A male and female western bluebird pair check out a likely prospect in the ponderosa pine forest at UBC’s Okanagan campus, as seen in the Birds of the UBC Okanagan Campus 2015. Photo credit: Ian Walker
Fundraising photo project covers campus, now on sale
A colourful collection of photos showing the diversity of UBC Okanagan’s campus wildlife is back by popular demand—and now on sale.
The limited-edition Birds of the UBC Okanagan Campus 2015 wall calendar was created by a trio of camera-wielding biology professors in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. Sales proceeds go toward undergraduate education.
The calendar is a labour of love, says contributor Assoc. Prof. Bob Lalonde.
“We’re thrilled to be able to combine birding and photography into a fundraising activity that benefits our students,” says Lalonde, adding that it has been so popular, the wildlife calendar may very well become an annual tradition.
Following the success of last year’s Birds of the UBC Okanagan Pond calendar, Assoc. Profs. Lalonde, Blythe Nilson, and Ian Walker took a wide-angle view.
The new calendar is now only $15 while the photographers’ coverage is significantly greater: Birds of the UBC Okanagan Campus 2015 Calendar shows a vast array of the winged ones seen across campus—all 516 acres (209 hectares) of it. That includes photos of a bald eagle, mourning dove, and woodpecker; a bluebird couple in the ponderosa pine forest; and a hallmark species at Robert Lake, American avocets.
Sales of last year’s calendar raised $2,500. To boost sales this year, the price was lowered from $20 to $15. Sales proceeds go towards undergraduate education, offsetting costs for such things as lab supplies and printing for students involved in research projects.
Birds of the UBC Okanagan Campus 2015 Calendar is available for purchase at the UBC Okanagan Bookstore (Administration Building) and Mosaic Books, 411 Bernard Ave., Kelowna.
The photographers
If you want to capture a rare sighting of sandhill cranes at Robert Lake, you need patience, timing, and the right gear. Here’s the go-to photo equipment used by UBC Assoc. Biology Profs. Bob Lalonde, Blythe Nilson, and Ian Walker when they go birding:
- Bob Lalonde: Uses a Canon EOS digital rebel, Canon 400mm f5.6 L series lens, and monopod. This setup sets a good compromise between quality and portability, he says. “The L series lenses are all excellent, and the 400mm is one of the most affordable. Digital rebel cameras are not full-frame, but the sensor is excellent and the smaller size provides an added ‘crop factor’ that turns a 400mm lens into a 560mm lens. There are more expensive and sharper alternatives, but none of them are as light and handy!”
- Ian Walker: Principally uses a Nikon D5000 camera body equipped with a Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 lens. The lens incorporates auto-focus and vibration reduction, and is much less expensive than any comparable Nikon lenses, he says. “This kit provides somewhat greater magnification, but it is distinctly heavier and bulkier than Lalonde’s setup. Few people will have my tolerance for lugging this lens all day in the field.”
- Blythe Nilson: Uses a Canon Rebel T1i with a Canon 100-400 L series lens. “I need to upgrade,” she says.
A yellow rumped warbler forages in the campus oaks, as seen in the Birds of the UBC Okanagan Campus 2015. Photo credit: Bob Lalonde
Bohemian waxwings need to eat snow to wash down their sugar-rich diet of berries, as seen in the Birds of the UBC Okanagan Campus 2015. Photo credit: Bob Lalonde
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