer.
Sundew
Sundew in Bog Ecosystem Along West Coast Trail June 2018
Russet Lake
Fissile Peak near Russet Lake Whistler
Well Fed Ursus Americanus
A well fed black bear in Squamish backcountry, walking up a tree that rests against a cliff. Oct 2018.
WCT Wildlife
Wildlife Along West Coast Trail (WCT) June 2018
Biodiversity BC
Anemone, norther alligator lizard, crazy spider on brown eyed susan. Sunshine Coast BC
I Spy with my Osprey Eye
Osprey perched on an old growth Douglas fir on the Sunshine Coast of BC after much aerial acrobatics
Quizzical Coral
finding interesting beach rocks…not sure what this is
Ooey Gooey
Gooseneck barnacles on the North Coast Trail. July 2020.
Ooey Gooey
Gooseneck barnacles on the North Coast Trail. July 2020.
Morning Snack
Beautiful black bear sighting on the North Coast Trail. July 2020.
Seaweed Collage
an amazing upheaval of various seaweeds on the North Coast Trail 2020.
Biodiversity BC
Anemone, norther alligator lizard, crazy spider on brown eyed susan. Sunshine Coast BC
Modge Podge
Geological Formations Sangster Island Georgia Straight Aug 2020
Cypress Mountain morning
Pictures taken Jan 2021 of a set of mystery paw prints in fresh snow and a stunning sunrise.
Cypress Mountain morning
Pictures taken Jan 2021 of a set of mystery paw prints in fresh snow and a stunning sunrise.
Yew are Unique
An Old Growth Yew Tree in Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Oct 2020.
Spot of Colour
Spot of Coloured Funghi in December 2020 on Sunshine Coast BC.
Golden orb
stunning sunset on Malaspina Strait
Herring spawn
Herring Spawn on Rock Kelp
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Dragonfly
Salt Spring Island 2020
Swallowtail Butterfly,
Salt Spring Island 2020
Coral Root
Coral Root, Salt Spring Island 2020
Deer,
Salt Spring Island 2020
Serpentine Fen Surrey, Lynn Valley Park, Hiking near Field BC
Serpentine Fen Surrey, Lynn Valley Park, Hiking near Field BC
Hiking near Field BC, Lynn Canyon Park Morning Light, Semiamoo Bay Obscured by Forest Fire Smoke
Hiking near Field BC, Lynn Canyon Park Morning Light, Semiamoo Bay Obscured by Forest Fire Smoke
Swamp hen
a surprise appearance of this fowl on the North Coast Trail July 2020.
Black Tusk Garibaldi
hike to Panorama Ridge Garibaldi Lake July 2019
Splash of colour
indian paintbrush on Mt Albert Edward, Strathcona Park Aug 2020
Hydnellum peckii
interesting Hydnellum peckii found on Sunshine Coast BC
Biodiversity BC
Anemone, norther alligator lizard, crazy spider on brown eyed susan. Sunshine Coast BC
Red-breasted Sapsucker
This was a summer photo of the bird in a rowan tree just after it tapped a bunch of holes
Hummingbird in Flight
It’s spring 2020 salt Spring Island
Blue on Green
A damselfly perched on a damp sedge
Goldfish Snack
Great blue heron enjoying an invasive goldfish in Burnaby Lake
Western Swordfern Spores
A close-up of the underside of a fern frond in the mountains of Burnaby, with the beautifully circular spores clearly visible
Spruce Droplets
I was walking through a nearby forest in Burnaby after a rainy autumn day and couldn’t help but notice the droplets hanging on for dear life at the edge of the spruce needles, I had to take a picture!
Tyee Lake
Frozen Tyee Lake, Telkwa, with Hudson Bay Mountain in the background.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Delta, BC In November
Tulip Field
April 2015
Snow Geese at Sunset
Reifel Bird Sanctuary
Bee on Lavender
Bumble Bee on Lavender in Delta
Gastronome Gastropod
We came upon this snail when hiking the Metlakatla Trail near Prince Rupert.
Happy Couple
The photo was taken in Delta area last summer. The birds comforted and enjoyed each other
Anna Feeding Chicks
Anna’s Hummingbird, Spring 2021
Anna Feeding Chicks
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna Feeding Chicks
Anna’s Hummingbird, Spring 2021
Two kinds
Spring hike off Swartz Bay
After a rain
Vancouver Island spring hike near Swartz Bay
Moss Map
Advantage of winter lack of foilage, other elements pop up. Shapes and patterns on tree trunks. The moss at Champlain Hts. arrested my attention
Gorgeous Wood Duck
A handsome wood duck in January on Lost Lagoon. Fascinated by this flamboyant duck as a little child of about 6 years old. Had just learned about McCoys. It did not move and I ended up staring at it for ages
A snow Cottonball
January 2021 snow walk along park Killarney neighbourhood
Snowy Squirrel
A snow-dusted eastern grey squirrel found toughing the cold in search of food!
Nature’s artful design
Interesting old stump on the trail to Hunter Basin near Telkwa.
Little Mushroom
Just barely spotted this little mushroom growing out of the side of a fallen log while out on a hike!
Light-scattered Oxalis
Light rays were penetrating the tree canopy and lighting up these oxalis plants in a very playful way.
Northern Hawk Owl
I see the Northern Hawk Owl at Orchard within Salmon Arm boundaries at December.
Performing in natural stage
The picture was taken in Garry Point Park, Richmond.
When a group of snow geese are performing at a stage which set a sky as background, a lady took a picture to record this moment, and I took a picture include all of them.
Sunset on a Sandhill Crane
This sandhill crane at Burnaby Lake was strolling through the water as the sun began to set, making for such a beautiful scene.
Blooming Berry
A bramble bloom I that I came across last autumn, stopping me dead in my tracks to appreciate the beauty!
Springtime Kestrel
March 12th 2021 near Capital News Center Kelowna
stealing a potato chip
On the Slocan Rail Trail. Human snacks are not always safe from sneaky “predators”.
A fledgling Birder
Cow Parsnip, summer solstice, Tofino (BC Botany Category)
Fernie Dandylions
How about at least a small cheer for Dandelions? Yes, most often considered a weed and a nuisance, but is there a surer sign of spring in BC than these gorgeous and prolific members of the Asteraceae Family and the Genus Taraxacum? Dandelions grow almost everywhere in BC, and the rest of the world for that matter, and are considered a medical herb that can act as an antioxidant, reduce cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels as well as a host of other medicinal properties. They can also make a sweet and potent wine — done it myself — as well as a relaxing tea for warm spring afternoons. Isn’t it about time this much maligned member of the Daisy Family was given its due such as these ones growing near the banks of the Elk River just south of Fernie?
Flow
Glaucus-winged Gull, Qualicum River Estuary, Vancouver Island
Bee-eautiful
Tofino, BC
A calm winter day
Skaha Lake, South Okanagan, on a still, crisp winter day.
A Fledgling Birder
1. A Fledgling Birder in action, Clayoquot Sound, BC (BC Naturalists in Action Category)
Watch out, coming in for landing! I was taking pictures of the Buffleheads and out of the corner of my eye I saw this little guy flying in in the splits. Terrace Beach, Ucluelet
A fledgling Birder
When the forest meets the sea (BC Weird and Wonderful Category)
Bee-eautiful
Watch out, coming in for landing! I was taking pictures of the Buffleheads and out of the corner of my eye I saw this little guy flying in in the splits. Terrace Beach, Ucluelet
Intertidal Haloween
Sidney, BC
Surf Scoter Stretch
A male Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) rises for a stretch in the golden morning light. These marine ducks overwinter on the southern British Columbia coast and it’s a always a treat to see them by the shore.
Lincoln’s Sparrow
June 18, 2020 in the back yard on Hoferkamp Road in Prince George. The sparrow was carrying food to its nest.
Lupins and beyond
Lupins and beyond on Taylor Meadows hike in Garibaldi Lake Provincial Park in Aug 2020.
Poetry in Motion
Nearing the end of March of 2020, I spent some time at the still frozen Cools Pond in Vernon. There were three pairs of Great Blue Herons performing their courtship rituals before going to the local heronry nearby. I watched their behaviour closely for a couple hours and was overjoyed to capture this image. Truly poetry in motion.
Golden Sanderling Shore
A Sanderling (Calidris alba) forages along a golden shore. These adorable shorebirds travel up and down sandy beaches, searching for invertebrates and other small prey.
Bumble Bee over an Aster
Bumble Bee over an Aster around Russet Lake
#Rock garden
Rock garden on Skywalk Trail, Whistler in Aug 2020
Two juvenile Great Horned Owls have a sweet interaction in the South Okanagan.
Dusk at Elk Lake
Gordon Bay Silhouette, Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island
Grand-fir-sky
Semiamoo Bay obscured by Forest Fire Smoke
