Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Merry Dominican Christmas

After spending a lovely week in the Dominican Republic with the family for Christmas, I'm back in the country. It was a great holiday, though there were definitely some limitations on the photography and birding (more to come on that later).  I did get some photos though, and they are coming!  For now, here's an early favourite:

Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)















Hopefully more soon!
Kyle

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

New Product and Trip Countdowns!

I’ve always enjoyed and appreciated honest reviews of photography products written by their users, and have used them as a shopping aid on several occasions.  With that in mind, I decided to write up a short, “first-look” style review of a recent acquisition: the Lowepro Primus AW Backpack.  I thought this product would be of particular interest, as it addresses a problem in the photography backpack market for which I have long sought a solution.  Perhaps I am not the only one.

The Lowepro Primus AW, showing the harness system and
water bottle pocket.
The problem is as follows.  Like presumably many photographers, I own a camera backpack that is very rigid and protective.  It has a square-ish compartment with adjustable dividers, which allows the various lenses and bodies to be snugly nested in place.  Unfortunately, as a result of its structure it is also tremendously uncomfortable to wear, and provides no space for non-camera items such as a water bottle, field guide or spare clothing.  As a nature photographer I frequently find myself camera-in-hand, hiking through a forest or traipsing across a marsh, so features such as these are completely indispensable.

As a result of these shortcomings I often find myself throwing my valuable camera gear into a regular daypack, along with a water bottle and perhaps a sweater.  Loose in the pack the lenses bounce around, vulnerable to impact, and are constantly at risk of water damage should there be some sort of catastrophic bottle failure.

Seeking some middle ground, I set out to buy a new daypack for my upcoming trips – one that combines the structure of a camera bag with the comfort and utility of a hiking pack.  After a great deal of searching with little success, I finally stumbled on the Lowepro Primus AW.

The rigid bottom compartment has adjustable dividers and
pockets for memory cards and other small items.
At first glance, the Primus truly seems to represent the best of both worlds.  It has a rigid lower compartment with dividers for camera gear, and a capacious, flexible upper compartment for whatever else you need to carry.  In addition it has an open front compartment which accepts a large hydration pack, and an adjustable tripod/monopod rig on the outside which I suspect will also support a snake hook or bug net poles.

The upper compartment has room for a surprising amount of
gear, and more small pockets for various items.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this bag though, is its 8-point adjustable harness system.  Similar to systems found on much larger expedition packs, it is complete with a proper padded waist-belt and lumbar bolster.  The bag has some other handy gadgets too, like a side access panel for grabbing your camera quickly, an external water bottle pocket, a waterproof cover, and rear access to thwart would-be thieves and to keep the straps out of the mud when accessing your gear. 

The open front pocket supports a 2L hydration pack.
As if all that weren’t enough, there are incentives for the eco-friendly consumer too.  The bag’s fabric is made of primarily recycled material; Lowepro claims that each one uses the equivalent of 22 plastic water bottles.  To make it even greener, Lowepro donates a portion of each sale to polar bear conservation!

This bag definitely generates a favourable first impression.  I have worn it loaded for a short hike and it is remarkably comfortable.  While wearing the bag I am able to pull my 7D body and Tamron 180mm out of the side hatch with minimal difficulty.  It is only just big enough for one body and 3 medium-sized lenses (the smallest of which will likely ride the top compartment) but I appreciate the compactness, and it is apparently carry-on compatible.

The side access panel allows the wearer to access the
camera without removing the pack.
I am excited to break this bag in on my upcoming trips to the Dominican Republic and southern Africa, and will be sure to report on its performance when I get back.  Incidentally, the countdowns are on!

Dominican Republic: 5 days 
Madagascar and South Africa: 27 days

I can’t wait!

Kyle

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Website Update

I have been doing some work on the website in the last couple of days, and now have completed (for the time being) the "Butterflies and Moths" page of my image index, with a bunch of new images online.  It can be accessed here: http://www.kylehorner.com/photography/image_index.html.  Have a look if you'd like to reminisce about butterfly season!

Kyle

Monday, December 5, 2011

More Confusing Critters

Well I got back at the photos today, and it seems the ones I leave till last are the ones that are the trickiest.  This also means they take the most time and energy!  Here are two creatures that forced me to break out the field guides!

The first is a dragonfly - some sort of mosaic darner to be more specific.  After lots of reading and photo-referencing, I'm going to say it's a Shadow Darner, though I would love to be corrected if you know differently!  I do have other photos of the entire insect, if anyone fancies the challenge.  I really do need to get myself a better dragonfly field guide...

Shadow (?) Darner (Aeshna umbrosa)















The second creature of the day is a tiny moth that I can't find in any of the books I have (though as previously mentioned, my library is far from complete).  It's a good-looking creature, but I have no idea what it is!  Photographed in the Guelph Arboretum.

Unknown Moth















That's all for now!

Kyle

Friday, December 2, 2011

Random Photos

Well it has definitely been a slow fall for blog posts - I blame that on my real job and a daunting stack of unsorted photos.  I have started to sift through this aforementioned stack, and some of the results can be seen here.

On another note, I am gearing up for some time out of country - a week in the Dominican Republic with the family over Christmas, and the 2.5 month journey to southern Africa that I posted about earlier.  I am hopeful that both will deliver some excellent opportunities for good photos and stories to match.  I am long overdue for a shake-up, and can't wait to get going!

Anyway, on to the photos.  The first is an odd one that has been sitting in my "To Sort" folder for months, mostly because I'm not sure what to do with it for several reasons.  Firstly, I'm unsure of the species, though my educated guess is Sweetflag Spreadwing.  Secondly, the picture also features some mysterious white orbs (on the stem, under the damselfly), and I have no idea what they are.  I have asked a few knowledgeable folks, and they have been stumped as well.  I don't know if they are associated with the damselfly at all, or if it is simply a coincidence that they are together.  If anyone can solve this mystery, please let me know!  Also of note is the cluster of red mites attached to the underside of the spreadwing.

Sweetflag (?) Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus)















The second shot is another that fell by the wayside because it took more than 10 seconds to identify (and I'm sometimes lazy).  One of several plain, brown butterflies that lives here in southern Ontario, the Northern Pearly-Eye.  Distinguishable - it turns out - from the others by the reduced or absent second (from the front) spot on the forewing, especially noticeable from the underside (because I know you were wondering...)

Northern Pearly-Eye (Enodia anthedon)















This next one was a surprise find and a bit of a mystery.  I was herping in Simcoe County with a couple of friends, and one of them turned over a rock and uncovered this moth.  It certainly appears to be to be a Virgin Tiger Moth, but what I can't reconcile is that the forewing pattern is distinctly pinkish-orange, instead of the usual yellow.  I haven't seen a lot of these moths, so I don't know if this is a normal variation or if it's unusual.  Alternately, it is a different but similar species of which I am unaware.  I don't own a good moth book (necessary future investment) and have not been able to figure this out.  I was able to push the forewing aside, and it did have the red hindwing pattern that I associate with Virgin Tiger Moths (though apparently I was not smart enough to document this photographically).

Virgin (?) Tiger Moth (Grammia virgo)















The last shot for today was a quick grab-shot I took while looking for snakes in Norfolk County.  It was sweltering hot, we were out in a field, and we were skunked for snakes.  This little butterfly landed in front of me and, being unsure of its identity (and knowing I had not photographed one before), I started snapping.  I got three shots before it flew away - two were blurry, so this is now my only photo of an American Copper.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)















Well that's it for today, but it feels good to have made a dent in the pile of photos - hopefully it'll motivate me to do more soon!  I'll also get some details up about the upcoming travel as the preparations progress!

Kyle

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Going to Africa!

I haven't been posting much recently (sorry!), mostly because I have been busy with work, and also planning a pretty major journey for this winter.  As of January 9, I will be off to Africa!  More info to come, but in the meantime here's a map with the intended route:


View Madagascar/South Africa in a larger map

You can drag and zoom the map to get a better look, and click on the icons for descriptions.  It is a bit easier to deal with if you click the link below the map for the larger version!

Getting pretty excited!!

Kyle

Monday, October 24, 2011

More Illinois

Installment 2 is in!  Another 5 shots from Thanksgiving weekend:

Awesome Millipede!















Midland Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum)















Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)















Cope's or Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis or avivoca)















Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)















One more installment to come!

Kyle

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Southern Illinois

It has been a busy October, and as usual I am WAY behind on sorting photos!  On Thanksgiving weekend I took a trip to Illinois, organized by a good friend (thanks Steve!).  This was my third year doing this trip, and it was a blast as always.  We found lots of great herps, and I got a few decent shots too!  Here's the first few:

Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma)















Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma)















Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)















Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)















Mississippi Green Water Snake (Nerodia cyclopion)















That's all for now, hopefully more to come soon!

Kyle

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Reptile Workshop

Thanks to everyone who was involved in the Reptile and Amphibian Photography Workshop at Scales Nature Park this past weekend, I'd say it was a success!

A participant takes a shot at 'Swift' the Eastern Fox Snake















Park owner Jeff Hathaway tells the folks about a surprisingly well behaved Eastern Garter Snake















Kyle

Monday, September 26, 2011

Back Online!

Great success!

Kyle

Website Down

I seem to be having a website problem.  Not sure why, but I'm working on it!

Kyle

Monday, September 19, 2011

Reptile and Amphibian Workshop!

The Reptile and Amphibian Photography workshop is coming up!  This Sunday make the trip to Scales Nature Park in Orillia for a rare opportunity to photograph some of Ontario's native reptiles and amphibians (and some exotics too)!  This workshop includes your day's admission to the nature park, a private tour, photography instruction and a private photo session with the animals.  Don't miss out!

For more information, visit the website: http://www.kylehorner.com/workshops/workshops_fall_2011.html
















Kyle

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Nature Photography on the Farm

Had a great time at Irvine Creek Organics on Saturday teaching a nature photography workshop!  Many thanks to them for hosting - what a great site and a beautiful day!

















Kyle

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Workshop this weekend!

One last plug for my "pay what you can" workshop at Irvine Creek Organic Farm this weekend.  It's shaping up to be a good one!

http://irvinecreekorganics.com/?page_id=816

Also, I am running a photo contest right now.  If you like taking pictures of nature, get out to the Gosling Wildlife Gardens and start shooting!

http://www.goslingwildlifegarden.org/index.cfm?page=photocontest

Kyle

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Simcoe County Herps

Made it up to a favourite spot in Simcoe County this other day with a few friends in search of reptiles and and amphibians.  We had some excellent success, and it was just generally an excellent day!

Before I get to the photos, this seems an appropriate time to mention that I have set a date for my upcoming Reptile and Amphibian Photography Workshop!  I'm really excited to try this workshop format - it will be taking place at Scales Nature Park in Orillia.  It includes admission to the nature park, a private tour, an hour of photography instruction and two hours of shooting the live animals with the help of a professional wrangler.  The park houses the most complete collection of native (Ontario) reptiles and amphibians anywhere, and some cool exotics too!  The date is September 25.  Let me know if you're interested!

Ok, enough shameless promotion - on to the photos!

Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)  See more...





















Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)  See more...















Northern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)  See more...















And the find of the weekend (not found by me though) - a neonate Massasauga!

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)  See more...















That's all for now!

Kyle

Monday, August 29, 2011

Northern Two-lined Salamander

I am waaay behind on photo-sorting as usual!  A couple of weekends ago I made it to Haliburton County with my father in search of one of the few Ontario amphibians I've never seen - the Northern Two-lined Salamander.  I had some good intel on where I might find one (thank you friend!), so I was feeling lucky.

While searching, we did manage to find another amphibian that I had yet to see this year - a Mink Frog!

Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis)  See more...















We also stumbled across some of the most interesting American Toads I've seen, including some very orange ones.

American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)  See more...















However, in spite of our small frog victories, hours of searching in the rain failed to produce the salamanders.  We decided to throw in the proverbial towel, but as we walked back towards the car we stopped by a promising stream for the third time that day, just in case.  This turned out to be an excellent decision!

Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)  See more...















A glorious day indeed.

More photos to come soon, I promise!

Kyle

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Condensed Workshop

I have been chatting with the good folks at Irvine Creek Organic Farm near Belwood, and I have agreed to do a workshop as a part of their fall workshop series.  It will be a 3-hour "Nature Photography 101" workshop on September 10.  Best of all, admission to the workshop is "pay what you can"!

For more information, visit their website here: Irvine Creek.

Hope to see you there!
Kyle

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

More Butterflies!

Took a trip down to Long Point on Sunday in search of herps.  Didn't find very many, but did get to continue my butterfly-ing.  Added a few more species to my weekend list, it now looks like this:

Monarch
Viceroy
Red-spotted Purple
Giant Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Cabbage White
Common Wood-Nymph
Question Mark
Eastern Comma
Red Admiral
Silver-spotted Skipper
Juvenal's Duskywing
Hummingbird Clearwing

That's a good handful of species, and without a great deal of work or searching!  It's definitely a fine time of year for our little winged friends.

I did manage a few more photos from Sunday.  It was incredibly windy at LP, which makes Lep photography challenging as all of the vegetation is swaying violently.  Nonetheless, got a few I was happy with.

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) See more...






















A lovely addition to my butterfly sex collection (2).

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) See more...















Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) See more...















Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) See more...















Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) See more...















That's all for now, hopefully I track down some of those crafty herps in the near future!

Kyle

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Butterflies!

It's a great time of year to get out and find some butterflies!  In a few hours at The Arboretum over the last two days, I have seen the following species:

Monarch
Viceroy
Red-spotted Purple
Giant Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Cabbage White
Silver-spotted Skipper
Juvenal's Duskywing
Common Wood-Nymph
Hummingbird Clearwing (not a butterfly, but I say it counts!)

If you're a lepidoptera-aficionado there's no excuse not to be out there!  Below are some photos from today and yesterday - to see others click on "see more" above each pic.

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) See more...















Viceroy (Limenitis archippusSee more...















Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontesSee more...















(If you've never seen a Giant Swallowtail, go to the Gosling Wildlife Gardens right now, sit in Garden #1 and wait.  Watch for something that resembles a medium-sized bird or light aircraft.)

Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemisSee more...















Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalisSee more...















Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegalaSee more...















Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbeSee more...















Happy lepping!

Kyle

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Herps!

As promised, I got out to a few favourite local spots for some photography today.  I missed some of the species I was after, but got a few decent shots nonetheless.

Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) see more...















Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) see more...


















Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) see more...


Salamander (Ambystoma sp.) see more...















Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
















That's all for now!
:)
Kyle