Northern Bobwhite, Colin de Virginie, Colinus virginianus

In the summer of 2023 as I was processing photos in my home office, I heard an unusual call coming from outside. I was curious to find out what it was so I grabbed my camera and went looking for that mysterious bird. Running under the cover of thick bushes was a family of Northern Bobwhites. The adult male and female were trying to keep control of their brood by calling them but the young bobwhites were more interested in exploring their environment than listening to the adults.

This summer, I heard them again. They must have survived the winter and I wondered where they were coming from. The Northern Bobwhite is a non-migratory species that are only known from Walpole Island First Nation in southwestern Ontario and in eastern US. Introduction attempts in British Columbia decades ago were unsuccessful. The species is listed as endangered in Canada.

My sightings of this rare bird made the front page of the Victoria Times Colonist. I also had the honour to talk on the radio program Panorama on Radio-Canada and Vista Radio.

Male Northern Bobwhite

Female Northern Bobwhite

Speaking event - Arrowsmith Naturalists

On April 25, 2024, at 7 pm, I’ll have the pleasure to talk about my experience photographing the Vancouver Island marmot for my book, with the members of the Arrowsmith Naturalists in Parksville, British Columbia. Details here.

The Arrowsmith Naturalists was founded in 1970 to know, enjoy, and preserve nature. We are affiliated with B.C. Nature and Nature Canada. Our members are a knowledgeable, committed, and welcoming group who enjoy monthly meetings, field trips, and stewardship activities.

Earth Day - Jour de la Terre

I had the honour to talk with Lyne Barnabé, Art reporter at Radio-Canada, for Earth Day. As you already know, I promote ethics in nature photography and her article details my approach in that regard. Whether we photograph nature and wildlife at home or abroad, it is important to respect wild animals and their habitat: keep a safe distance, use a telephoto lens, do not disturb their activities, never feed wildlife, do not call them or destroy their habitat to get a better photo. I encourage you to read Lyne Barnabé’s article (in French) and check the photos.

J’ai eu l’honneur de parler avec Lyne Barnabé, journaliste culturelle à Radio-Canada, pour le Jour de la Terre. Comme vous le savez déjà, je promeus l’éthique en photographie naturaliste et son article détaille bien mon approche. Que nous photographions la nature et la faune à la maison ou à l’étranger, il est important de respecter les animaux sauvages et leur habitat : garder une distance sécuritaire, utiliser un téléobjectif, ne pas déranger leurs activités, ne jamais les nourrir, ne pas les appeller our détruire leur habitat afin d’obtenir une meilleure photo. Je vous invite à lire l’article de Lyne Barnabé et regarder les photos.

Sustainable Photo Tours and Workshops on Vancouver Island

As the owner of a small business that offers photo tours and workshops on Vancouver Island, I am committed to supporting sustainable development:

• During the tours, we photograph wildlife from a respectful and safe distance. The well-being and safety of wildlife has always priority over the photographic aspirations of the participants.

• I educate participants about ethics in nature photography.

• I share my knowledge about local wildlife and conservation projects.

• I promote carpooling and limit the tours/workshops to five (5) persons.

• I support local and sustainable businesses (hotels and tours operators).

• I minimize waste by avoiding the use of non-recyclable containers for snacks and water.

These are only some of the activities that form part of my sustainable plan. Learn more.

Interview on CBC, North by Northwest

Sometimes we are lucky enough to be interviewed by a journalist we have admired for years. That's what happened to me when I was interviewed by Margaret Gallagher for North by Northwest, CBC Radio One in Vancouver. Despite being a little intimidated, I managed to speak more or less clearly about my Vancouver Island marmot photo book, which was released last December, and the conservation efforts to save the marmot from extinction.

I invite you to listen to the interview and order a signed copy of my book.

Parfois nous avons la chance d’être interviewé par une journaliste que nous admirons depuis des années. C’est ce qui m’est arrivé lorsque j’ai été interviewée par Margaret Gallagher pour l’émission North by Northwest, CBC Radio One à Vancouver. Malgré le fait que j’étais un peu intimidée, j’ai réussi à parler plus ou moins clairement de mon livre de photos sur la marmotte de l’île de Vancouver, paru en décembre dernier, et des efforts de conservation pour sauver la marmotte de l’extinction.

Je vous invite à écouter l’entrevue et commander une copie signée de mon livre.

Interviewed for Shaw TV Spotlight

Vancouver Island marmot pup touching nose with an adult coming out of the burrow.

I recently spoke with Gordon Darby, producer, Shaw TV Spotlight. We meet on a windy and cold day at a park in Courtenay to talk about my passion for wildlife photography, and particularly for the Vancouver Island marmot. You can watch the interview here.

J’ai récemment parlé avec Gordon Darby, producteur, Shaw TV Spotlight. Nous nous sommes rencontrés lors d’une journée venteuse et froide à un parc à Courtenay pour parler de ma passion pour la photographie animalière, et en particulier pour la marmotte de l’île de Vancouver. Vous pouvez voir l’entrevue en anglais ici.

New Photo Book: Vancouver Island Marmot, The World’s Rarest Marmot

On 21 December 2022, I will release my new photo book titled Vancouver Island Marmot, The World’s Rarest Marmot.

The Vancouver Island marmot is the most endangered mammal in Canada. Endemic to British Columbia, this marmot lives in the mountains on Vancouver Island.

In 2003, there were less than 30 marmots recorded in the wild. Thanks to the efforts of a team of dedicated experts, there are now 250 marmots roaming the mountains on the island. Through the captivating words of experts and stunning photographs, this book invites you to learn more about the Vancouver Island marmot, its plight, and the efforts that have been made to save this amazing species from extinction.

The book can only be ordered on this website.

Television Interview - Entrevue à la télévision

On 4 July, I had the pleasure of talking to Geneviève Murchison, host of the television program Connexion on Radio-Canada, about my passion for nature photography. What a great way to start the summer!

In case you missed it, you can watch it here. It’s in French and starts at the 17:00 mark.

Le 4 juillet, j’ai eu le plaisir de parler avec Geneviève Murchison, animatrice du programme de télévision Connexion sur Radio-Canada, de ma passion pour la photographie de nature. Quelle superbe façon de commencer l’été!

Si vous avez manqué l’émission, vous pouvez la revoir ici. Ça commence à la 17e minute.

Vancouver Island Wildlife, A Photo Journey - Book Release on 5 October

I am proud to announce the release of my book Vancouver Island Wildlife, A Photo Journey. I hope it offers a good perspective on a unique region, on the west coast of Canada.

Over the last year, I travelled by foot, snowshoes, floatplane and boat to photograph some of the charismatic wildlife that frequents or lives on Vancouver Island. For this project, my challenge was to take candid shots of elusive species, such as the Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti). I remember looking for them in Strathcona park in snowshoes, stepping over their tracks, and finally, months later, finding a herd of females caring for their young.

On Vancouver Island, many species are of special concern, threatened or endangered like the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis). Given the fact that there is only a few marmots in the wild, the same size as a domestic cat, and dark brown in colour, it is quite rare to spot them in the alpine regions. However, I was able to photograph marmots at Mount Washington.

My goal was also to photograph the fragile ecosystems where these animals live to raise awareness about our collective responsibility in the sustainable development of this amazing part of the world, as well as its preservation and restoration for future generations.

I hope that you will enjoy this journey in the heart of Vancouver Island wilderness.

Je suis fière de vous annoncer la parution de mon livre Vancouver Island Wildlife, A Photo Journey. Un livre qui, j’espère, ouvrira une fenêtre sur une région unique de la côte ouest du Canada.

Au cours de la dernière année, j’ai voyagé à pied, en raquettes, en hydravion et par bateau afin de photographier quelques uns des animaux charismatiques qui peuplent ou fréquentent l’Île de Vancouver. Pour ce livre, je m’étais lancé le défi de capturer des moments candides chez des espèces élusives, comme le wapiti de Roosevelt (Cervus elaphus roosevelti). Je me souviens l’avoir pisté en raquettes dans le parc Strathcona, avoir marché dans ses pas pour enfin, des mois plus tard, tomber sur une harde de femelles en train d’allaiter leurs petits.

Sur l’Île de Vancouver, bien des espèces sont en situation préoccupante, menacées ou bien en voie de disparition comme la marmotte de l’Île de Vancouver (Marmota vancouverensis). Son petit nombre fait qu’il est très rare de la rencontrer sans compter qu’il est difficile de la repérer dans le paysage alpin car elle est de la grosseur d’un chat et de couleur brun foncé. Cependant j’ai pu la photographier au Mont Washington.

J’ai souhaité aussi photographier les fragiles écosystèmes dans lequel vivent ses animaux afin de nous rappeler notre responsabilité collective dans le développement durable de cette incroyable région du monde, ainsi que sa préservation et restauration pour les futures générations.

J’espère que vous apprécierez ce voyage au coeur du monde sauvage de l’Île de Vancouver.