Sunday, February 20, 2011

Great Videos!

Hello!

So I was introduced recently to this wondrous thing called text-to-video.  Actually, I was introduced to two specific videos created using this technology.  If you're a birder, you're sure to get a kick out of them like I did.  If you're not a birder, they're probably still funny.  Here they are!

http://www.shorebirder.com/2010/11/gulling-at-landfill.html

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8226531/

Enjoy!
Kyle

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Cuba #3 and Website Updates

Hello again!

It has been a productive few days for me - a new look for the blog, some serious thinking about my New Years resolution (see below), and I've edited some more Cuba photos!  To follow my three shabby bird shots from the other day, here are three less-shabby bird shots of more common species:

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)















Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)





















Osprey (Pandeon haliaetus)















Also, I have begun work on a complete, browsable photo index for my website.  It's a long, slow process, but you can check it out here.

That's all for now!
Kyle

Saturday, February 12, 2011

New Years Resolution

Hello!

I don't usually make a New Years resolution - I don't generally see the point.  This year however, I have decided to make an exception.  It currently looks like I will be present in Ontario for at least most of the spring and summer, so I'm going to make a serious effort to do something I have long been wanting to do.

There are 48 species (or subspecies) of reptile and amphibian that are native to (and still exist in) Ontario (don't even try me with such fictional creatures as Eastern Box Turtle or Tiger Salamander).  I want to see them all.  Actually I've already seen most of them, save for a few of the most elusive.  Nonetheless, what I really want to do is to see all of these (sub)species within one calendar year.  Like "To See Every Bird on Earth", except nobody would read it.

To add a layer of difficulty to the task, I also want to possess a complete image library for all of these creatures.  Not only, then, will I have to see them all, but photograph them all as well.  Good photos.  No cell phone cameras allowed.

Now I'm well aware that this endeavour will probably fail.  To be honest, I'd be happy if I cleared the 40 mark.  However, this is the last time I will check in with reality during this pursuit.

Those of you with a sound basis in Ontario herpetofauna are likely already pondering the most difficult gets.  Here are the most challenging species as I see them:

1. Spotted Turtle, Wood Turtle, Queen Snake, Blue Racer, Four-toed Salamander and Small-mouthed Salamander - While perhaps not the very most difficult species the find in the right habitat, these rarities are only available if you know exactly where and when to look (or in many cases, who to look with).

2. Mudpuppy - How the hell do you find these in the active season?  Georgian Bay scuba diving, here I come.  Additional challenge - must be photographed underwater.

3. Northern Two-lined Salamander, Northern Dusky Salamander - Do these even exist in Ontario?  I believe not.  Science says otherwise.

4. Boreal Chorus Frog, Red-sided Garter Snake - Northwestern specialties - Kenora anyone?

An additional challenge will present itself with the Ambystoma salamander complex (just saw an awesome talk on this!).  These three species (Blue-spotted, Jefferson's and Small-mouthed) and their associated asexual non-species (confusing eh?) are essentially indistinguishable in the field.  This means that I will need to determine how I will deal with them (ie. how do I know if I've photographed all three?).  I will probably just try to photograph them in as many locations as possible.  The range for Jeffs and Smalls is fairly restricted, so I'd better make sure to hit those spots!

You can follow this noble mission by going to this page on my website.  The species list is up, but the action obviously can't begin until the herps start to emerge in early spring.  Garter Snakes, Peepers and Chorus Frogs should be first on the agenda.

Onward and upward...
Kyle

New Look!

Hello!

I decided it was time to try a new look for the blog, so here it is!  I'm not 100% sold yet, so it may see some changes in the near future.  Constructive feedback is more than welcome!

Cheers!
Kyle

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Cuba #2 - At Last

Hello!

I have been some time from the blog - it has been a busy January!  At long last, here are a few more photos from Cuba.  No award-winners here, that's for sure - but three "record" shots of cool Cuban endemics!

Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus)





















Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor)















Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju)















More to come (hopefully)!

Kyle