Monday, September 13, 2010

Wild Ontario!

Hello!

Big news today!  For those who don't know, I am currently working for an education program based at the University of Guelph.  Previously known both as the Wild Bird Clinic and WEEP (Wildlife Education and Environmental Programs), we finally have a new name and look.  You can check out the Wild Ontario program at its new website, which I half built (so proud).  Have a look!

www.ourwildontario.ca

Cheers!
Kyle

Sunday, September 5, 2010

What's going on?

Hello!

Two updates in the same week??  You must think you've fallen down a rabbit hole.  Most significantly, this means I've actually been outdoors twice this week!  Excellent.

Went birding today, and found some other cool stuff along the way.  Couldn't keep the macro lens off for long, but did manage to shoot at least one bird.  Everyone's favourite:

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)















I really was looking for birds when I came upon this lovely Viceroy, a species which has eluded my lens several times of late.

Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)















I swear I was also looking for birds when I stumbled upon this Question Mark.

Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)















Continuing on the now-established butterfly theme, I spotted these two Eastern Tailed Blues.  And yes, they are doing what you think they're doing...

Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas)

























A few more bugs, just to round things out.  This cool (presumably Ichneumonid) wasp:

Unknown Wasp (Ichneumonidae?)















And this awesome caterpillar.  If anyone knows what it is, let me know!  I thought he was a Yellow Bear at first, but now I'm not so sure...

Unknown Caterpillar















Though they may not be adequately represented in the photos, I did actually see some birds today.  About 4 hours in the Hamilton area produced 13 species of waterfowl, Short-billed Dowitcher, Solitary Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Carolina Wren and lots of other common stuff.  All-in-all a great day!

Cheers!
Kyle

Identification Correction

There seem to be a lot of these recently...I wonder why...

Anyway, the Hairstreak sp. that came up two posts ago - I'm going to go with Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas).  Any takers?  Hearing no objections, I shall consider it approved.

These are close kin to the Hairstreaks (same family) so I guess I don't feel that bad...

Kyle

Friday, September 3, 2010

More Butterflies!

Hello!

For reasons unimportant, I decided to celebrate today with a little photo jaunt.  It rained hard all morning and when it cleared in the afternoon, I was hopeful that the butterflies would be taking advantage of the improving weather.  They were, and I ended up with a few nice surprises.  It's a long one today folks, you might want to settle in.  Here goes:

Monarchs.  Always good.  One obligatory shot:

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)















While following the Monarchs around I was pleased to spot a Silver-spotted Skipper.  Doubly pleased because it's probably the only skipper I can positively identify in the field.  What's a skipper you ask?  Exactly.

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)















If you look closely at the above photo you may notice two little mites (small reddish dots on the body near the base of the right forewing).  Poor guy!  Though I've certainly seen insects carrying many more than two.  One more showing the silver spot that gives them their name:

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)















The next critter to wander into view was one of my favourite flower visitors.  Like a cross between a butterfly and a hummingbird, this little fellow is actually a species of hawk moth.  They never land, and I find them incredibly tricky to shoot!

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)















Those wings move a mile a minute!  1/200s doesn't even come close to nailing them down.

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)















Look at those clear wings, totally lacking the coloured scales that define most butterflies and moths.  I wonder if the scales would inhibit the hovering...

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)















Butterflies and moths are not the only pollinators about.  Let us not forget the humble Bumblebee.

Bumblebee (Bombus sp.)















Just as I was about to leave, one more little gift - a very cooperative Red Admiral.  I find this species usually very flighty and quick (maybe just my bad luck) but this individual hung around for a couple of shots.  Rather nice of him really.  He is quite fresh, and his colours are brilliant!

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)















Gotta love the crazy underwing patterns on those admirals!

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)















Well that's all for now.  All-in-all, a productive hour of shooting!

Cheers!
Kyle