Weekend Owling!

I have just arrived in Kingston, and am prepared for two days of owl photography outings on Amherst Island with Natura Tours Inc.  Fingers crossed for some good birds and good shots!

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: Lens Rentals Canada.  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.

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!

Kyle

Boreal Dragonflies

The summer certainly can fly by if you're not paying attention, and mine has been no exception of late!  Once again, I have been absent from the blog for a considerable period of time.  I have been spending some weekends at some of Ontario's lovely parks though, and have had the chance to take a few photos as well.  The sort pile is getting high, but here are a few quick edits from recent weekends:

Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) - Silent Lake Provincial Park

Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) - Silent Lake Provincial Park

And a dragonfly that I have always wanted to see because of its impressive size, cannibalistic behaviour and awesome name:

Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) - Killarney Provincial Park

In other news, I am filling in for a friend at the Guelph Arboretum this Wednesday night and doing a mini-workshop on nature photography!  The tone will be very casual and family-oriented, so come on out for a fun night of shooting.  For more details, go here: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/educationandevents/tours.shtml

I will really try to get some more shots up soon!

Kyle

Workshops!

Hello!

I am excited to announce a series of new workshops that I will be offering in conjunction with Natura Tours Inc.!  They cover birds, butterflies and dragonflies, and run from summer 2012 through winter 2013.  You can see them on my Workshops page, or directly on Natura's website.  Be sure to take a look and see if any of them interest you!

Got an exciting weekend planned and will hopefully have some photos to show for it soon!  Also I have not forgotten about Africa photos, but have been temporarily stalled :(.

Cheers!
Kyle

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

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

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

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

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

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

Damsels and Dragons Workshop - Mountsberg

Looking for something to do on July 9?  I am doing a dragonfly and damselfly workshop for Mountsberg Conservation Area (just south of Guelph, Ontario).  For more information, go here:

http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/events.cfm?itemid=3682

dSLR Photography Workshop

Know anyone who wants to learn about digital SLR photography?  Have I got the workshop for you (them)!  I am offering a dSLR beginner workshop on July 10.  Tell everyone!  For details go here:

http://www.kylehorner.com/workshops.html

:)
Kyle