Vancouver Island nature photographer and columnist Mike Yip will be the guest speaker at the April 15 meeting of the Comox Valley Horticultural Society.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. Non-members welcome for an admission of $5.
Backyard and Garden Birds is the focus for the evening presentation.
"In the spirit of sharing and promoting interest in birds, nature, and conservation, it is my pleasure to present Vancouver Island Bird," says Yip.
Mike's goal is to foster greater concern for nature and conservation and his remarkable photography does just that. He inspires us all to become more aware of the astonishing array of feathered friends of which we share the planet with.
Mike retired from teaching in 2001 and discovered birding and photography in 2003. Since then he has created his own online magazine showcasing his photographs and with his latest March edition totals 380 journals. Mike also writes a bimonthly newspaper column and lectures throughout the island.
He has self-published three books on Vancouver Island Birds and his latest, Denman and Hornby Nature published in 2010, was inspired after several excursions with local biologist and conservationist Jenny Balke.
His book highlights some of the sensitive ecosystems and uncommon flora and fauna on the islands and includes rare wild flower sections on Helliwell Provincial Park.
It was during this time Mike employed Macro photography along with his usual telephoto techniques and added photographs of butterflies and underwater creatures from local island photographers.
Mike's next book, due to be out in November, Vancouver Island Butterflies, is co-authored with Island expert entomologist James Miskelly. This book may not be available in stores and can be ordered by e-mail through his website.
Previous book sales have contributed to fundraisers for the Denman Conservancy Association, Conservancy Hornby Island and Comox Valley Naturalist Society.
For more information about the Comox Valley Horticultural Society or this guest lecture, please visit comoxvalleyhortsociety.ca or phone Leslie at 250-337-8051.
— Comox Valley Horticultural Society