Top 10 Wildlife Photos of 2018

I admit it. I have a split personality!

While I’m mostly known for my landscape photography, my true love is really wildlife photography. The problem is, there is not always wildlife around. I’ll take it when I can get it, and if not I do landscapes.

During the summer months when I am in British Columbia, not a day goes by when then are not wildlife opportunities. Eagles, herons and all sorts of other birds in the estuary behind our campsite, dolphins, orcas and humpback whales when I’m out on the boat, and bears in the rivers.

This year 8 of my 10 favourite wildlife photos were made in British Columbia.

Of course, I have some special spots down south too. But I am looking for recommendations in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. If you know of any great wildlife locations in those areas, I’d love to hear about it.

I hope you enjoy these images, and if you have a list of your own, please share it in the comments.

1. Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, British Columbia

Even though I see dolphins fairly regularly on my boat when I’m set up on Vancouver Island, I was pretty excited to see them when I was up in northern BC because the Khutzeymateen Inlet has such clear and calm water. On this day it was quite dark, creating a dramatic backdrop.

2. Grizzly Bear Swimming in Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, British Columbia

I captured a number of photos of grizzly bears swimming, but I especially love this one with the raindrops because it adds a sense of place to the image.

3. Grizzly Bear Cub in Khutzeymateen Provincial Park, British Columbia

When you’re just a little bear, a giant eagle is something to keep your eye on!

See more Grizzly Bear photos.

4. Snow Geese at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona

Last year we made our second visit to this fantastic birding destination in Arizona. I know everyone talks about Bosque del Apache, which I still haven’t been to, but the crowds of photographers there have kept me away. I’m going to try to make it over there this year to see it first hand though.

See more from Cibola.

5. Two Bald Eagles with Heart in Campbell River, British Columbia

Yes, this really did happen! I haven’t published the story on my blog yet, but I have a whole series of images leading up to this incredible moment. One I didn’t even know I had until I looked at the images later and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the heart.

See more eagle photos.

6. Juvenile Bald Eagle in Campbell River, British Columbia

While this is a pretty regular eagle shot, it is the light that makes this one a favourite. I love the rim light along the top of the wings and the golden backlight through the feathers. The juvenile bald eagles are so pretty!

See more eagle photos.

7. Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia

This was one of the most incredible days of my life. Another one I haven’t written about on the blog yet, a huge pod of dolphins seemed to think my boat was their play toy. It was truly awe inspiring and there was no one there but me. And this isn’t the best photo of the group, it’s just the only I’ve processed so far. I don’t know why, when I have a really good set of images, I always sit on them and let them simmer before I process them.

See more dolphin photos.

8 & 9. Black Bear in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

Last year I made a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest in the hopes of seeing and photographing the elusive Kermode or Spirit Bear. Well, I didn’t see any Spirit Bears, but I did get some nice Black Bear photos.

See more photos from the Great Bear Rainforest.

10. Pair of Roosevelt Elk at Elk Country, California

Elk Country is one of my favourite camping spots ever. If the herd of elk come by, the photo opportunities are second to none!

See more photos from Elk Country.

Bonus Image!

11. Sandhill Cranes and Red-Winged Black Birds at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge

I just couldn’t decide if this was a landscape image or a wildlife image! Maybe it has a split personality like me. Either way, it’s definitely a favourite.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my favourite wildlife photos from last year. In case you missed it, I also have a list of Top 10 Landscape Photos from 2018.

If you have compiled a collection of your own favourites from last year, feel free to leave a link to your post in the comments. I’d love to see them.