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.

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.

Interview on Shaw TV Spotlight

I was recently invited by Shaw TV for their program Spotlight to talk about my work as a nature and wildlife photographer. I also spoke about my keen interest for the Vancouver Island marmot, an endangered species which is endemic to the Island, and my time spent photographing them in the alpine meadows somewhere on Vancouver Island. That work in the field resulted in a photo book to raise awareness about the marmot’s plight and the recovery efforts undertaken to save it from extinction.

I invite you to watch the interview.

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.