Hello!
So in my winter down-time with little photography action, I decided to write a short article for Nature Images Online Magazine, a blog run by Ontario photographer Ray Barlow. If you have 5 minutes with nothing to do, the article can be viewed here:
http://photographersonlinemagazine.blogspot.com/
:)
Kyle
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wintertime!
Hello!
Oh the woes of a macro photographer in winter. Where have all the little critters gone? Hibernation, thou hast robbed me of my subjects. How cruel.
Photography always seems to be a bit slow in the winter, which leaves me a little short on blog updates. Perhaps I will have to expand my horizons.
On the positive side, winter birds are in! Did a couple of Christmas Bird Counts over the weekend and had some success. Highlights include 1 Northern Goshawk, 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 3 Eastern Bluebirds, 70 Wild Turkeys, and 665 Bohemian Waxwings. It's like my own little version of the 12 days of Christmas. I never was very good at counting...
On another positive note, I'm headed to Cuba early in the new year. That should keep my itchy trigger finger happy for a little while. More to come on that later.
Happy Holidays!
Kyle
Oh the woes of a macro photographer in winter. Where have all the little critters gone? Hibernation, thou hast robbed me of my subjects. How cruel.
Photography always seems to be a bit slow in the winter, which leaves me a little short on blog updates. Perhaps I will have to expand my horizons.
On the positive side, winter birds are in! Did a couple of Christmas Bird Counts over the weekend and had some success. Highlights include 1 Northern Goshawk, 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 3 Eastern Bluebirds, 70 Wild Turkeys, and 665 Bohemian Waxwings. It's like my own little version of the 12 days of Christmas. I never was very good at counting...
On another positive note, I'm headed to Cuba early in the new year. That should keep my itchy trigger finger happy for a little while. More to come on that later.
Happy Holidays!
Kyle
Monday, December 6, 2010
Last Illinois Post (Finally)
Hello!
Have I mentioned that I have calendars for sale? Here's a button you can click to by one (or seven):
You may recall that once upon a time I promised a final post from Illinois. It sure has been a while. But at long last I have gotten around to editing those miscellaneous images that remained. Most are inverts, but there is a surprise guest at the end. Here goes.
To begin, an Eastern Comma showing the namesake marking on the hindwing:
Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
Continuing on the butterfly theme, a Red-spotted Purple (the name makes no sense to me either...):
Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
I found this cool grub under a log! Seems to be some sort of beetle larva, but that's as far as I can guess. It was big though!
Grub (Grubicus giganticus)*
*Please note this latin name may be a fake
Now on to one of my favourite subjects, spiders. Some people seem to be under the mistaken impression that spiders are ugly. I don't know where these people are getting their information, but they have obviously never met a jumping spider. I dare you to look into that little face and not think adorable.
Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae)
Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae)
As we were taking down the tents at the end of the weekend, we found this cool wasp that had come to join us. It was huge!
Wasp
Sometimes you think the trip is winding down, and mother nature throws you one more little surprise. We got lost while driving to our last stop, and while trying to find our way we road-cruised this Eastern Box Turtle! A life-herp for me, and one I was very excited to see. Never did come out of its shell, but that's a box turtle for you!
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)
Well, the Illinois photos are all wrapped up. What'll I do now....?
Kyle
Have I mentioned that I have calendars for sale? Here's a button you can click to by one (or seven):
You may recall that once upon a time I promised a final post from Illinois. It sure has been a while. But at long last I have gotten around to editing those miscellaneous images that remained. Most are inverts, but there is a surprise guest at the end. Here goes.
To begin, an Eastern Comma showing the namesake marking on the hindwing:
Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
Continuing on the butterfly theme, a Red-spotted Purple (the name makes no sense to me either...):
Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis)
I found this cool grub under a log! Seems to be some sort of beetle larva, but that's as far as I can guess. It was big though!
Grub (Grubicus giganticus)*
*Please note this latin name may be a fake
Now on to one of my favourite subjects, spiders. Some people seem to be under the mistaken impression that spiders are ugly. I don't know where these people are getting their information, but they have obviously never met a jumping spider. I dare you to look into that little face and not think adorable.
Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae)
Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae)
As we were taking down the tents at the end of the weekend, we found this cool wasp that had come to join us. It was huge!
Wasp
Sometimes you think the trip is winding down, and mother nature throws you one more little surprise. We got lost while driving to our last stop, and while trying to find our way we road-cruised this Eastern Box Turtle! A life-herp for me, and one I was very excited to see. Never did come out of its shell, but that's a box turtle for you!
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)
Well, the Illinois photos are all wrapped up. What'll I do now....?
Kyle
Friday, December 3, 2010
New Yard Bird
Hello!
So I have a terrible yard for birds. It's a sad fact, but it's true. And it makes yard-listing a distinct challenge. Which is why today I was excited to see this little fellow go whipping though. He paused in a nearby tree just long enough for me to lean out the door and take a few shabby photos.
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Go ahead, tell me it's a sharpie. I dare you...
:)
Kyle
So I have a terrible yard for birds. It's a sad fact, but it's true. And it makes yard-listing a distinct challenge. Which is why today I was excited to see this little fellow go whipping though. He paused in a nearby tree just long enough for me to lean out the door and take a few shabby photos.
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Go ahead, tell me it's a sharpie. I dare you...
:)
Kyle
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Maintenance
Hello!
Taking care of a little housecleaning so the site will be down for an hour or so this afternoon. Never fear though, it will return shortly!
Kyle
Taking care of a little housecleaning so the site will be down for an hour or so this afternoon. Never fear though, it will return shortly!
Kyle
Website Update
Hello again!
So I just downloaded the most recent version of Internet Explorer, and the site displays fine! I have no idea why it doesn't render properly in the old version, but I suspect that my general ignorance and incompetence in web design has something to do with it.
If you find any typos, broken links or other errors, let me know!
Kyle
So I just downloaded the most recent version of Internet Explorer, and the site displays fine! I have no idea why it doesn't render properly in the old version, but I suspect that my general ignorance and incompetence in web design has something to do with it.
If you find any typos, broken links or other errors, let me know!
Kyle
Big News!
Hello!
So you may recall that a little while ago (ok, July) I alluded to some major development on the horizon. Well, naturally I got way-laid, delayed and all kind of distracted, and things moved much more slowly than anticipated. Nonetheless, my project is finally coming to fruition. I have a new website!
www.kylehorner.com
This is my first time designing a website, so there are bound to be some kinks. Let me know when you find them! I am currently having a little trouble with the way the site appears in Internet Explorer...it looks great in Chrome, and I can't figure out why the difference! It is fully functional, it just looks crappy. It's rather frustrating, but it's late and I don't care enough to try to fix it presently. If you're a Firefox user (or use any other browser), report back to me and let me know how it looks!
Anyway, I will be updating and tweaking gradually, so hopefully I'll get all the bugs worked out. Nonetheless, it'll do for now!
Cheers!
Kyle
So you may recall that a little while ago (ok, July) I alluded to some major development on the horizon. Well, naturally I got way-laid, delayed and all kind of distracted, and things moved much more slowly than anticipated. Nonetheless, my project is finally coming to fruition. I have a new website!
www.kylehorner.com
This is my first time designing a website, so there are bound to be some kinks. Let me know when you find them! I am currently having a little trouble with the way the site appears in Internet Explorer...it looks great in Chrome, and I can't figure out why the difference! It is fully functional, it just looks crappy. It's rather frustrating, but it's late and I don't care enough to try to fix it presently. If you're a Firefox user (or use any other browser), report back to me and let me know how it looks!
Anyway, I will be updating and tweaking gradually, so hopefully I'll get all the bugs worked out. Nonetheless, it'll do for now!
Cheers!
Kyle
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Amphibians!
Hello!
Still haven't bought a calendar? Let me give you the link:
Now that that's out of the way, here are some amphibian photos from the Illinois trip! It was a much drier year than last, and the amphibian abundance was substantially lower. There were still some good ones around though, it just took at bit more looking to find them. Here they are!
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
Central Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis)
Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca)
Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca)
Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca)
Just one more Illinois upload to go. Then I guess I'll have to take some new photos...what am I going to do??
:)
Kyle
Still haven't bought a calendar? Let me give you the link:
Now that that's out of the way, here are some amphibian photos from the Illinois trip! It was a much drier year than last, and the amphibian abundance was substantially lower. There were still some good ones around though, it just took at bit more looking to find them. Here they are!
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga)
Central Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis)
Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca)
Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca)
Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca)
Just one more Illinois upload to go. Then I guess I'll have to take some new photos...what am I going to do??
:)
Kyle
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Correction!
Hello!
Well, it's happened again - I screwed up. Rare, I know, but it does occur. All previously posted photos of Eastern Cottonmouths are in fact Western Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma). Please forgive me.
Thank you to an astute observer (you know who you are!) for that correction.
Also, buy a calendar!! Never mind subliminal advertising, it's straight to the super-liminal for me! See previous post for details.
Kyle
Well, it's happened again - I screwed up. Rare, I know, but it does occur. All previously posted photos of Eastern Cottonmouths are in fact Western Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma). Please forgive me.
Thank you to an astute observer (you know who you are!) for that correction.
Also, buy a calendar!! Never mind subliminal advertising, it's straight to the super-liminal for me! See previous post for details.
Kyle
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Calendars!!
Hello!
The new year is fast approaching, and 2010 is coming to an end. But how will you keep track of all of your important dates and appointments when 2011 arrives?? Have I got the solution for you!
This shiny calendar comes complete with all 12 months expected to occur in the coming year. For each month, there is a pretty picture to keep you amused whilst you record birthdays and work schedules. Mount one anywhere: the kitchen, the bedroom, the garage, the office, the cottage, your forehead...may as well just buy 6 and do it all! It makes a great gift for people that you care about a little bit, but not enough to spend more than $20 on. You could give it to your mother-in-law, a co-worker, or even your third cousin twice-removed.
To purchase this award-winning* calendar, or to see more information including a preview of the images inside, follow the link below. Or you can simply harass me in person if you happen to be someone who has regular access to me.
*Has not actually won any awards
Don't forget, people hate people who don't bring gifts. Merry Christmas (or is it?).
Kyle
The new year is fast approaching, and 2010 is coming to an end. But how will you keep track of all of your important dates and appointments when 2011 arrives?? Have I got the solution for you!
This shiny calendar comes complete with all 12 months expected to occur in the coming year. For each month, there is a pretty picture to keep you amused whilst you record birthdays and work schedules. Mount one anywhere: the kitchen, the bedroom, the garage, the office, the cottage, your forehead...may as well just buy 6 and do it all! It makes a great gift for people that you care about a little bit, but not enough to spend more than $20 on. You could give it to your mother-in-law, a co-worker, or even your third cousin twice-removed.
To purchase this award-winning* calendar, or to see more information including a preview of the images inside, follow the link below. Or you can simply harass me in person if you happen to be someone who has regular access to me.
*Has not actually won any awards
Don't forget, people hate people who don't bring gifts. Merry Christmas (or is it?).
Kyle
Sunday, October 24, 2010
More Snakes!
Hello!
The editing continues. Pit-vipers were not the only snakes in Illinois, and there are photos to prove it! Here are some other snake-shots from the trip, in no particular order:
Mississippi Green Water Snake (Nerodia cyclopion)
Yellowbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster)
Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
Western Mud Snake (Farancia abacura reinwardtii)
Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)
Western Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae elegans)
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
The amphibians are coming!!!
Stay tuned,
Kyle
The editing continues. Pit-vipers were not the only snakes in Illinois, and there are photos to prove it! Here are some other snake-shots from the trip, in no particular order:
Mississippi Green Water Snake (Nerodia cyclopion)
Yellowbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster)
Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
Western Mud Snake (Farancia abacura reinwardtii)
Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)
Western Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae elegans)
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus)
The amphibians are coming!!!
Stay tuned,
Kyle
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Pit-Vipers
Hello!
I have finally gotten to sorting and editing some Illinois photos. Because of the large number I will have to post them in installments. Today's installment - Pit-vipers! We saw three species on this trip, which was especially exciting for me. I love these animals, and it was an amazing opportunity to see and photograph some that I had never seen before.
The most common snake on the entire trip was undoubtedly the Eastern Cottonmouth. These guys were everywhere - you had to be careful where you stepped! Here's a few shots:
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
And the same snake displaying the namesake "cottonmouth":
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
A closeup of the inside of the mouth on a different animal. Look at those fangs!
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
So cute when they're small! Here's a couple of shots of a baby we found on the road:
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
One afternoon we stopped to have a look at a Cottonmouth that was basking at the foot of some rocky bluffs, and to our surprise there was a Copperhead sitting right next to it! This was a long sought-after species for many of us (including me) and was a very exciting sighting. Unfortunately it took off down a hole before we could snap any photos.
As luck would have it, the next day we were called to the exact same spot by a stranger who had found the Copperhead basking out in the open. It was very obliging, and sat still while the shutters clicked. I posted one shot last week - here are several more:
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Camouflage much?
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Look at that pretty face!
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
To complete the trifecta, one member of our group spotted a neonate Timber Rattlesnake crossing the road just after dusk. Another life-species for me, and a beautiful snake too!
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Well that's all for now. Keep your eyes peeled for installment #2, hopefully I'll get it up soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
I have finally gotten to sorting and editing some Illinois photos. Because of the large number I will have to post them in installments. Today's installment - Pit-vipers! We saw three species on this trip, which was especially exciting for me. I love these animals, and it was an amazing opportunity to see and photograph some that I had never seen before.
The most common snake on the entire trip was undoubtedly the Eastern Cottonmouth. These guys were everywhere - you had to be careful where you stepped! Here's a few shots:
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
And the same snake displaying the namesake "cottonmouth":
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
A closeup of the inside of the mouth on a different animal. Look at those fangs!
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
So cute when they're small! Here's a couple of shots of a baby we found on the road:
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)
One afternoon we stopped to have a look at a Cottonmouth that was basking at the foot of some rocky bluffs, and to our surprise there was a Copperhead sitting right next to it! This was a long sought-after species for many of us (including me) and was a very exciting sighting. Unfortunately it took off down a hole before we could snap any photos.
As luck would have it, the next day we were called to the exact same spot by a stranger who had found the Copperhead basking out in the open. It was very obliging, and sat still while the shutters clicked. I posted one shot last week - here are several more:
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Camouflage much?
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Look at that pretty face!
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
To complete the trifecta, one member of our group spotted a neonate Timber Rattlesnake crossing the road just after dusk. Another life-species for me, and a beautiful snake too!
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Well that's all for now. Keep your eyes peeled for installment #2, hopefully I'll get it up soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Illinois!
Hello!
Just got back from a trip to Illinois with some good friends (and lovely strangers!). A huge thanks to our fantastic leader Steve for a great trip!!
I've got tons of photos to sort and edit, so there should be some updates on the horizon. In the meantime, here's a primer:
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
And I can die happy.
Kyle
Just got back from a trip to Illinois with some good friends (and lovely strangers!). A huge thanks to our fantastic leader Steve for a great trip!!
I've got tons of photos to sort and edit, so there should be some updates on the horizon. In the meantime, here's a primer:
Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)
And I can die happy.
Kyle
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Backlog
Hello!
So I have been staring down a backlog of unsorted photos from the last little while. Managed to get a bit of sorting done recently, but still lots to do! In the meantime, here are a couple of images I uncovered.
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
Happy October!
Kyle
So I have been staring down a backlog of unsorted photos from the last little while. Managed to get a bit of sorting done recently, but still lots to do! In the meantime, here are a couple of images I uncovered.
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)
Happy October!
Kyle
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wild Ontario!
Hello!
Big news today! For those who don't know, I am currently working for an education program based at the University of Guelph. Previously known both as the Wild Bird Clinic and WEEP (Wildlife Education and Environmental Programs), we finally have a new name and look. You can check out the Wild Ontario program at its new website, which I half built (so proud). Have a look!
www.ourwildontario.ca
Cheers!
Kyle
Big news today! For those who don't know, I am currently working for an education program based at the University of Guelph. Previously known both as the Wild Bird Clinic and WEEP (Wildlife Education and Environmental Programs), we finally have a new name and look. You can check out the Wild Ontario program at its new website, which I half built (so proud). Have a look!
www.ourwildontario.ca
Cheers!
Kyle
Sunday, September 5, 2010
What's going on?
Hello!
Two updates in the same week?? You must think you've fallen down a rabbit hole. Most significantly, this means I've actually been outdoors twice this week! Excellent.
Went birding today, and found some other cool stuff along the way. Couldn't keep the macro lens off for long, but did manage to shoot at least one bird. Everyone's favourite:
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
I really was looking for birds when I came upon this lovely Viceroy, a species which has eluded my lens several times of late.
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
I swear I was also looking for birds when I stumbled upon this Question Mark.
Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Continuing on the now-established butterfly theme, I spotted these two Eastern Tailed Blues. And yes, they are doing what you think they're doing...
Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas)
A few more bugs, just to round things out. This cool (presumably Ichneumonid) wasp:
Unknown Wasp (Ichneumonidae?)
And this awesome caterpillar. If anyone knows what it is, let me know! I thought he was a Yellow Bear at first, but now I'm not so sure...
Unknown Caterpillar
Though they may not be adequately represented in the photos, I did actually see some birds today. About 4 hours in the Hamilton area produced 13 species of waterfowl, Short-billed Dowitcher, Solitary Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Carolina Wren and lots of other common stuff. All-in-all a great day!
Cheers!
Kyle
Two updates in the same week?? You must think you've fallen down a rabbit hole. Most significantly, this means I've actually been outdoors twice this week! Excellent.
Went birding today, and found some other cool stuff along the way. Couldn't keep the macro lens off for long, but did manage to shoot at least one bird. Everyone's favourite:
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)
I really was looking for birds when I came upon this lovely Viceroy, a species which has eluded my lens several times of late.
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
I swear I was also looking for birds when I stumbled upon this Question Mark.
Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Continuing on the now-established butterfly theme, I spotted these two Eastern Tailed Blues. And yes, they are doing what you think they're doing...
Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas)
A few more bugs, just to round things out. This cool (presumably Ichneumonid) wasp:
Unknown Wasp (Ichneumonidae?)
And this awesome caterpillar. If anyone knows what it is, let me know! I thought he was a Yellow Bear at first, but now I'm not so sure...
Unknown Caterpillar
Though they may not be adequately represented in the photos, I did actually see some birds today. About 4 hours in the Hamilton area produced 13 species of waterfowl, Short-billed Dowitcher, Solitary Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Carolina Wren and lots of other common stuff. All-in-all a great day!
Cheers!
Kyle
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