James MacKenzie
Vancouver, CA
Member since December 7, 2019
Most Viewed
Pacific Loon at sunset
For most Canadians, the Common Loon is a quintessential icon of endless lakes and summers, but for us Canadians on the West Coast, the smaller and more graceful Pacific Loon is a winter icon in its own right. As the sun set behind the Comox Glacier on the Eastern side of Vancouver Island, I lay down among the rocks on a beach and waited until a few of these elegant loons swam past me, my low angle helping create this unique effect with only the loon’s head showing between the soft waves
“Look at Me! I’m a (Douglas Fir)cone!”
All photographers can relate to having a frustrating day, where nothing seems to go their way. After a long day without any good photos, a once-promising photographic adventure turns into a frustrating and disappointing affair. I found myself in such a situation this December and had already unlocked my car to return home empty handed when I saw and got the chance to photograph this adorable Red Breasted Nuthatch hang off this cone with a carefree and positive attitude. I was instantly cheered up not only by his playful personality but also because I just snapped a contest-worthy photo.
New Vancouver Bus "Tap" Campaign with Pileated Woodpecker
In Vancouver's mighty Stanley Park, the coexistence of humans and wildlife exists in a balance. There is still plenty of space for birds like this Pileated Woodpecker, but roads, people and the ubiquitous Translink busses bisect the dense forests with increasing regularity as BC's largest city continues to grow. I managed to time this busy woodpecker’s lunch break with a passing bus, perhaps taking some humans to their own lunch break.
Clam Before the Storm
During the colder winter months, Black Oystercatchers will gather in groups along the rocky shores of British Columbia's rocky coast to loaf, feed, and keep safe from predators. While enjoying the Sunshine Coast last winter, I noticed the largest assembly of Black Oystercatchers I had ever seen relaxing only a few metres off the ocean-hugging highway. After parking my car and bundling up, I walked slowly down to the beach where I lay down in the rocks for a while observing and photographing these large and gregarious shorebirds. This individual found a clam and was doing its darnedest to give me a menacing look that says "this is my clam, you stay back!" - little did this Oystercatcher know I don't even like shellfish...