Deborah Freeman
@debphoto-53.bsky.social
Hello. I am a wildlife/nature photographer who lives on Vancouver Island. I hope to share my images and observations of a place that I have loved since moving here many years ago. I hope by sharing we can work together to protect and cherish where we live.
Pinned
Yellow-fronted bumbles have been plentiful this year in our garden. A treasure for sure. #bee#garden#nature#insects
July 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Yellow-fronted bumbles have been plentiful this year in our garden. A treasure for sure. #bee#garden#nature#insects
This has been a super year for cherries. We have had our fill, the birds have had their fill, and this little one came several times to get his /her fill. The look on the racoons face was enough to make me forgive them for stealing our grapes in the fall. My husband makes wine from those grapes😀
July 13, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This has been a super year for cherries. We have had our fill, the birds have had their fill, and this little one came several times to get his /her fill. The look on the racoons face was enough to make me forgive them for stealing our grapes in the fall. My husband makes wine from those grapes😀
Hope if you are in the area you will pop in to the McMillan Gallery and see these amazing artists who have come together to Celebrate the Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere's 25th Anniversary. The "10 Amazing Places" as chosen by the Biosphere's residence are shown in many different forms of art.
July 13, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Hope if you are in the area you will pop in to the McMillan Gallery and see these amazing artists who have come together to Celebrate the Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere's 25th Anniversary. The "10 Amazing Places" as chosen by the Biosphere's residence are shown in many different forms of art.
This nest has been active for many years and this year is no exception. Access is limited but we took a chance and headed out inspite of winds being a bit strong. Confirmed there are two eaglets in the nest and the male was guarding. We didn't stay long- winds picking up #eagles#nest#nature#wildlife
July 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This nest has been active for many years and this year is no exception. Access is limited but we took a chance and headed out inspite of winds being a bit strong. Confirmed there are two eaglets in the nest and the male was guarding. We didn't stay long- winds picking up #eagles#nest#nature#wildlife
Me stating the obvious, bees are important and for some time I have been focusing on wild bees. These were taken in my area and the diversity of species and the plants they prefer has been an interesting journey to observe. 1st two yellow fronted BB - 3rd Cellophane bee- 4rth wool carder
#bee#flower
#bee#flower
June 25, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Me stating the obvious, bees are important and for some time I have been focusing on wild bees. These were taken in my area and the diversity of species and the plants they prefer has been an interesting journey to observe. 1st two yellow fronted BB - 3rd Cellophane bee- 4rth wool carder
#bee#flower
#bee#flower
Red-breasted sapsuckers are such a striking woodpecker. Today I saw the parents actively feeding their chicks in the nest. What I didn't know was that these birds also have fecal sacks. I only thought song birds did. Its a bad day you don't learn something😀 #birds#woodpeckers#feeding#fecalsac#nature
June 20, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Red-breasted sapsuckers are such a striking woodpecker. Today I saw the parents actively feeding their chicks in the nest. What I didn't know was that these birds also have fecal sacks. I only thought song birds did. Its a bad day you don't learn something😀 #birds#woodpeckers#feeding#fecalsac#nature
Canadian-based The Metals Company (@themetalsco.bsky.social) is pushing to mine the deep sea. Canada must double-down to #StopDeepSeaMining and oppose the Mining Code that would open oceans to irreversible damage. @greenpeaceca.bsky.social Add your name: act.gp/3ZXB5ll
Petition: Tell Canada to oppose the Mining Code and protect the deep sea from mining.
Sign the Greenpeace petition to tell Canada to oppose the Mining Code and protect the deep sea from mining.
act.gp
June 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Canadian-based The Metals Company (@themetalsco.bsky.social) is pushing to mine the deep sea. Canada must double-down to #StopDeepSeaMining and oppose the Mining Code that would open oceans to irreversible damage. @greenpeaceca.bsky.social Add your name: act.gp/3ZXB5ll
This Hermit Thrush visited our campsite every day for the 4 days we were there. Always around the same time. The funny thing was at night it was the Swainson's Thrush that would serenade us as the night descended upon us. We were just thrilled to have these two illusive birds close by. #birds#thrush
June 15, 2025 at 11:05 PM
This Hermit Thrush visited our campsite every day for the 4 days we were there. Always around the same time. The funny thing was at night it was the Swainson's Thrush that would serenade us as the night descended upon us. We were just thrilled to have these two illusive birds close by. #birds#thrush
The parents were gently feeding the newly hatched chick which was able to swim and tuck itself under the parents wing...such a little miracle! #loon#chick#lake#birds#nature#feeding#lake#BC#vancouverisland
June 13, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The parents were gently feeding the newly hatched chick which was able to swim and tuck itself under the parents wing...such a little miracle! #loon#chick#lake#birds#nature#feeding#lake#BC#vancouverisland
This loon chick is only a few hours old. I didn't think the chick would hatch before we left the lake, but the last evening I found the parents feeding the chick in a quieter part of the bay. The video is a bit choppy as it was windy , but it shows the parents with their chick #loon#chick#feeding
June 13, 2025 at 2:39 PM
This loon chick is only a few hours old. I didn't think the chick would hatch before we left the lake, but the last evening I found the parents feeding the chick in a quieter part of the bay. The video is a bit choppy as it was windy , but it shows the parents with their chick #loon#chick#feeding
One of the joys of summer is watching the Anna's in our garden. The hard part is getting through dinner without interruption when they come by to feed on the salvia. My camera is always beside. Always worth the effort.
#birds#hummingbirds#garden#feeding#birdsflying#nature#wildlife
#birds#hummingbirds#garden#feeding#birdsflying#nature#wildlife
June 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
One of the joys of summer is watching the Anna's in our garden. The hard part is getting through dinner without interruption when they come by to feed on the salvia. My camera is always beside. Always worth the effort.
#birds#hummingbirds#garden#feeding#birdsflying#nature#wildlife
#birds#hummingbirds#garden#feeding#birdsflying#nature#wildlife
The eaglets are growing quickly and have pretty good appetites. I have never seen two that are so well behaved. The younger one waited patiently while the older one was fed. The older one was well behaved watching the younger one being fed. The mother fed them both calmly and gently.
#eagles#eaglets
#eagles#eaglets
June 6, 2025 at 4:38 AM
The eaglets are growing quickly and have pretty good appetites. I have never seen two that are so well behaved. The younger one waited patiently while the older one was fed. The older one was well behaved watching the younger one being fed. The mother fed them both calmly and gently.
#eagles#eaglets
#eagles#eaglets
Just back from camping. The loons are active on the lake, with the protecting the nest mode. I find their feathers patterns are exquisite and I will post a video later of their iconic call. I am always hopeful that one day I will see their babies. #birds
#loons#lake#nesting
#loons#lake#nesting
May 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Just back from camping. The loons are active on the lake, with the protecting the nest mode. I find their feathers patterns are exquisite and I will post a video later of their iconic call. I am always hopeful that one day I will see their babies. #birds
#loons#lake#nesting
#loons#lake#nesting
We saw two Screech owls at the Central Walbran this week. We are trying to collect data on them to prevent logging of the "Old Growth Forest" in that area. With our wet spring we figure it is too late to get good numbers but will try later in summer #screechowls#oldgrowthforest#birds#owls
May 25, 2025 at 4:05 AM
We saw two Screech owls at the Central Walbran this week. We are trying to collect data on them to prevent logging of the "Old Growth Forest" in that area. With our wet spring we figure it is too late to get good numbers but will try later in summer #screechowls#oldgrowthforest#birds#owls
We are observing a blue heron colony in our area. They are vulnerable to development so we are keeping our eye on them They leave the nest area to fish in the marina. This heron flew close to where we were standing. Down the hatch, nothing too much but food is food #birds#nature@wildlife#herons#fish
May 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
We are observing a blue heron colony in our area. They are vulnerable to development so we are keeping our eye on them They leave the nest area to fish in the marina. This heron flew close to where we were standing. Down the hatch, nothing too much but food is food #birds#nature@wildlife#herons#fish
Here is the video of the Adrena Astragali lone bee pollinator of Death Camas. So happy to have found it again this year as it is a very tiny mining bee and locating it in a field can be tricky.
#bee#pollinator#Garryoakecosystem#plants
#bee#pollinator#Garryoakecosystem#plants
May 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Here is the video of the Adrena Astragali lone bee pollinator of Death Camas. So happy to have found it again this year as it is a very tiny mining bee and locating it in a field can be tricky.
#bee#pollinator#Garryoakecosystem#plants
#bee#pollinator#Garryoakecosystem#plants
Last night I went looking for the Adrena Astragali, the lone bee pollinator of Death Camus.( Garry Oak Eco System) Last year I found it at the beginning of May but everything is later this year. It was there!!!! and now I can share how beautiful it is. #bees#insects#plants#polliators#nature
May 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Last night I went looking for the Adrena Astragali, the lone bee pollinator of Death Camus.( Garry Oak Eco System) Last year I found it at the beginning of May but everything is later this year. It was there!!!! and now I can share how beautiful it is. #bees#insects#plants#polliators#nature
More eagle interaction. Some days are busier than others. This particular day the eagles were interacting as much with one another as they were with the midshipman fish. Made for fun acrobatics. The eagles were soaring and playing in the wind.
#birds#eagles#flight#midshipman#nature#wildlife
#birds#eagles#flight#midshipman#nature#wildlife
May 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM
More eagle interaction. Some days are busier than others. This particular day the eagles were interacting as much with one another as they were with the midshipman fish. Made for fun acrobatics. The eagles were soaring and playing in the wind.
#birds#eagles#flight#midshipman#nature#wildlife
#birds#eagles#flight#midshipman#nature#wildlife
Sometimes when the eagles fly in tandem they lock talons, it can be for mating or sometimes aggression. Not sure why these two did but it took place right above me. Many birds were feeding on Midshipman fish. This will usually last about 2 wks #Eagles#birdsinflight#midshipman#nature#wildlife#nature
May 10, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Sometimes when the eagles fly in tandem they lock talons, it can be for mating or sometimes aggression. Not sure why these two did but it took place right above me. Many birds were feeding on Midshipman fish. This will usually last about 2 wks #Eagles#birdsinflight#midshipman#nature#wildlife#nature
The Midshipman have arrived and the eagles are getting lots of fishing in. The eagle's often land on a rock nearby jump on them or cruise overhead spotting them then dive. The fish sing (vibrate) when searching for a mate. #nature#eagle#birdsofprey#fishing#birdsinflight#midshipman
May 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The Midshipman have arrived and the eagles are getting lots of fishing in. The eagle's often land on a rock nearby jump on them or cruise overhead spotting them then dive. The fish sing (vibrate) when searching for a mate. #nature#eagle#birdsofprey#fishing#birdsinflight#midshipman
The oyster catchers were in good numbers on the island. While Kayaking we were able to watch them fly in with their gregarious calls. #wildlife#birds#mitlenatchisland#Salishsea
April 27, 2025 at 4:47 AM
The oyster catchers were in good numbers on the island. While Kayaking we were able to watch them fly in with their gregarious calls. #wildlife#birds#mitlenatchisland#Salishsea
I was away on a most beautiful island in the Salish Sea. Once a year our team of 3 get to volunteer on this island and do data collection and remove invasive species etc. It is truly a wonderful experience. I will be posting some of the pictures over the next little while. #nature#salishsea#island
April 27, 2025 at 4:44 AM
I was away on a most beautiful island in the Salish Sea. Once a year our team of 3 get to volunteer on this island and do data collection and remove invasive species etc. It is truly a wonderful experience. I will be posting some of the pictures over the next little while. #nature#salishsea#island
There is always something to see at this park and today amongst other birds there was a beautiful Bewick's wren. What I loved about this encounter was believe it or not , his display of his back side😀 What a beautiful 'behind"...look at those feathers...Amammaazing. #birds#spring#nature#wildlife
April 10, 2025 at 4:35 AM
There is always something to see at this park and today amongst other birds there was a beautiful Bewick's wren. What I loved about this encounter was believe it or not , his display of his back side😀 What a beautiful 'behind"...look at those feathers...Amammaazing. #birds#spring#nature#wildlife
Yesterday I visited a place where I know the Sooty Grouse hang out. I heard it in the forest and because they are so well camouflaged I didn't think I would have much hope....but I was wrong. It flew to a tree right in front of me....eureka!!! A male periodically drumming. #bird#nature#wildlife
April 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Yesterday I visited a place where I know the Sooty Grouse hang out. I heard it in the forest and because they are so well camouflaged I didn't think I would have much hope....but I was wrong. It flew to a tree right in front of me....eureka!!! A male periodically drumming. #bird#nature#wildlife
This red-breasted nuthatch had two doors into the nest. Talk about busy, up and down, up and down. Such a wee little bird yet so strong and determined to make not one but two holes into the nest. The hole has been 4 days of constant work.. remarkable!!!! #birds#spring#nest#forest#wildlife#nature
April 6, 2025 at 11:48 PM
This red-breasted nuthatch had two doors into the nest. Talk about busy, up and down, up and down. Such a wee little bird yet so strong and determined to make not one but two holes into the nest. The hole has been 4 days of constant work.. remarkable!!!! #birds#spring#nest#forest#wildlife#nature