Birds in Vancouver(Short-eared Owl)-Vol.29 温哥华鸟类 (短耳鸮)

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is one of the most iconic raptors seen across the coastal wetlands of Delta, British Columbia, during the winter months. Distinguished by its mottled brown plumage, bright yellow eyes, and subtle ear tufts visible only when alert, this owl is both graceful and powerful. Unlike most owls, it is often active during daylight, particularly in the late afternoon and at dusk. Flying low over open fields and marshes, it hunts voles and small birds with buoyant, moth-like movements. Migrating south from northern breeding grounds each autumn, the Short-eared Owl has become a seasonal highlight for birdwatchers and photographers, embodying the quiet drama and natural beauty of the Delta’s winter landscape.

短耳鸮（Short-eared Owl，学名 Asio flammeus）是冬季出现在不列颠哥伦比亚三角洲（Delta）沿海湿地的标志性猛禽之一。它以浅褐色羽毛、暗纹斑点和明亮的黄色眼睛著称，外形优雅而警觉。尽管名为“短耳”，但那对小羽簇通常在警觉时才会显现。与多数猫头鹰不同，短耳鸮常在白昼活动，尤其在黄昏前后猎食。它们在开阔的芦苇地和草原上低空滑翔，捕捉田鼠与小鸟，飞行姿态轻盈而灵巧。每年秋冬，这些来自北方的候鸟迁徙至三角洲湿地越冬，吸引了众多观鸟者与摄影师前来记录这充满野性与优雅的身影。

 

Short-eared Owl 短耳鸮 | Canon R5 + EF 400 5.6L

Birds in Vancouver(Horned Grebe)-Vol.28 温哥华鸟类 (角䴙䴘)

The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) is a medium-sized diving bird often seen in calm coastal waters and estuaries of British Columbia during the winter months. Recognized by its red eyes, slender bill, and graceful diving movements, it displays a clean black-and-white plumage in the non-breeding season. During summer, however, it transforms dramatically, sporting striking golden “horn-like” feathers on its head. Skilled at diving for small fish and crustaceans, the Horned Grebe surfaces swiftly in a rhythmic pattern characteristic of the species.

角䴙䴘（Horned Grebe，学名 Podiceps auritus）是一种中型潜鸟，冬季常出现在不列颠哥伦比亚沿海的平静海湾与河口水域。它以红眼、尖喙和潜水觅食的优雅姿态著称。冬羽时体色以黑白为主，显得朴素而清晰；而在繁殖季节，头部会长出金黄“角状”羽饰，令人印象深刻。角䴙䴘擅长潜入水下捕捉小鱼和甲壳类，常以短促的潜行和快速浮出形成独特节奏。

 

Horned Grebe 角䴙䴘 | Canon R5 + EF 400 5.6L

 

A night on the Granville（Granville 大街夜景）

Recently, I just got a Canon RP with a very good price, and I plan to use it as my carry on/ street photograph camera. So, I just grab it and go to Granville Street which not far from my home. The street was the absolute center of Vancouver, but recent years, it has some problems such as homeless people. In general, walking on the street during late night by yourself is not really dangerous, but you may notice some “weird” persons there.

最近用很好的价格入手了一个佳能RP，打算用作随身街拍机。因此，拿上它去离我家不远的Granville 大街拍了点夜景。以前这里是绝对的市中心，但近些年来受到流浪汉等问题的困扰。总的来说，深夜走在街头也说不上危险，但确实能注意到身边有些“怪人”出没。

 

Granville 大街夜景| Canon RP + RF 35/50 1.8

Birds in Vancouver(Snow Goose in Iona Beach)-Vol.24 温哥华鸟类 (Iona Beach的雪雁)

The Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) is one of North America’s most iconic migratory birds. Each autumn, tens of thousands migrate south from their Arctic breeding grounds to overwinter in British Columbia’s Delta region and the Fraser River estuary. This time, I went to Iona Beach (near YVR) to take some close-in photos of them.

雪雁（Snow Goose，学名 Anser caerulescens）是北美最具代表性的候鸟之一，每年秋季成千上万只从北极繁殖地南迁至不列颠哥伦比亚省三角洲（Delta）及菲沙河口地区越冬。这次我去Iona Beach（YVR机场附近）拍到了一些它们的近照。

 

Snow Goose 雪雁 | Canon R5 + EF400 5.6L

Birds in Vancouver(Barrow’s Goldeneye Courtship Display)-Vol.26 温哥华鸟类(巴罗鹊鸭的求偶表演)

Along the coastal waters of Vancouver in winter, flocks of Barrow’s Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) can often be observed engaging in elaborate courtship displays. The males, distinguished by their striking black-and-white plumage, iridescent purplish head, and crescent-shaped white patch near the eye, perform synchronized rituals on the water—stretching their necks, splashing, and calling sharply to attract females. These rhythmic, competitive displays create one of the most captivating spectacles of winter birdlife along the North Pacific coast.

在温哥华沿海水域的冬季，可以见到成群的巴罗鹊鸭（Barrow’s Goldeneye，学名 Bucephala islandica）聚集求偶。雄鸟以黑白分明的羽色、紫蓝色光泽的头部和独特的白色新月斑而著称。求偶季时，它们常在海面上展开同步表演：昂首、甩颈、拍水、发出清脆的鸣叫，以展示活力和吸引雌鸟。群体间的互动充满节奏感与竞争性，是北太平洋沿岸冬季水鸟生态中最富观赏性的场景之一。

 

Barrow’s Goldeneye巴罗鹊鸭 | Canon R5 + EF 400 5.6L

Barrow’s Goldeneye Courtship Display

Canon EF 400mm F5.6L 佳能456

The Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM is a classic telephoto prime lens introduced in 1993, long regarded as a favorite among wildlife and aviation photographers. Recently, I purchased a used one and use it on my R5 with 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverter, IBIS on mirrorless body makes it perform even better.

佳能 EF 400mm f/5.6L USM 是一支经典的远摄定焦镜头，自1993年发布以来，受野生动物与航空摄影师喜爱。我最近购入了一只的镜头，搭配我的R5使用，同时也配了1.4x和2.0x两个增距镜，新无反自带防抖，让这个无防抖镜头实用性更高了。

Part of Canon’s professional L-series, it features a robust white metal body, weighing only about 1.25 kg, can easily hold and shoot by hand for a considerable while.

镜头有佳能红圈头的全金属结构与白色涂层，重1.25公斤，能手持拍摄很长一段时间。

It has excellent optical sharpness, good enough under F5.6, even better than most newer zoom telephoto lenses. It’s autofocus is driven by a ring-type USM motor, good enough but obviously slower than some modern L lenses (e.g. my RF 70-200 L), even for flying birds, it has acceptable success chance. One problem is that its closest focus distance is 3.5M, which means you cannot focus on little birds near you.

光圈全开F5.6锐度就很好，对比大部分近些年发售的超长变焦镜头都不虚。用旧的USM马达对焦，够用但和新的红圈如RF70-200比，明显要慢，拍飞鸟成功率也还可以接受。最大的问题是最近对焦距离3.5M，没法拍身边的小鸟。

There are a few sample images, mostly birds, and also some other topic.

有几张样片，打鸟为主，还有一些其他题材的。

One more thing, I think its image quality is still very well with a 1.4x teleconverter and acceptable with a 2.0x. With teleconverter, its F will be F8 under 1.4x and F11 under 2.0x, I experienced no autofocus issue with my R5 body during daytime.

最后测一下增距镜，1.4x下画质衰减很小，2.0x下也算可用, 1.4x和2.0x下光圈分别8和11，我在R5上用，白天没有遇到任何对焦问题。