Comox Valley Naturalists Society

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Rare, Uncommon, and Interesting Birds of Vancouver Island

The regular Monthly Meeting of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society will be held October 21, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay. The featured speaker will be Mr. Mike Yip, local birder, photographer, and author, who will give a presentation "Rare, Uncommon, and Interesting Birds of Vancouver Island”. This very visually pleasing presentation also includes observations on habitat, bird adaptions, and some of the general philosophy and techniques from a birder / photographers perspective.

In 2001 Mike Yip retired from the hectic life of a teacher. He was ready to enjoy the leisurely days of golfing, travel, and relaxing. He had no idea how hectic life could be. In 2003 he discovered birds. His accidental discovery of Northern Shoveler Ducks changed his life forever. It was an awakening. He was fascinated by the uniqueness of the Shoveler's wide, shovel-like bill and its dabbling behaviour. He was also humbled to find out that it was a fairly common duck, but inspired to discover and photograph other birds in his neighbourhood.

By 2004 he was often busy chasing birds from dawn to dusk and on the computer till the wee hours of the morning processing digital photos. He also developed the website, http://vancouverislandbirds.com to share his enjoyment with others. By 2005 he had accumulated a reasonable collection of photos and decided to self-publish Vancouver Island Birds, Volume I. The book was a success and sold out in 16 months which was amazing as it was only marketed on Vancouver Island. He has since self-published Vancouver Island Birds, Volume II in 2007 which is also selling well, and will have copies available for author signing at the presentation. Mike Yip was born on Vancouver Island and has lived at Nanoose Bay since 1976.

Although he has no plans for another book, his love for birds and photography continues. Don't be surprised to find him at the Courtenay Airpark searching for the Green heron, or Oyster Bay looking for the Hudsonian Godwit, or Mt. Washington chasing the 3-Toed Woodpecker.

Click on a link below to view descriptions of previous guest speakers.