by Marie-France and Denis Rivard, Canadian Nature Photographers
by Marie-France and Denis Rivard, Canadian Nature Photographers
NatureAndWildlifePhotography.ca serves as a digital portal into the beauty of the natural world, documenting the intersection of avian biodiversity and global travel. What began in the 1960s with handwritten checklists and local observation clubs has evolved into a sophisticated multimedia record of more than 2,000 species across five continents.
The Scope of Our Coverage
Our work is centered on capturing wild animals in their natural environments, with a primary focus on the extraordinary diversity of birds. The scope of the website's content is defined by:
Global Reach: We have documented wildlife in 20 countries, ranging from the high-altitude Andes of Colombia to the unique endemic habitats of Madagascar. Recurring field reports cover key migratory hotspots like Point Pelee and Magee Marsh, as well as international destinations including Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Saskatchewan.
Taxonomic Depth: The website illustrates a complete taxonomic journey, featuring representatives from all 41 Orders and 174 Families of birds. This includes everything from the ancient Common Ostrich of the Serengeti to the specialized Hummingbirds of Central America.
Lifelong Perspective: The site bridges the gap between the film-and-slide era of the 1960s and 70s and today’s digital age. It captures the transition from local Audubon group observations in Seattle to a "live" digital life list of 2,035 species.
What You Will Find
Field Reports: Detailed accounts of our expeditions, including species lists and the stories behind the sightings.
Articles: Deep dives into specific avian groups, such as the colorful Warblers of the spring migration or the unique wildlife of the Canadian prairies.
Galleries: High-quality photography that aims to share the "beauty of nature in its various forms" with a global audience.
As we move toward our next birdwatching expeditions, the website continues to grow as a living archive—sharing the travel experiences, technical challenges, and profound moments of discovery that define a life spent in search of the world's most remarkable species.
Discovering Madagascar Endemics
This search for the endemics of Madagascar brought us first from Antananarivo to Andasibe and then from Antananarivo to Tuléar. During our stay in Madagascar, we visited Laroka Forest, the Ranomafana National Park, Zombitse-Vohibasia-Ifaty National Park, Parc de Tsarasaotra (Lac Alarobia), as well as other parks and protected areas around Tuléar. A boat tour in Augustine Bay to see the red-tailed tropicbird and the greater flamingo completed our journey.
November 2024
Spring Migration at Maumee Bay and Pelee
Visiting Lake Erie for bird watching has become a recurring event for us. We returned to Maumee Bay and Point Pelee in April-Mai 2024 for the spring migrations.
April-May 2024
Our 2023 visit to Costa Rica brought us to San Gérardo de Dota, Tarcolès, Playa Ocotal, Monteverde and Arenal. While the primary purpose of the trip was sightseeing, birdwatching at local lodges and natural parks or reserves was a daily activity for our small group of 4. We were blessed by clear weather for most of the trip, except for the last three days at the Arenal Observatory Lodge where rain was prevalent. However, even there, we were able to use the extensive system of trails to explore the area in search for new birds.
December 2023
New children's book (in French)
Inspired by our grandson, our new book to introduce children to birdwatching is out. The book is available online both as an eBook and as printed versions (soft or hard cover). See our product page for details.
April 2019
More from us on the Web...
A number of our photos appear in BirdsEye applications. These applications are used by birdwatchers to find hotspots in the field or as a quick reference for identification. Select a portfolio below to see it on BirdsEye.
Denis' portfolio Marie-France's portfolio