tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90606434973984065012024-03-14T08:28:28.668-04:00Kyle Horner Nature BlogHello, and welcome to the blog! I am a wildlife photographer, environmental educator, birder and naturalist based in southern Ontario, Canada. On this blog you'll find my most recent photos and stories. For information about workshops, presentations and stock or print photography please visit my website at www.kylehorner.com. Thanks for stopping by!Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-28053584502066347272015-12-04T16:40:00.002-05:002015-12-04T16:41:24.232-05:00The end of an era?Well ladies and gentlemen, the time has come...I'm officially closing down the blog. If we're honest, it's basically been closed down for a while now. With so many other ways to share photos these days, it just doesn't make much sense anymore. Maybe someday, if I ever get my act together to do some actual writing, I'll bring it back to life in one form or another.<br />
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Never fear though, as there are still plenty of ways to find me on the interwebs. Here are some of them:<br />
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Website: <a href="http://kylehorner.com/">www.kylehorner.com/</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KyleHornerNature">www.facebook.com/KyleHornerNature</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KHornerNature">www.twitter.com/KHornerNature</a><br />
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/khornernature/">www.instagram.com/khornernature/</a><br />
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That'll be all for now. I leave you with this photo of a dragonfly:<br />
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Swift River Cruiser (<i>Macromia illinoiensis</i>)<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-46621890275797324562015-03-25T20:28:00.000-04:002015-03-25T20:28:07.165-04:00Jonesin'Well, it's always this time of year that I begin to get desperate for the Spring, and the return of the frogs, snakes, dragonflies, butterflies, spiders and other creatures that I love to watch and photograph. It seems to be taking an especially long time this year, which makes it even worse!<br />
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My restlessness is good for one thing at least - it gets me editing photos in my never-ending backlog! I happen to have reached Northern Water Snake on the (alphabetical) list, and it added a little insult to my injured state when I realized that the photos below were taken on April 5 last year. That date is so close, but water-snake-watching seems so far away!<br />
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Nevertheless, I spent a great afternoon with the water snakes at Royal Botanical Gardes last Spring. They are undoubtedly one of my favourite Ontario species, though not everybody feels the same way! I think these shy, peaceful snakes are solid contenders for the most misunderstood species in our province, and I can't get enough of them!<br />
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Northern Water Snake (<i>Nerodia sipedon</i>)<br />
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Northern Water Snake (<i>Nerodia sipedon</i>)<br />
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Northern Water Snake (<i>Nerodia sipedon</i>)<br />
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Northern Water Snake (<i>Nerodia sipedon</i>) and Northern Leopard Frog (<i>Lithobates pipiens</i>)<br />
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Think warm thoughts!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-20636723427397091492015-01-16T18:44:00.000-05:002015-01-16T18:44:00.635-05:00New year, new (old) blog?Hello!<br />
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Well it's a full 7 months since I last posted here - in fact I let pretty much all of my social-media-type things go in the latter half of 2014. Just needed a break I suppose, and a bit of a re-think. But with the onset of 2015 I'm diving back into the mix, and there are many changes and updates to annouce!<br />
<br />First and foremost, about a month back I published a new website! The old one was long overdue for an upgrade, and I'm excited to have something new, simple and clean. You can see it in the same bat-place:<br />
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<a href="http://www.kylehorner.com/">www.kylehorner.com</a><br />
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Secondly, I have taken yet a third reluctant plunge (Facebook and Twitter being long under the belt) into a social medium, and gotten an Instagram account. Do you Instagram? If so, you can find me here:<br />
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<a href="http://instagram.com/khornernature/">http://instagram.com/khornernature/</a><br />
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Thirdly, I'm excited to be guiding a trip to Florida for Eagle Eye Tours in about a month's time. If you have some spare cash and nothing to do mid-Feb, you can find the details here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.eagle-eye.com/florida-birding-tour">http://www.eagle-eye.com/florida-birding-tour</a><br />
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And finally, with photography and other activities being slow in the winter, I have been working hard to process as many photos as I can, and finally get my collection up-to-date! Here's a whole bunch of shiny new edits from the last few months:<br />
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Definite Tussock Moth (<i>Orgyia definata</i>)<br />
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Dun Skipper (<i>Euphyes vestris</i>)<br />
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Band-winged Meadowhawk (<i>Sympetrum semicinctum</i>)<br />
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Long-tailed Salamander (<i>Eurycea longicauda</i>)<br />
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Ebony Jewelwing (<i>Calopteryx maculata</i>)<br />
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White-faced Meadowhawk (<i>Sympetrum obtrusum</i>)<br />
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American Robin (<i>Turdus migratorius</i>)<br />
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American Redstart (<i>Setophaga ruticilla</i>)<br />
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Gray Catbird (<i>Dumetella carolinensis</i>)<br />
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Greater Yellowlegs (<i>Tringa melanoleuca</i>)<br />
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Herring Gull (<i>Larus smithsonianus</i>)<br />
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Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (<i>Sistrurus catenatus</i>)<br />
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<br />Mississippi Green Water Snake (<i>Nerodia cyclopion</i>)<br />
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Masked Treefrog (<i>Smilisca phaeota</i>)<br />
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Trout Lily (<i>Erythronium americanum</i>)<br />
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Fingers crossed for more to come (New Years resolutions being what they will)!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-35689308177879227602014-05-12T15:38:00.001-04:002014-05-12T15:38:18.397-04:00Mission: BloodrootHello!<br />
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I have finally managed to get out and do some shooting, and am now sorting through a whack of photos from the last little while. This morning I decided to go in search of a spring wildflower that I've been wanting to photograph for a while: Bloodroot. Those who know me know that I'm not much of a plant person, but I try to get myself out there at least once per Spring to take advantage of the spectacular blooms that dapple the forest floor. They are actually tons of fun to shoot, and move less than my usually quarry. I'm almost always pleased with the results.<br />
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Bloodroot, somehow, has evaded me in previous Springs...I always seem to miss it. But I knew the timing would be right today, and I had fortuitously booked the day off work, so it was the perfect opportunity! Exposing these snow-white flowers properly is a challenge, both in-camera and in post, but I did manage to get some shots I'm pretty happy with.<br />
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Bloodroot (<i>Sanguinaria canadensis</i>)<br />
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Bloodroot (<i>Sanguinaria canadensis</i>)<br />
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Bloodroot (<i>Sanguinaria canadensis</i>)<br />
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Bloodroot (<i>Sanguinaria canadensis</i>)<br />
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Bloodroot (<i>Sanguinaria canadensis</i>)<br />
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I did shoot some other wildflowers as well, and couldn't resist a few animal subjects, so hopefully more photos soon!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-68832480786614392422014-03-31T21:43:00.000-04:002014-03-31T21:43:05.051-04:00More Odes!Spring seems to finally be springing - what a gorgeous day! Had my first Killdeer of the year, and my first stoneflies too. There is hope for the future.<br />
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In the meantime, the dragonfly (and damselfly) editing spree continues! Here are some more:<br />
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Cherry-faced or Ruby Meadowhawk (<i>Sympetrum sp.</i>)<br />
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Cherry-faced or Ruby Meadowhawk (<i>Sympetrum sp.</i>)<br />
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Powdered Dancer (<i>Argia moesta</i>)<br />
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Slaty Skimmer (<i>Libellula incesta</i>)<br />
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Hopefully we'll be seeing some in-person soon! <br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-52325343890876138642014-03-28T20:05:00.001-04:002014-03-28T20:05:39.043-04:00Playing catchup...as always!Hello!<br />
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Somehow managed to get motivated to edit some photos still in the sort pile from last year today! Here are some dragonflies and damselflies from the year that was 2013:<br />
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Eastern Pondhawk (<i>Erythemis simplicicollis</i>)<br />
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Ebony Jewelwing (<i>Calopteryx maculata</i>)<br />
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Four-spotted Skimmer (<i>Libellula quadrimaculata</i>)<br />
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Frosted Whiteface (<i>Leucorrhinia frigida</i>)<br />
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Hagen's Bluet (<i>Enallagma hageni</i>)<br />
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Lance-tipped Darner (<i>Aeshna constricta</i>)<br />
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Hopefully progress continues! Won't be long (hopefully) until we're seeing dragonflies for real!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-15806270380465434212014-03-22T15:40:00.002-04:002014-03-22T15:53:17.870-04:00Getting Back to BusinessHello world!<br />
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I can't believe that my last blog post was "A few fall photos...", nearly 5 months ago! It has been a long winter in many ways, and I haven't spent much time thinking about blogs or Facebook or photos. Although the winter is typically a slow season for me, especially from a photography standpoint (a major challenge of specializing in reptiles, amphibians and bugs), it has been punctuated by some exciting things! I co-lead my first tour for <a href="http://www.eagle-eye.com/">Eagle Eye Tours</a> (a hunt for endemic birds in Central Mexico), and had a great time delivering presentations for the <a href="http://www.torontofieldnaturalists.org/">Toronto Field Naturalists</a>, the <a href="http://www.probus.org/14flambr.htm">Flamborough Probus Club</a>, the <a href="http://www.rbg.ca/">Royal Botanical Gardens</a> Docents and <a href="http://www.natureguelph.ca/">Nature Guelph</a>. I also just recently had an image published in <a href="http://onnaturemagazine.com/">Ontario Nature</a> magazine, attached to a great article about the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project (p.7)!<br />
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As the weather warms (sort of) I'm trying to get back on top of things, in preparation for the return of the migrants and the emergency of all the scaly, slimy and crawly things that I love. I've been working on a few odds and ends, such as:<br />
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<li>Updating my <a href="http://kylehorner.blogspot.ca/p/upcoming-presentations.html">Upcoming Presentations</a> page.</li>
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<li>Refurbishing my long-dormant <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kylehorner/">Flickr</a> profile.</li>
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<li>Taking the plunge into the strange, new world of <a href="http://500px.com/kylejhorner">500px</a>.</li>
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Today I even edited a few photos from my giant pile! Here are a trio from last summer that never saw the light of day:</div>
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Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea)</div>
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Violet Dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea)<br />
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Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta)</div>
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Now all I need is for Spring to arrive, and I'll be all set to go! Getting a bit impatient...</div>
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Kyle</div>
Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-79524861196706913222013-11-08T14:43:00.000-05:002013-11-08T15:36:46.702-05:00A few fall photos...Finally getting around to editing some photos from the fall, and it's about time! One of the highlights of my fall (as it has been for the past 4 years) was heading down to Illinois on Thanksgiving weekend in search of some awesome critters! Here are a few highlights:<br />
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For me the most exciting moment of the trip was finding my very first Copperhead (I have seen and even photographed them before, but never found one myself)! This little fella was hiding beneath a log, and never moved a muscle.<br />
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Northern x Southern Copperhead (<i>Agkistrodon contortrix</i>)<br />
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A significant portion of this trip is always spent in search of the elusive Eastern Box Turtle, and finding one is always an event. This beautiful male was especially exciting!<br />
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Eastern Box Turtle (<i>Terrapene carolina</i>)<br />
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We had a banner year for one of the smallest and poorest-known snake species in the area, the Smooth Earth Snake. These little guys normally hide underground or under leaf litter, so it was exciting to see a few out and about!<br />
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Smooth Earth Snake (<i>Virginia valeriae</i>)<br />
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Finally, being a nature photographer, especially one who focuses on reptiles, amphibians and bugs, often means getting a little dirty for the craft. It's not uncommon for me to be lying on my belly in the mud or wading into a pond in search of the right angle. But when I heard there was a Northern Widow in the outhouse, I knew things were going to get messy...<br />
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When you've gotta go... (thanks to Jenn Bock for immortalizing this moment)<br />
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What a beauty!<br />
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Northern Widow (<i>Latrodectus variolus</i>)<br />
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That's all for now!<br />
KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-59517128374615352192013-09-22T16:01:00.002-04:002013-09-22T18:47:29.715-04:00Dominican Butterflies and Fall PlansHello! <br />
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I hope this first day of fall is treating you all well! I love the changing seasons...and change in general. I never like to do the same thing for too long!<br />
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I haven't been doing much shooting recently, but I <i>have</i> been editing a bit. I was working back through some old photos from a 2011 trip to the Dominican Republic, and found a folder full of butterflies I'd always intended to identify but never gotten around to. I managed to nail down most of them, although one remains a mystery (any butterfly aficionados out there fancy a challenge?). Here they are:<br />
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White Peacock (<i>Anartia jatrophae</i>)<br />
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Gulf Fritillary (<i>Agraulis vanillae</i>)<br />
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Zebra (<i>Heliconius charithonae</i>)<br />
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And now the stumper....ready for it? <br />
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Mangrove or Tropical Buckeye (<i>Junonia genoveva </i>or <i>evarete</i>)<br />
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I don't feel so badly about being unable to pin this down, as a) the two species look incredibly similar and b) nobody seems to know which one is which! <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740" target="_blank">BugGuide</a> (which I take to be the be-all-and-end-all on all things bug-related) has this to say:<br />
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"There has been a lot of confusion due to the switching back and forth of the usage of the names <i>Junonia genoveva</i> and <i>Junonia evarete</i>, and most of the photographs up to date on BugGuide were switched from current usage due to this confusion, and the resultant fact that many field guides have backwards or confused treatments as well. Hopefully the Lamas treatment will be the final word, and things won't keep switching back and forth!"</blockquote>
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Unfortunately the Lamas treatment simply assigns the correct name to the correct butterfly, but doesn't help at all in identifying which is which. And because you can't trust the name-assignment in any other guide/source, it seems pretty much impossible to get this little bugger to species! The one that got away I suppose...<br />
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Anyway, on to non-butterfly-related things. Got a few fun plans for the fall, and I'm hoping they'll push me to spend some time camera-in-hand. First, I'm headed out to Tadoussac, QC next week with my father in search of these:</div>
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Then down to the US of A in October on an annual hunt (but not the shooting type) for these:</div>
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I'm pretty excited for both, as I've really been jonesin' for an adventure, even a small one! Finally, on October 7 I will be giving a talk to the <a href="http://hamiltonnature.org/" target="_blank">Hamilton Naturalists' Club</a> about these:</div>
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The talk is open to the public, so come on out!</div>
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I think that's all the news for now - get out there and see some cool fall nature!</div>
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Kyle</div>
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Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-84968020491937910162013-08-28T22:05:00.002-04:002013-08-28T22:05:58.579-04:00Flower HuntersWhen it comes to carnivorous invertebrates, I've always had a soft spot for dragonflies (as regular blog visitors will recognize). But perhaps coming a close second, at least from a photographer's perspective, is the unrelated group of critters that I'll call flower predators. These crafty creatures disguise themselves as flower parts and prey upon unsuspecting pollinators, taking cunning advantage of nature's elaborate system for insect attraction.<br />
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Last year I posted the photo below of a Goldenrod Crab Spider preying on a European Honey Bee (albeit not on Goldenrod). These little spiders are favourites of mine, and can actually change their colour from white to yellow in order to match their background.<br />
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Goldenrod Crab Spider (<i>Misumena vatia</i>) with European Honey Bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>)<br />
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A few days ago I had the good luck to stumble upon a completely different flower predator, also munching (or rather sucking) on a meal of bee. Ambush bugs belong to a group of insects that entomologists confusingly call "True Bugs". The group is distinguished by its mouthparts, which function as a bi-directional, hypodermic needle. They impale their prey (which may be animal or plant, depending on the species), inject a digestive enzyme then suck out the resultant goop.<br />
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The ambush bugs get their name from their hunting strategy, which as you may now have guessed, involves sitting in wait, camouflaged on a flower. They then use their raptorial forelimbs to snare their prey, then quickly set about the act of pre-digestion. <br />
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I am admittedly poorly-acquainted with our native bees, so while I have some inklings, I will withhold any embarrassing guess at the identity of the unfortunate victim.<br />
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Ambush Bug (<i>Phymata sp.</i>) with prey<br />
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And another angle on the action:<br />
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Keep an eye out for upside-down bees as you smell the flowers - they always point you to something good!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-27151134995134004502013-08-25T16:04:00.000-04:002013-08-25T20:19:55.772-04:00Magnificent Moths!I had the good fortune to join a small crew of lovely folks at the Guelph Arboretum a few nights ago for some spirited mothing. I was amazed to learn that over 600 moth species have been observed at The Arboretum alone, and when we delved into the identification of them I was instantly hooked by the new challenge! <br />
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For the uninitiated, mothing involves the attracting of nocturnal moths using UV lights, moth bait (comprised of rotting fruit and beer) and sometimes, though not on this occasion, pheromones. Attracting them is easy - figuring out what they are is a whole different story! <br />
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Many of the moths we attracted were tiny, but there was a fair number of big ones too (definitely more interesting to a neophyte like me, and easier to photograph too!). I grabbed a handful of photos - here is a small selection:<br />
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The Herald (<i>Scoliopteryx libatrix</i>) - moths have great names!<br />
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Pale Beauty (<i>Campaea perlata</i>) - a common sight by the porch light.<br />
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Pink-spotted Dart (<i>Pseudohermonassa bicarnea</i>) - I think, anyway...<br />
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Baltimore Snout (<i>Hypena baltimoralis</i>) - an appropriate moniker.<br />
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The Bride (<i>Catocala neogama</i>) - big and beautiful, enjoying some rotted fruit and beer.<br />
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In between checking for adult moths, we searched for some young guns:<br />
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Beautiful Wood-Nymph (<i>Eudryas grata</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfhhd1CkeK1_yk2TMA9unnA8VHUus_XW9BCW3bs-TTEYN09hJ_xhRCEOYoU4OPNVsC67ex0PMksQGCkrYzGnbcZS52ZjiD813qfWZMjdJc2qTOj9E25go-xCBOzwJwHNxgtcPh-oP37BW/s1600/common_wood_nymph_1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfhhd1CkeK1_yk2TMA9unnA8VHUus_XW9BCW3bs-TTEYN09hJ_xhRCEOYoU4OPNVsC67ex0PMksQGCkrYzGnbcZS52ZjiD813qfWZMjdJc2qTOj9E25go-xCBOzwJwHNxgtcPh-oP37BW/s400/common_wood_nymph_1_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's all for now!<br />
Kyle<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-6989647746405686782013-08-13T20:00:00.001-04:002013-08-13T20:00:39.511-04:00The New Brunswick Python Story<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>I had intended to wait until all of the facts were clear to address the New Brunswick python situation, but it is becoming increasingly clear that this may never be the case. What follows below is my opinion, and I apologize if it offends.</i></div>
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There’s no sense beating around the bush: the New
Brunswick python story is a tragic situation.
If the case is as presented in the media, it speaks to great negligence
on the part of the snake’s owner. If it’s
not, perhaps it speaks to something even worse.
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While many have rushed to conclusions, in my mind there
is still a great deal of room for doubt here.
The story as presented is, to put it mildly, completely bizarre. As a reptile biologist, educator, hobbyist
and one-time keeper of giant snakes (in a zoo setting) the details of the story
are difficult for me to fathom, and there are many unanswered questions. Why would this snake, or any snake, constrict
and kill something it did not then try to eat?
Why not one boy, but two? Why has
there been no mention of the bite marks, broken bones or extensive bruising
that would accompany constriction by a large python? How did a 45kg animal falling from the
ceiling and violently constricting two boys not draw the attention of the other
people in the house? How did the killing
of the first boy not wake the second?
And so on.</div>
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When reading the stories and watching the news, I think
it is important to keep in mind the great deal of conjecture, potential
misinformation and missing information involved, and to keep an open mind for
now. Regardless of the outcome though,
there is no doubt that this story has affected the way people look at
snakes. Angry mobs are calling for the
closure of zoos, a war on exotic pets and the banishment of those who keep
them.</div>
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Making matters worse is the fact that the reptile
community does – like many communities – play host to its fair share of sketchy
characters. And that the community, as a
whole, doesn’t have a history of responding to controversy in the most
professional, upstanding and responsible way.
In the last week I have seen not one but two individuals strolling
around downtown with snakes on their arms, an apparent act of solidarity that
serves only to alarm, frighten and generally worsen public perception.</div>
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While I am content to treat the New Brunswick situation
as an incredibly isolated incident (almost certainly unique in Canadian
history) and to accept the evidence as it comes, I worry about what this means
for the world that, in spite of its inadequacies, I have come to love. Reptile zoos, and even the reptile pet trade,
serve a vital purpose to educate and improve attitudes about the most imperiled
of Canada’s creatures.</div>
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I will be the first to agree that giant snakes, like the
African Rock Python, should not be allowed as house pets under any
condition. Their keeping should be
limited to qualified zoos with properly trained staff and the appropriate
safety measures. By-laws already address
this in most municipalities. But there
is a host of species that make excellent educational ambassadors, and even good
pets. </div>
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Take, for example, the humble Corn Snake. Captive bred for over 70 years, these peaceable
snakes do not exceed 2m in length and are incapable of harming anything larger
than a rat. Western Hognose Snakes are
short and fat, and make their living eating toads and salamanders. Rosy Boas could easily fit their entire body
on top of the head of one of their larger, better-known cousins, and can be
kept for their entire lives in a Rubbermaid sweaterbox.</div>
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Close-up experiences with these and other
responsibly-kept species help kids (and adults) overcome fears, replace
misinformation with knowledge, co-exist with their local fauna and contribute
to reptile conservation. They are the
kind of experiences that put me where I am today, teaching others about nature
and fighting for conservation through education and personal connection. For every shady snake guy, there is a host of
wonderful, responsible people providing lasting experiences in a safe manner.</div>
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Whatever the verdict in the New Brunswick case, I hope
that when the dust settles we can all take a step back and see reason. When (or if) the complete story comes to
light, the blame will fall squarely on the shoulders of a person, not an animal
or a community. We should support
reasonable rules and regulations for zoos and pet owners, and hold them
appropriately accountable, but we must realize the vital purpose they
serve. Protection, both of ourselves and
our wild neighbours, will be achieved not through fist-shaking, finger-pointing
and angry letters, but through tolerance, understanding and cooperation.</div>
Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-20017254811845528012013-08-07T20:51:00.002-04:002013-08-07T20:51:40.733-04:00Boring Odes?I am playing catch-up as usual, but managing to get a few shots edited. On my recent foray to shield country, I picked up a few photo-lifer odes. Exciting for me, but I suspect that to many, they are some of the less charismatic dragons and damsels out there. Nevertheless, I like 'em, so here they are!<br />
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If any odonate experts out there see issues with my identifications, let me know! These freakin' things are hard!!<br />
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Ashy Clubtail (<i>Gomphus lividus</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHRfYQiV42U-GrROCbt4aIFsHbNJH4umEEnIBmZMDvy2wd3xfnOw0JM3i0ixia2pGFa_f31Jvwv1rmMO1KGPsQrGuyMskBGowbH1-J2dRjLZTBv8iNuYts3s1WVgyiIR2LxfFIVWKZS3/s1600/ashy_clubtail_1_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHRfYQiV42U-GrROCbt4aIFsHbNJH4umEEnIBmZMDvy2wd3xfnOw0JM3i0ixia2pGFa_f31Jvwv1rmMO1KGPsQrGuyMskBGowbH1-J2dRjLZTBv8iNuYts3s1WVgyiIR2LxfFIVWKZS3/s400/ashy_clubtail_1_web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lancet Clubtail (<i>Gomphus exilis</i>)<br />
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Stream Bluet (<i>Enallagma exsulans</i>) - and a lot of mites!<br />
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Hagen's Bluet (<i>Enallagma hageni</i>)<br />
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They may be the sparrows of the odonate world...<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-86810347112273965002013-08-06T20:31:00.003-04:002013-08-06T20:31:36.738-04:00Sometimes things just work...Haven't posted on the blog in forever - it's been a busy summer! I'm way behind (as usual) in photo editing, but figured I'd better put one up here before Blogger closes my account :).<br />
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Here's a recent shot that I was really pleased with...not because it's a fantastic photo, but because of the circumstances surrounding it. The small, brown, forest butterflies (Wood-Nymph, Eyed Brown, Pearly-Eye, etc) are always challenging subjects. They are fast and flighty, rarely land (and even more rarely in opportune photographic locations) and tend to hang out in dark places.<br />
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When hiking recently in Silent Lake Provincial Park I spotted an Eyed Brown landing on a tree nearby, about 8 feet off the ground. The canopy was very heavy and the day was overcast, so the conditions were really dark. Using the flash meant that I would likely only get one shot, as the creature would likely take off in response to the burst of light. So I took a good guess at the exposure, prepared the flash and crept towards the tree. I leaned against the trunk, pointed the lens straight up, focused and fired. Sure enough, the butterfly took off and I was left waiting till I got home to see if it worked.<br />
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Turned out not too shabby :).<br />
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Eyed Brown (<i>Satyrodes eurydice</i>)<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-29242385848057973412013-06-21T21:51:00.001-04:002013-06-21T21:51:31.293-04:00Skinkin'Headed up to the Georgian Bay area last weekend in search of reptiles. The rain thwarted the better part of our attempt, but we did have good luck with Ontario's only lizard during a soggy hike. Here are a few shots:<br />
<br />Five-lined Skink (<i>Plestiodon fasciatus</i>)<br />
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Five-lined Skink (<i>Plestiodon fasciatus</i>)<br />
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We happened on to a male in full breeding adornment - I've always wanted to photograph one of these spectacular little guys!<br />
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Five-lined Skink (<i>Plestiodon fasciatus</i>)<br />
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Five-lined Skink (<i>Plestiodon fasciatus</i>)<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-66492396543180363102013-06-05T20:47:00.000-04:002013-06-05T20:47:01.925-04:00Butterfly StudyBack on the editing train today, and I came across a series of photos much like the dragonfly study from several posts ago - a very cooperative subject, interesting background and good lighting. So, here is study #2.<br />
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I had a great year with Painted Ladies last year, a species that I had not previously had much luck with. They are one of my favourite Ontario butterflies - they seem to have a particularly bright shade of orange, and their underwing pattern is spectacular. This individual was photographed in the Guelph Arboretum in mid-August.<br />
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Painted Lady (<i>Vanessa cardui</i>)<br />
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Painted Lady (<i>Vanessa cardui</i>)<br />
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Painted Lady (<i>Vanessa cardui</i>)<br />
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Painted Lady (<i>Vanessa cardui</i>)<br />
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Painted Lady (<i>Vanessa cardui</i>)<br />
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Jonesin' to get out and do some shooting - hopefully this weekend!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-82369726753684331902013-06-01T17:43:00.001-04:002013-06-01T17:43:24.965-04:00Dear Naturalists - An Open LetterDear (Fellow) Naturalists,<br />
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Kyle here. You may not remember, but we have met before. I ran into you in Algonquin, chatted birds with you at Pelee, and paddled alongside you on Georgian Bay. We are actually old friends, you and I, and I have enjoyed getting to know you.<br />
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I must be frank though, if this fruitful relationship is to continue. Sometimes I find you just a little frustrating. It's not your lack of fashion sense or social couth that bothers me (usually). No, my concern is that sometimes, just sometimes, you can be a bit elitist.<br />
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Now I know you may find this hard to hear and believe, but try to think about it objectively. I saw you turn your nose up at the cyclists who disrupted your morning trail-walk. I heard you mutter under your breath when a band of dog-walkers frightened away the bird you were eyeing. And I watched you scorn with derision when the new guy at the office confided that he was a hunter.<br />
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You talk a good game about wanting others to enjoy and appreciate nature, but I'm beginning to learn that you have a very narrow idea of what that means. What you mean to say is that you want others to enjoy nature, but only as long as they enjoy nature <i>like you do</i>. Cyclists, dog-walkers, rock-climbers, hunters, fishermen and other 'users' of the outdoors need not apply.<br />
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You believe, I think, that all of these other forms of outdoor recreation do more harm to nature than good. You view them all too often as the enemies of conservation, and even think of them as less worthy than yourselves. You feel that only you truly understand nature, and that others just don't get it.<br />
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Well naturalists, I think you are in desperate need of a reality check. The fight for conservation is a perennially uphill battle, and one that deserves a united front. If nature-lovers are set on squabbling amongst themselves, what kind of image will we present to the policy-makers and dollar-holders? Here we truly must take advantage of strength in numbers.<br />
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There is much more to this equation than simple math though. What you often fail to recognize is that the key to conserving nature is assigning it value. Certainly nature has value to <i>you</i>, but that value is something unquantifiable, and governments and businesses work in dollars and cents not sentiment and emotion. This is where outdoor recreation shows its worth.<br />
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These nature 'users' bring about a measurable, quantifiable value for nature. Hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports are profitable, so governments find them worthy of attention. The government of Ontario, for example, administers hunting and fishing permits and levies fines against violators. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources claims to have sold 766000 Outdoors Cards in 2011 alone. At about $10 each, it doesn't take an economist to understand we're dealing with big bucks.<br />
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The beauty of this system is that outdoor sports only have value if their practice remains possible, and it remains possible only if nature is intact. Any hunter, fisherman or mountain biker worth his salt recognizes that the deterioration of nature means the disappearance of his favourite passtime. Therefore nature <i>use</i> breeds conservation, and lo the naturalists and hunters share a common goal. Granted there are certainly irresponsible outdoor enthusiasts, but if we're going to judge a group by only its most objectionable members, you naturalists are certainly not all peaches and cream.<br />
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Because most nature users recognize the need for conservation, they are not hesitant to commit money to the cause. Non-profits like Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited receive this money via donations, membership fees and fundraising activities, then invest it in initiatives like wetland conservation and stream restoration. Ducks Unlimited protects over 940000 acres of habitat in Ontario alone, while the Nature Conservancy of Canada - supported more by naturalists than hunters - protects 405260 acres nationwide*. And do you know where those Outdoors Card fees go? You guessed it: wildlife and fisheries management.<br />
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I should clarify at this point that I am not a hunter or fisherman, a mountain biker or even a dog-walker. I won't claim that I always agree 100% with those who are, or that I think the above-mentioned non-profits are perfect. But I know and have known sportsmen (and women), and I know that their love and appreciation for nature is as genuine as mine, even if their relationship with it is a little different. I also know (as does anyone who works with children or animals) that working <i>with</i> is much more productive than working <i>against</i>, and that fostering cooperative relationships is a better way to affect change than infighting and head-butting. <br />
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So I implore you, naturalists, to open your hearts and minds to all those who appreciate nature. Allow yourself to consider the notion that anyone who has motivation to conserve nature should be your friend, and that together we present a stronger voice than we could apart. Be prepared to talk through differences and contribute to productive discussion without becoming confrontational, overprotective or entitled. Don't allow elitism to take precedence over what is truly important.<br />
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It seems this has become a lengthy letter and I hope, my dear fellow naturalists, that it has caused no offense. I hope to run into you for many years to come, in Algonquin, at Pelee and on the Bay (and to continue taking gentle jabs at your choice of attire). Keep fighting the good fight, look for opportunities to make new friends from old enemies, and don't let the small things sway your focus from what really matters.<br />
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Your Friend,<br />
Kyle<br />
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*I by no means intend to imply that NCC is inferior or unworthy - they are a fantastic organization that does excellent work. I include the numbers here only as a useful and thought-provoking comparison.<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-5809340397531723942013-05-22T22:59:00.004-04:002013-05-22T22:59:49.678-04:00Dragonfly StudyDragonfly season is fast approaching! Are you as excited as I am? You should be!<br />
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I was getting caught up on some photos from last year, and came upon this series taken of a single animal. It was my first crack at Black Saddlebags, and some patience and excellent lighting produced some favourable results (<i>I</i> think, anyway). They may be one of my favourite species because of their instant recognizability (made-up word), striking patterns and migratory behaviour. The latter means you are often chasing them in cool places, like a beach on the Lake Erie shore (where these photos were taken). <br />
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Black Saddlebags (<i>Tramea lacerata</i>)<br />
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Black Saddlebags (<i>Tramea lacerata</i>)<br />
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Black Saddlebags (<i>Tramea lacerata</i>)<br />
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Black Saddlebags (<i>Tramea lacerata</i>)<br />
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Black Saddlebags (<i>Tramea lacerata</i>)<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-23395454883291192952013-05-09T07:59:00.001-04:002013-05-09T07:59:31.903-04:00Wildflowers ContinuedAs promised, here are a few more wildflower images from the other day. Still only halfway through them, so one more installment to come!<br />
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Blue Cohosh (<i>Caulophyllum thalictroides</i>)<br />
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Round-lobed Hepatica (<i>Anemone americana</i>)<br />
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Trout Lily (<i>Erythronium americanum</i>)<br />
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Off to work!<br />
KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-60504289093573156382013-05-05T20:56:00.002-04:002013-05-05T20:56:52.799-04:00Spring WildflowersI've been out taking pictures, I swear! Here's a Red Trillium to prove it:<br />
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I added a whole bunch of photos to the sort pile today, so hopefully there will be more coming down the pipe shortly! <br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-8182527040350399532013-03-26T20:57:00.002-04:002013-03-26T20:57:51.156-04:00Long Lost PhotosSorting and editing photos is perhaps the most tedious task there is, and as I photographer I find that unfortunate. I have been having some difficulty getting motivated on that front recently, and really haven't touched a photo all winter. The "to sort" pile has been building as always (albeit slowly because of the winter season) and finally I got so tired of it that I actually did some work!<br />
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Rather than start with photos from last fall, I figured I'd start recent and work back. I didn't take a lot of photos on my recent trip to Florida (it was dominated by conference activities) but I did manage a few. Here are 3 randoms:<br />
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Snowy Egret (<i>Egretta thula</i>)<br />
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Willet (<i>Tringa semipalmata</i>)<br />
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Mangrove Skipper (<i>Phocides pigmalion</i>)<br />
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That's all for now, hopefully my momentum keeps up!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-4775578080696549322013-03-24T16:25:00.000-04:002013-03-24T16:25:36.114-04:00Spring is on the way! Slowly...Hello!<br />
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I have once again been blog-absent for a long time...It has been a busy little while, and late winter is definitely my least favourite time for photography. But I'm back now, and the photography (and blogging) season is on the way!<br />
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First some good news - I had a photo published in the spring issue of <a href="http://onnaturemagazine.com/" target="_blank">ON Nature Magazine</a>! Check out the Spring Peeper on page 11, and be sure to read the article (James is an awesome guy and great herper).<br />
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This article got me thinking about spring, as amphibian breeding will be starting up in the next couple of weeks. This is often my first pursuit of the year, and I'm excited to head out after dark for a wade around in the swamp! Keep a keen ear for those peeping Spring Peepers, croaking Northern Leopard Frogs and quacking Wood Frogs, and head down to the local pond or ditch to check them out (watch where you step!). If you're feeling sciencey, be sure to participate in the <a href="http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/species/backyard_frog_survey.php" target="_blank">Backyard Frog Survey</a> like James suggests!<br />
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In the meantime, here are some photos to tide you over and get you excited for spring!<br />
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Spring Peeper (<i>Pseudacris crucifer</i>)<br />
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Northern Leopard Frog (<i>Lithobates pipiens</i>)<br />
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Wood Frog (<i>Lithobates sylvaticus</i>)<br />
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Grey Treefrog (<i>Hyla versicolor</i>)<br />
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Blatant re-use of old photos because I have no new material? Yes please!<br />
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Think frogs!<br />
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KyleKyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-29964235726211006942013-02-10T11:54:00.001-05:002013-02-10T11:54:06.735-05:00Happy Year of the Snake!Well it is officially the first day of the Chinese new year, and the beginning of the Year of the Snake! Although they don't always get the respect they so deserve, these misunderstood and oft-maligned creatures are impossible to hate if you take the time to get to know them. I have been fascinated with them since I was a child, and continue to love them in adulthood. Learn a bit about snakes in this new year, you won't be sorry!<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-90635718888654623612013-01-18T21:37:00.000-05:002013-01-21T21:19:04.217-05:00Weekend Owling!I have just arrived in Kingston, and am prepared for two days of owl photography outings on Amherst Island with <a href="http://www.naturatoursinc.com/Amherst-Island-Owls-and-Photography" target="_blank">Natura Tours Inc</a>. Fingers crossed for some good birds and good shots!<br />
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In order to increase my chances while on the island, I decided it was finally time to try a service I've been eyeing for a while: <a href="http://www.lensrentalscanada.com/" target="_blank">Lens Rentals Canada</a>. Yesterday I received my rental lens, the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L. I've been wanting a crack at this lens for a while as it may be the hole into which I pour my next available $1700, so I thought this would be a great try-before-you-buy. <br />
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I'm off to bed so that I'm well rested tomorrow, but I will be sure to post next week with any winning photos!<br />
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Kyle<br />
<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060643497398406501.post-19025648019655190582013-01-05T16:06:00.000-05:002013-01-05T16:08:16.020-05:00Presentation This WeekIt has been a busy bird-count (and holiday) season, so I haven't had much time to edit photos or post to the blog recently. All told I have done 3 Christmas Bird Counts, one Christmas Bird Count for Kids and the Guelph Arboretum Winter Bird Count. Counting birds is just so much fun! Highlights of the counts were as follows:<br />
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-one Common Raven on the Port Hope count (this was a very slow day, so highlights were hard to come by!)<br />
-two Iceland Gulls on the Guelph count (both gorgeous adults)<br />
-one Merlin on the Guelph CBC4Kids (mostly notable because the participants got excellent looks!)<br />
-one Great Black Back x Herring Gull hybrid on the CBC4Kids (this was less exciting for the children)<br />
-one Ring-necked Pheasant on the Rice Lake Plains count (almost certainly a game-farm escapee, but still cool!)<br />
-one Brown Thrasher and one Barred Owl on the Arb Winter Bird Count (thrasher in winter...WEIRD!)<br />
-good numbers of Common Redpolls and Bohemian Waxwings all round<br />
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If you didn't count this year, be sure to do it next year - even a slow day of bird-counting is tons of fun!<br />
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On a more tropical note, I will be delivering my Madagascar presentation this coming Thursday for the <a href="http://www.guelphfieldnaturalists.org/" target="_blank">Guelph Field Naturalists</a>. The meeting is at 7:30 at the Arboretum Centre and it is open to the public, so come on by! Here are a couple of teasers:<br />
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Perinet Chameleon (<i>Calumma gastrotaenia</i>)<br />
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Unnamed Frog (<i>Platypelis barbouri</i>)<br />
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Hope to see you there!<br />
Kyle<br />
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<br />Kyle Hornerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03838306680117798737noreply@blogger.com3