Mike Yip’s upcoming book follows a year of eagle activity in Parksville Qualicum Beach.

The Nanoose Bay-based photographer says he used October as a starting point for A Year of Eagles, since that’s when the resident nesting eagles return from a brief migration up the coast.

“Bald eagles sort of got in my head,” Yip said. “I really got focused on it for the whole last year and I thought, ‘this could be something that people are interested in’.”

After 20 years of birding and photography, he’s learned a lot about eagles and how to capture them in a photo. Patience and knowing where to look are both important.

The Doehle beach access in Parksville and Buccaneer Beach in Bowser are two of the best spots for eagles, according to Yip.

When the tide goes out at Buccaneer, a channel forms in between the rocky beach and a sandbar. Eagles and herons will feast on the fish left stranded, providing great photo opportunities for anyone willing to venture out in their gumboots.

One time Yip noticed a heron that was trying to swallow a large perch.

“He’s trying his best to handle it, they manipulate it and then they try an flip it and swallow it,” he said. “Suddenly I felt this presence behind me, and I turned around, there’s an eagle sitting 10 feet behind me on a rock.”

The eagle had spotted the struggling heron and, “he knew damn well the heron wasn’t going to swallow the perch, so he was just sitting there, almost on my shoulder,” Yip said.

Eventually the heron gave up and the eagle flew in and claimed its prize.

Parksville Qualicum Beach is full of eagle nesting areas, Yip said, another good photo opportunity.

He mentioned a study last year that found 51 active nests between Nanoose Bay and Deep Bay, with approximately 100 chicks hatched that season.

“Each nest is sort of a study in itself, it’s sort of fascinating.”

Yip’s book gives readers a glimpse into the life of a Vancouver Island eagle, such as the arrival of the herring in February is another major food event and one that coincides with mating season.

“That’s part of the success of my books is because I tell the story,” he said. “I don’t just show the pictures, I always tell the story.”

READ MORE: Coastal Canine Hydrotherapy celebrates 10 years in Errington

Yip enjoys observing a good feeding frenzy, where a herring ball forms as larger fish feed on the herring from below, with seagulls and birds of prey attacking from above.

These event can last for half an hour or more.

A Year of Eagles also dives into with the history of human and bald eagle interactions, such as the effects of the pesticide DDT, habitat loss and rampant hunting that nearly extinguished their populations. The Alaskan government even had a program that established a $2 bounty for every pair of talons turned in until 1953, but not before more than 120,000 eagles were killed.

Threats remain to bald eagles, such as when a farm animal is euthanized with barbiturates, toxic to the birds who feed on the bodies. Although the Nanaimo landfill now has a protocol to bury these carcasses right away, cases of illegal dumping still result in eagles becoming sick and dying.’

“That’s something that probably happens a lot more than we think because we only know the ones that get on the news,” Yip said.

Lead poisoning is also an eagle killer, he said, via feeding on a duck that’s been shot, or simply through exposure eating ducks and swans exposed to lead shot in the water.

Yip became interested in birding and photography after he retired as a teacher in 2001.

After a frost delay meant he could not golf one day, he happened to notice a strange looking and unfamiliar duck, which ended up being a shoveler duck. He bought a camera, and although his first round of photos did not turn out well, Yip was hooked.

“From that moment on I was just fascinated with birds,” he said. “You get good pictures and people think you’re really good, but it was because I had the best equipment, but then, I had to be out there as well.”

Yip anticipates the book, which will be hardcover and in full colour, will be ready for April 12.

It will retail for $39.95, but direct sales will be $30.

He is offering a 25 per cent discount for pre-orders. The best way to get in contact with Yip is at admin@vancouverislandbirds.com

Photographer Lawrence Smith of Harrisburg, Pa., stands in front of his photos  (6 in all) called “Black Elegance Series” at Studio 404 in Hornerstown section of Johnstown, Friday, February 23, 2024. The Photographers work will be showcased at the Black Essence Photography Exhibit.

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Travel can be daunting, especially in a world still reeling from the impact of COVID-19. However, whether it be a road trip or a once-in-a-lifetime excursion, travel can also be a chance to learn about yourself.

Minnesota travel photographer Autumn Carolynn’s new book “Traveling in Wonder: A Travel Photographer’s Tales of Wanderlust,” explores that theme of discovery and offers insights and tips for travel.

Carolynn, a former flight attendant and travel agent, spoke with MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi about a book that’s part memoir, part travel log.

Carolynn will also be hosting two book events this weekend, one on Feb. 24 at the Northrup King Building in studio 332 from 1-3 p.m. and another on the 25th at the American Swedish Institute from 2-4 p.m.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.  

Tell me what inspired you to publish this book

Carolynn: When COVID hit, and it was 2020, I had a period where there wasn’t a whole lot going on. And so, I had all of my travel journals and all of these pictures that were just sitting in my closet, and no one had ever seen them before. And I just decided to go through and write everything that I had in my travel journal in a Microsoft Word document, and then go through all of the different pictures that I had on my MicroSD cards.

And it became this idea of, you know, maybe someone would be interested in this, but I’m not quite sure. And then it just kind of flourished and took off … it’s four years later, and I’m just so excited. 

The book is broken into four major parts. It walks us through your journey in traveling, first as a student studying abroad and then as a flight attendant, then as a travel agent, and now as a travel photographer. Where did that love for travel first start? 

I started when I was really young, the first time that I ever flew on an airplane, I was six weeks old. And I flew down to Florida to visit my grandmother.

So, growing up, I was always on flights to go and visit grandma. And then my mom had this idea that for every spring break, she really wanted us to go to a different state or a different monument. So we went to Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon and things like that. And it was all road trips.

And then when I got to be older, I just remember being like a little kid and being in that plane, and sitting in my seat and getting those little airplane wings and just looking up at the flight attendants. And wishing to myself that I would be one day, and then it actually happened. 

What are some tips you’ve learned over the decade this book takes place? What are some tips you would impart to people as they begin their travel journey? 

My number one tip that I would say is for everyone to just start slowly.

For example, I have anxiety. And one of the things that, you know, when I get out of a rut from traveling a lot, sometimes it’s like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna go to the next town, and I’m gonna go to a new grocery store, or I’m going to explore something completely different from my regular day to day life.’

And then I build up that courage and that self-confidence of ‘Oh, yeah, I can do this.’ I can travel and then just those little baby steps, doing something small each day that’s new and different.

And then challenging yourself. So that way, when you do book that trip abroad for the first time, and you’re either flying solo or meeting up with people there, you have that confidence in you to say, ‘oh, yeah, I can do this. This is easy.’

‘Traveling in Wonder’ is not just a travel journal. There are also reflections on how travel has helped you deal with trauma and anxiety and things in your past. I’m curious: What are some ways travel has helped? 

The number one thing would be that I often used travel as a crutch for me to escape reality. Because when I was traveling in different places, I wasn’t thinking about all the stuff that was making me nervous.

I was thinking about, ‘Oh, where am I going to go for lunch next, and I need to meet up with these friends that I just met at the hostel later on today and have to remember to go and meet up with them later.’ I’m much more in the moment when I’m traveling.

However, I learned my lesson. When I got home from traveling, I would kind of almost go into this deep depression because I would really just miss being constantly traveling — because I had to sit with my feelings and I had to sit with what anxiety is when you’re not constantly on the go.

And I feel like now I’ve learned a lot of skills and different ways to cope with that anxiety. So that way, when I come home from traveling, I’m not so depressed.

And also when I am traveling, I’m not so much on the go that I can take my time and that I can learn to be nervous in those different places — and I can learn to just sit with my feelings and I don’t have to constantly be changing my minds and folk refocusing what I’m looking at. So that way I’m more focused on what’s in the moment. 

In the world of landscape and nature photography, capturing the perfect shot often requires venturing into harsh and unforgiving environments. Whether it’s trying to stay warm in the biting cold or attempting to stay dry in frozen rain, photographers need gear that not only shields them from the elements but also enhances their ability to focus on their craft. Enter the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro.

Full disclosure: This article is brought to you by Haukland Photographer’s Clothing.

The Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is a revolutionary jacket system designed to be the ultimate companion for photographers braving the elements. Photographer Benjamin Jaworskyj has spent much of his decade-long photography career in harsh environments. After trying countless all-weather jackets on his adventures, Jaworskyj had always felt that they were missing features that would enhance a photographer’s ability to efficiently and comfortably capture epic landscape photos for their portfolio.

In 2018, he organized his photographer’s jacket wishlist that he had been accumulating, and founded Haukland Photographer’s Clothing out of his hometown in Germany. He partnered with respected clothing designers who could help bring his vision to life. The result was the original Haukland 7-in-1 Classic Photographers Jacket, which garnered wide praise throughout the landscape and nature photography industry.

Despite the positive reviews and popularity of the original jacket, Jaworskyj went back to the drawing board to add improvements to the design and upgrade the materials. The result was the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro.

Unparalleled Protection Against the Elements

Harsh weather can be unforgiving, with freezing temperatures, biting winds, and unpredictable precipitation posing significant challenges for photographers. Whether in winter, fall, spring, or even early summer mornings, landscape photographers often find themselves in challenging environments. The Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is engineered to provide unparalleled protection against the elements, ensuring that photographers can focus on capturing stunning images without worrying about the temperature, rain, or snow.

One of the standout features of the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is its advanced multi-layer insulation system, which combines a warm fleece jacket, a thick and well-constructed padded jacket, and a durable outer shell to provide exceptional warmth even in the coldest conditions.

The parka shell is made from high-quality sail sport membrane fabric, which gives it exceptional “medium to strong” rain protection, complete with taped seams that help prevent seepage. This design effectively repels moisture and blocks out wind, keeping photographers dry and protected even in the most inclement weather. This ensures that valuable camera lenses, batteries, and memory cards stored inside the jacket remain safe from water damage, allowing photographers to focus on their creative vision without worrying about the elements.

Whether shooting in sub-zero temperatures, chilling winds, or an intense storm, photographers can rely on the Parka Pro to keep them comfortably warm and dry throughout their outdoor adventures.

Versatility and Adaptability

Photographers often find themselves in situations where they need to adapt quickly to changing weather conditions or varying shooting environments. The Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro jacket set excels in versatility, offering a range of innovative features that cater to the diverse needs of photographers in any setting.

One of the key highlights of the Parka Pro is its modular design, which allows photographers to customize the jacket set combination according to their specific requirements. This begins with the base layer, a high-quality fleece jacket. This fleece layer has eight total pockets with five of those creating what Haukland calls the mini photo bag. This section of pockets made from mesh on the inside of the fleece is designed to carry memory cards, batteries, and lenses.

The second layer is a thick and warm puffy, or ‘padded’ jacket. The mini photo bag in this layer has a waterproof film to protect valuable photography equipment in the rain or snow.

The third layer is an incredibly durable wind and water-resistant outer shell made of treated outdoor fabric with a polyurethane waterproof membrane from sail sports fabric and taped seams for rugged weather. This layer contains 11 different-sized pockets including the five pockets in the mini photo bag. The two chest pockets are designed to carry lens caps while two large pockets can hold filters up to 100x150mm or the Haukland 3-in-1 photography gloves. An interior top left pocket can hold a phone, passport, or slim wallet.

This outer jacket can easily be connected to the padded jacket or the fleece using zippers, buttons, and eyelets. With all three of the layers active, the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro can keep photographers warm in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit or -25 degrees Celsius. This unique and easy-to-use layer system means photographers can easily adapt to fluctuating temperatures and activity levels without sacrificing comfort or mobility.

An All-Weather Jacket Set Optimized for Photography

While protection against the elements is paramount, the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro also incorporates features specifically tailored to the needs of photographers. These thoughtful design elements not only enhance comfort and functionality but also elevate the overall photography experience for photographers.

Each layer of Haukland’s jackets includes a set of photography-specific pockets on the inside left panel, known as the mini photo bag. These pockets are carefully sized to hold extra batteries, memory cards, and even small to medium-sized lenses. Being that the internal mini photo bag is inside each of the layers in the jacket set means that they are protected from the elements, especially within the outer layer jacket shell.

This dedicated camera and accessory access system allows photographers to quickly and easily retrieve their gear without having to remove the jacket. Strategically placed openings ensure that photographers can access their equipment with minimal hassle, enabling them to capture fleeting moments quickly.

Each layer also has a built-in, easy-to-access lens cloth pocket. In all his years of landscape photography, Jaworskj noted that his lens cloth was the one piece of gear that he was never sure of its location. He would often find himself spending valuable time searching through every pocket on himself and in his backpack looking for a lens cloth, causing the light and the clouds in front of him to move out of their ideal positions. With the easy-to-access lens cloth pocket, photographers should never miss a moment when needing to quickly clean their lenses of fingerprints or dust.

Every aspect of the parka is designed with photographers in mind, offering a range of adjustable features that cater to the unique needs of photographers in the field. A total of 29 pockets ensures photographers are never short on space to carry whatever gear they might need quick access to. With its intelligent design, the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is optimized to enhance shooting efficiency and minimize distractions.

Durability and Reliability

In the demanding world of landscape photography, gear reliability is vital to capturing dynamic photos. The Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is built to withstand the rigors of outdoor photography, with durable materials and reinforced construction ensuring long-lasting performance in even the harshest conditions.

Constructed from high-quality materials, the Parka Pro is designed to withstand abrasion, tears, and other wear and tear associated with outdoor use. This durability-focused construction not only enhances the longevity of the jacket but also instills confidence in photographers, knowing that their gear can withstand the challenges that they face in the field.

Moreover, the Parka Pro undergoes rigorous testing and quality control procedures to ensure that it meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. From stitching integrity to seam sealing, every aspect of the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is scrutinized to deliver uncompromising quality and durability that photographers can rely on in any situation.

Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro Signature Edition and Accessories

The Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro comes in two color variants. The Benjamin Jaworskyj Signature Edition is a sleek, all-black shell that is as stylish as it is functional. The Albert Dros Signature Edition has an attractive red shell that stands out extraordinarily well against landscape backgrounds. Both Signature editions come with a black padded jacket and a gray fleece jacket. The Signature Editions also come with three Haukland lens cloths, which can be placed in the dedicated lens cloth pockets on all three layers.

While Haukland’s first product was their original Haukland 7-in-1 Classic Photographers Jacket, they have since expanded their lineup to include other photography focused items. The Haukland 3-in-1 Photography Gloves consist of a softshell inner glove and a cozy warm outer glove. The outer glove can be opened at the fingertips through the welded YKK zipper to operate a camera or a phone. The gloves also contain a small zippered pocket on the top that can fit common hand warmers as well as SD cards and other small items.

The Haukland x EVOC Photo Backpack is an 18-liter camera backpack designed like the EVOC CP 18L, which was made for sports photographers.

For the Haukland edition, the side access was closed for increased theft protection and an additional large outer pocket was added. The interior of the backpack can accommodate one camera with a small telephoto lens as well as four other lenses. The arrangement can also be adjusted to each photographer’s needs by reconfiguring the velcro compartments.

The Ultimate All-Season, All-Weather Jacket for Photographers

The Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro stands out as the ultimate jacket set for photographers navigating the challenges of any weather situation. With its unparalleled protection against the elements, its exceptional versatility, its rugged durability, and its photography-specific features, the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro offers everything a photographer needs to stay comfortable, focused, and productive in any outdoor setting. Whether braving pouring rain on a mountaintop or chasing the perfect shot in the midst of a snowstorm, photographers can trust that the Haukland 7-in-1 Parka Pro is the only jacket they will ever need on their rugged outdoor photography adventures.

Full disclosure: This article was brought to you by Haukland Photographer’s Clothing.