Winter in Western Canada
This gallery showcases highlights from a few week long stay in British Columbia and Saskatchewan during February. Winter in these two western provinces of Canada takes very different expressions and offers contrasting birdlife.
Along the Pacific coast of British Columbia, winter is shaped by moisture, mist, and the constant meeting of forest and ocean. Ancient conifer stands, moss-covered shorelines, and sheltered inlets provide refuge for an extraordinary diversity of birds. Bald Eagles patrol above tidal flats, sea ducks gather in protected bays, and songbirds move through cedar and fir in search of the remaining sources of food. Even in the coldest months, the coastal ecosystem remains alive with movement, sustained by the richness of the sea and the resilience of its inhabitants.
Far inland, Saskatchewan offered an entirely different experience—one defined by vast distances, relentless cold, and the singular pursuit of one of Northern Hemispheres most iconic birds: the Snowy Owl. The journey to the frozen prairie was undertaken exclusively to find and photograph these remarkable Arctic hunters in their wintering habitat. Against a landscape of endless snowfields and pale winter light, Snowy Owls with their white plumage blended almost seamlessly into the prairie itself.
The conditions were as unforgettable as the birds. Temperatures dropped to nearly -40°C. It was a harsh and demanding environment, but one perfectly suited to the species that endure it.
