Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Madagascar Presentation

Had an awesome time at last week's visit to the Ingersoll District Nature Club, so I thought I'd post a few photos from the presentation.  Here are some of my favourites:

Have you ever seen such an impressive butt-snorkel?

Giant Water Bug (Family: Belostomatidae)















We found this impressive water bug in a puddle, and fished him out for a closer look.  We have these creatures here in Canada (sometimes known as toe-biters or electric light bugs), but this one was exceptional in two ways: his raptorial arms are especially large compared to his body size, and he has a butt-snorkel longer than his entire body.  Here it is in use:

Giant Water Bug (Family: Belostomatidae)















We had the good fortune to find quite a few chameleons, but this one is probably my favourite.  Mostly because of the name.

Big-nosed Chameleon (Calumma nasutum)















One of the coolest birds in Mad is probably the Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher.  He is only about the size of the sparrow, lives in the dense forest and as our guide told us in broken English "fishes for lizards."

Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher (Ceyx madagascariensis)















And lastly, one of the most incredible spiders in the world.

Net-casting Spider (Family: Deinopidae)















To understand just how amazing this creature is, watch this video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18990161.  Have you every seen anything so freakin cool???

That's all for now!
Kyle

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Presentation next weekend!

I am getting excited for my presentation next weekend at the Ingersoll District Nature Club!  The topic has been chosen and it will be "An Island Apart: The Stunning and Bizarre Wildlife of Madagascar."  This is a brand-new presentation, and I can't wait to do it!  For details, visit www.ingersollnature.ca.

I have made some updates to the "Upcoming Presentations" tab (at the top of this page) to reflect some recent changes and additions.  And of course, I always post updates on my Facebook page, and now my Twitter account (I'm so connected)!

Here's as sneak peek from the Mad presentation - I think I'll use it as the cover photo:

Jewel Chameleon (Furcifer lateralis)















:)
Kyle

Friday, November 9, 2012

Photo Editing - Behind the screens?

Hello!

So I was doing some re-sorting and editing some old photos today, and found myself working on some Barred Owl shots from a couple of years ago.  Usually I try to keep my editing to a minimum - I'd really rather nail the shot in-camera than spend hours at the computer - but things don't always go as planned, and I found myself performing an unusually large number of adjustments to these photos.

Although I'm not terribly fond of Photoshopping, I often like to open the original and edited photos side-by-side and see the difference a bit of touching up can make.  I am by no means a Photoshop expert, but I thought it might be fun to post some comparisons just for interest's sake.  So here they are!

The following three shots are of Barred Owls (Strix varia) at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in 2009.  Originals on the left, edits on the right.



















The main correction applied to these photos is the digital removal of a colour cast.  A colour cast is sort of what it sounds like - a wash of incorrect colour, which may be caused by odd lighting conditions or incorrect camera settings (or filters, I suppose, if the photographer was seeking such an effect).  In this case it was a slip-up in the white-balance setting, which left all the photos with a blue-green hue.  Many post-processing programs can correct this by having the user re-define white (or black) and calibrating the image from there.  After that it's just a bit of brightening, contrast and saturation adjustment, sharpening and cropping as desired.  Quick and dirty!

:)
Kyle

Monday, November 5, 2012

Ontario big

In case you've missed all the buzz, Josh Vandermeulen just broke the record for an Ontario big year!  This is an attempt to see as many species of bird in Ontario as possible in one calendar year.  The existing record was 338, and Josh just crashed through on a crazy trip to Netitishi Point in northern Ontario.  Currently sitting at 342 and almost 2 months to go - every additional species now is incredibly difficult, but there are still possibilities!

To see what Josh is up to, visit www.joshvandermeulen.blogspot.ca.

Can't help but be a little jealous...

Kyle

Friday, November 2, 2012

A frightening leap...

After a few recent conversations with friends about the terrifying thing that is Twitter, I decided to take the leap and jump on-board!  I'm still not exactly sure what Twitter is for, but somehow I was convinced that it was a good idea.  I hope I don't regret it!

If you, too are a Twitterer, you may now find me in the Twitterverse at www.twitter.com/KHornerNature.  Hope to see you there!

Kyle

And for today's photo-fix, here's a Jerusalem Cricket from South Africa.  What a looker!

Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopelmatus sp.)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The winter approaches

It seems that every year around this time, my photography season begins to wind down.  Everything is turning brown and the reptiles, amphibians and bugs are hibernating, or generally escaping the impending cold.  It always leaves me feeling a bit listless...

At any rate, it does give me a bit of time to sort through the looming pile of photos that I never had time to edit in the summer.  Today, it's a few miscellaneous South Africa photos from the giant stack.  Here they are!

First, a really exciting shot for me.  I had always wanted to see a monitor in the wild, and we were fortunate enough to find a handful!  The Nile Monitor does not disappoint - big, powerful and gorgeous.  Everything I expect a monitor to be!

Nile Monitor (Veranus niloticus)















Secondly, the most hideous creature in all of Africa - the Tsessebe!  Evolution has kindly shaped this animal into something too ugly to eat, or at least that is the only explanation I can imagine for it.  Don't be fooled, it's not sick or emaciated, it's just a Tsessebe.

Tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus)















And lastly, an insect (what's a blog post without bugs?).  Since many of the parks in South Africa require you to stay in your car (and with good reason), I didn't get the opportunity to shoot many insects.  I can only imagine that the country is full of fascinating, six-legged critters, and I wish I had the opportunity to see more of them!

Locusts (unknown species)















That's all for now!
Kyle

Monday, October 1, 2012

Toad Hunt

Decided yesterday to head out on a search for a species I have never photographed: the ever-so-elusive Fowler's Toad!  A day of searching produced a single toad, but I can't fault him for cooperativeness.

Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)















These endangered toads differ from the garden-variety American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus) in several minor and frustrating ways, including the shape of the ridges on their heads and the number of warts in a cluster.  Mostly though, they differ in their habitat preferences: Fowler's only like sandy beaches and dunes!

Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)















Lots of dragonflies still passing through on their migration south.  We don't have too many migratory dragonflies, and the most familiar is probably the giant Green Darner (Anax junius).  For me though, it's all about the saddlebags.

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)















As a little bonus for my time spent on the hunt, I came across the prettiest pillbug I've ever seen in Ontario!  These little crustaceans (related to the sowbugs or potato bugs you have in your garden) protect themselves by curling into a ball (or pill) when threatened.  I managed a series of photos that I quite liked.

Pillbug (unknown species, Order: Isopoda)















Pillbug (unknown species)















Pillbug (unknown species)















Pillbug (unknown species)















That's all for now!
Kyle

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Miscellaneous Bugs

Delved into the growing sort pile today for a handful of miscellaneous bugs from the summer.  Without much ado, here they are:

First, one of my favourite (but one of the most common) spiders of southern Ontario.  Perhaps also the most aptly named:

Black-and-yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)















Turns out this post is going to have an unintended 'black and yellow' theme.  This beetle is doing his best to mimic a wasp (not terribly convincing I'd say).  Not sure of the exact species on this one:

Long-horned Beetle (Family: Cerambycidae)





















Lastly, one of the first butterflies seen in the spring, and one of the last seen in the fall - the black-and-yellowish:

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)















Ok, so it's more brown and off-white, but what can you do.  Hopefully more soon, as the pile is getting scary!

Kyle

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

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


Saturday, September 1, 2012

Website Updates

Have been working on some updates to the website and they are finally online - specifically in the "Photography" section.  Hopefully I have simplified things and made the section a bit more approachable.  Gone is my never-completed attempt at a full online photo index (a pipe-dream, sadly) and in its place are a few user-friendly galleries.  I have also added a current Stock List, which I will try my best to keep up-to-date.  You may even find a few photos that have never been online before, like this one (I think)!

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)















A few more projects in the works, hopefully details soon!
Kyle

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Upcoming Presentations

Hello!

I am excited to be doing presentations for a handful of naturalists' clubs this fall and winter!  I have put up a list of my upcoming presentations on a separate page of the blog (see tabs at the top, or just go here).  If you've never been to a naturalists' club meeting, maybe it's about time you start!

:)
Kyle


Sunday, August 12, 2012

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

Monday, July 2, 2012

Bugs and Butterflies

Here are two miscellaneous shots from the sort pile.  Both involve some cool creature interaction!

First, two milkweed bugs in love (so to speak)

Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii)















Second, some puddling swallowtails.  This spectacular behaviour in butterflies allows them to acquire salts and minerals that they cannot get in their nectar diet.  (incidentally, this photo also includes bug sex - look towards the back!)

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis)















That's all for now!
Kyle

Friday, June 29, 2012

Ignatius Butterflies

Had the day off today, and headed out to the Ignatius property north of Guelph in the hopes of adding a few butterflies to my library.  I was in luck, and managed to snag 4 species that I hadn't shot before!  The farmed area of the property offers some opportunities at species not always seen in the rest of the city.  Here are a few of the shots:

To start, one of my very favourite butterfly species - a Buckeye.  This is primarily a southern species, and Guelph is getting towards the northern extent of their range.  Look at those eyespots!

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)















The next species is one that I almost never see in the area.  Maybe I'm not looking hard enough!

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)















I have seen a bit of an influx of Painted Ladies recently so I was really hoping to nail one down.  No American Ladies at the moment, but I'm checking!

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)















The last two species are both small butterflies that I see often, but that I often pass by and never think to settle down and photograph.

Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)















Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)















That's all for now - go out and see some butterflies!

Kyle

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Arboretum fun

Took a stroll at the Guelph Arboretum the other day (one of my favourite local spots) and had some luck with a few unexpected species.  The first was a nesting snapper - definitely a new series of photographs for me.  Very cool!

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)















Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)















Although my primary goal for the day was dragonflies, the butterflies ended up being more cooperative.  Lots of species around - here are three.

Common Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia)















Northern Crescent (Phycoides cocyta)















White Admiral (Limenitis arthemis)















After the Arb I moved over for a stroll along the Eramosa River, and my eagle-eyed friend Jenn spotted this awesome crab spider with prey.  Thanks for the stellar spot and plant wrangling!

Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia)















That's all for now!
Kyle

Monday, May 28, 2012

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

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Reptiles! (mostly)

Finally back to the blog!  Starting a new job and moving in to a new apartment have proven hectic, and I have been away from the editing table for some time.  Somehow the computer stuff always gets put off.  Adding to the delay, I have spent the last few weekends looking for reptiles and birds in some of my favourite parts of the province.  The results have been great!  Here are a few photos from these recent excursions...

Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) - southwestern Ontario





















Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - southwestern Ontario















Eastern Fox Snake - (Pantherophis gloydi) - southwestern Ontario















Raccoon (Procyon lotor) - southwestern Ontario















Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis gloydi) - Georgian Bay area















Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) - Georgian Bay area















Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) - Georgian Bay area















More to come (hopefully)!
Kyle