Algonquin Weekend

I had the good fortune to merit an invitation to the Camp Arowhon Nature Weekend  last weekend, and had a blast!  Arowhon is nestled neatly into Algonquin Park, which is always an exciting place to spend some time.  Spent much of the time leading walks and socializing, but I did manage to grab a few photos here and there.

Algonquin Park - Teepee Lake morning

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipter striatus)

Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis)

Spruce Grouse was an awesome surprise, as although I have seen it in Newfoundland, I have tried for this bird in Ontario many times without success!  Always nice to conquer a longtime nemesis.

Kyle

Scenery?

So if you follow the blog at all, you know that I rarely shoot scenics.  I guess my attention is always grabbed by things that move, and the scenery tends to escape me.  I frequently regret this as I attempt to assemble a presentation or slideshow, and have only photos of the animals and not the surroundings.

Occasionally though, I remember to shoot the big stuff.  Recently I decided to have a go at editing a few scenics that were hidden away in sneaky folders.  Here's a few favourites:

Cypress Forest in Illinois

Cypress Forest - a different take!

Twisty Road in Phoenix, Arizona

Betty's Bay (where the penguins are), South Africa

Ruins in the Tankwa Karoo, South Africa

Maybe not my calling in life, but fun to play around with nonetheless!
Kyle

First South Africa Photos

Hello!

After a week in the Capetown area, I finally have some internet access and can get some photos up!  It has been an interesting and whirlwind journey around the area, and I've seen lots of amazing things!  I've just had time to get a few photos together, and they're all quick selections hastily edited, so be kind!

Some scenery typical of the Western Cape:

Cape Scenery

One of our first stops was Betty's Bay, the site of an African Penguin colony!

African or Jackass Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

Upon arriving at Table Mountain National Park, we were treated to a troop of baboons ripping the mirror off a truck in the parking lot.  The occupant of the truck - sleeping at the time - was surprisingly unperturbed.  It was a work truck after all...

Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus)

While on the mammal train, we picked up some zebras near the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra)

In West Coast National Park, Bryna spotted the snake of the trip!  Not an award-winning photo, but what an animal!

Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)

And finally a bird with fewer than 5000 individuals in the worldwide population!

African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini)

Headed out pelagic-birding tomorrow, then up to Kruger and the surrounding area for the next few weeks!  Will update when possible!

:)
Kyle

Lightning!

Excellent storm last night!  Since I have nothing better to do, I spent some time leaning out my back door with my camera.  Managed to snag a couple of lightning shots.  Not the greatest backdrop for lightning photography, but fun nonetheness!

Cloud to Ground Lightning

Cloud to Cloud Lightning

Cheers!
Kyle

The Final Leg

Hello!

I am in the last motel room in a while so figured I'd take advantage of the free WiFi and upload some more photos. This morning was spent testing the peak performance of a '95 Jeep Cherokee through the mountain passes of central Arizona (and overtaking a late model Camaro in the twisties no less...sucker). I experienced sun, cloud, rain, sleet, snow and ice pellets all within an hour or two, and passed though a variety of desert types. I did snap a few photos along the way, none stellar but they do give an idea of the landscape. Southwest of Flagstaff I passed through the Red Rock region of the state, adorned with (obviously) pinkish-red rock outcroppings as far as the eye can see.

Red Rock region, Arizona

Down off that mountain and up the next, the desert becomes much more shrubby and even, and the rock becomes grayer, especially when it rains.

Montane Desert in Rain

I stopped at a rest stop just north of Phoenix to look for birds. Did see Lesser Goldfinch and Vermillion Flycatcher (a real highlight for me, and a shining beacon for all those that have ever struggled with flycatcher identification), but no pics. Speaking of beacons though, I did see this wonderful sign:

My Favourite Sign

























Sadly, I did not see any of these lovely creatures (not that I expected to), but there was a glimmer of hope in the form of this little fellow. Photo sucks (was not expecting to see him), but good enough for ID.

Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) - cropped
















In the afternoon, I spent a while trying to accomplish some necessary shopping in Phoenix (a far larger city than I had imagined), and set out for Blythe, CA. I stopped to take one quick shot of the real desert (Saguaro cacti and all).

West of Phoenix, Arizona

























Anyway, I will be reporting for work tomorrow and not sure when I'll be able to post again. I will upload more when I get a chance!

Kyle

Grand Canyon

Hello!

So this will be my first post on the blog. I have no idea if I will be able to update this regularly or not, but I will give it a shot. I arrived in Arizona yesterday after 3 days and 4000 kilometers, sore and tired. I parked the Jeep at a campsite in Grand Canyon National Park (which I got away without paying for), and crashed in the back, with the alarm set for sunrise. I awoke early and stationed myself at a spot on the rim to wait for the sun. Here are a few of the results:

Grand Canyon at Sunrise

Grand Canyon at Sunrise

I followed up the morning photography session with a 15 km hike into and out of the canyon, which was very cool but with limited shooting opportunities. I came out of it very sore and tired, and somewhat happy with the photo below:

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)

My afternoon was spent on a crazy chase for California Condors, following the advice of an old man I met in the park. Though he seemed to know what he was talking about, I was quite unsuccessful and am now in a Motel6 in Flagstaff, having a relaxing night in a real bed. The plan for tomorrow is a leisurely drive down towards the study site, and reporting to the house the following day. That's all for now, I will try to post when I can!

Kyle