New year, new (old) blog?

Hello!

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!

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:

www.kylehorner.com

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:

http://instagram.com/khornernature/

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:

http://www.eagle-eye.com/florida-birding-tour

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:

Definite Tussock Moth (Orgyia definata)

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Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris)

Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum)

Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda)

Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)

White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)


American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)


Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)


Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)

Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus)

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

Mississippi Green Water Snake (Nerodia cyclopion)

Masked Treefrog (Smilisca phaeota)

Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Fingers crossed for more to come (New Years resolutions being what they will)!

Kyle

Magnificent 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!

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!

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:

The Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) - moths have great names!

Pale Beauty (Campaea perlata) - a common sight by the porch light.

Pink-spotted Dart (Pseudohermonassa bicarnea) - I think, anyway...

Baltimore Snout (Hypena baltimoralis) - an appropriate moniker.

The Bride (Catocala neogama) - big and beautiful, enjoying some rotted fruit and beer.

In between checking for adult moths, we searched for some young guns:

Beautiful Wood-Nymph (Eudryas grata)

That's all for now!
Kyle

Website Update

I have been doing some work on the website in the last couple of days, and now have completed (for the time being) the "Butterflies and Moths" page of my image index, with a bunch of new images online.  It can be accessed here: http://www.kylehorner.com/photography/image_index.html.  Have a look if you'd like to reminisce about butterfly season!

Kyle

More Confusing Critters

Well I got back at the photos today, and it seems the ones I leave till last are the ones that are the trickiest.  This also means they take the most time and energy!  Here are two creatures that forced me to break out the field guides!

The first is a dragonfly - some sort of mosaic darner to be more specific.  After lots of reading and photo-referencing, I'm going to say it's a Shadow Darner, though I would love to be corrected if you know differently!  I do have other photos of the entire insect, if anyone fancies the challenge.  I really do need to get myself a better dragonfly field guide...

Shadow (?) Darner (Aeshna umbrosa)

The second creature of the day is a tiny moth that I can't find in any of the books I have (though as previously mentioned, my library is far from complete).  It's a good-looking creature, but I have no idea what it is!  Photographed in the Guelph Arboretum.

Unknown Moth

That's all for now!

Kyle

Random Photos

Well it has definitely been a slow fall for blog posts - I blame that on my real job and a daunting stack of unsorted photos.  I have started to sift through this aforementioned stack, and some of the results can be seen here.

On another note, I am gearing up for some time out of country - a week in the Dominican Republic with the family over Christmas, and the 2.5 month journey to southern Africa that I posted about earlier.  I am hopeful that both will deliver some excellent opportunities for good photos and stories to match.  I am long overdue for a shake-up, and can't wait to get going!

Anyway, on to the photos.  The first is an odd one that has been sitting in my "To Sort" folder for months, mostly because I'm not sure what to do with it for several reasons.  Firstly, I'm unsure of the species, though my educated guess is Sweetflag Spreadwing.  Secondly, the picture also features some mysterious white orbs (on the stem, under the damselfly), and I have no idea what they are.  I have asked a few knowledgeable folks, and they have been stumped as well.  I don't know if they are associated with the damselfly at all, or if it is simply a coincidence that they are together.  If anyone can solve this mystery, please let me know!  Also of note is the cluster of red mites attached to the underside of the spreadwing.

Sweetflag (?) Spreadwing (Lestes forcipatus)

The second shot is another that fell by the wayside because it took more than 10 seconds to identify (and I'm sometimes lazy).  One of several plain, brown butterflies that lives here in southern Ontario, the Northern Pearly-Eye.  Distinguishable - it turns out - from the others by the reduced or absent second (from the front) spot on the forewing, especially noticeable from the underside (because I know you were wondering...)

Northern Pearly-Eye (Enodia anthedon)

This next one was a surprise find and a bit of a mystery.  I was herping in Simcoe County with a couple of friends, and one of them turned over a rock and uncovered this moth.  It certainly appears to be to be a Virgin Tiger Moth, but what I can't reconcile is that the forewing pattern is distinctly pinkish-orange, instead of the usual yellow.  I haven't seen a lot of these moths, so I don't know if this is a normal variation or if it's unusual.  Alternately, it is a different but similar species of which I am unaware.  I don't own a good moth book (necessary future investment) and have not been able to figure this out.  I was able to push the forewing aside, and it did have the red hindwing pattern that I associate with Virgin Tiger Moths (though apparently I was not smart enough to document this photographically).

Virgin (?) Tiger Moth (Grammia virgo)

The last shot for today was a quick grab-shot I took while looking for snakes in Norfolk County.  It was sweltering hot, we were out in a field, and we were skunked for snakes.  This little butterfly landed in front of me and, being unsure of its identity (and knowing I had not photographed one before), I started snapping.  I got three shots before it flew away - two were blurry, so this is now my only photo of an American Copper.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Well that's it for today, but it feels good to have made a dent in the pile of photos - hopefully it'll motivate me to do more soon!  I'll also get some details up about the upcoming travel as the preparations progress!

Kyle

Butterflies!

It's a great time of year to get out and find some butterflies!  In a few hours at The Arboretum over the last two days, I have seen the following species:

Monarch
Viceroy
Red-spotted Purple
Giant Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Cabbage White
Silver-spotted Skipper
Juvenal's Duskywing
Common Wood-Nymph
Hummingbird Clearwing (not a butterfly, but I say it counts!)

If you're a lepidoptera-aficionado there's no excuse not to be out there!  Below are some photos from today and yesterday - to see others click on "see more" above each pic.

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) See more...

Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) See more...

Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) See more...

(If you've never seen a Giant Swallowtail, go to the Gosling Wildlife Gardens right now, sit in Garden #1 and wait.  Watch for something that resembles a medium-sized bird or light aircraft.)

Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) See more...

Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) See more...

Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) See more...

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) See more...

Happy lepping!

Kyle

More Butterflies!

Hello!

For reasons unimportant, I decided to celebrate today with a little photo jaunt.  It rained hard all morning and when it cleared in the afternoon, I was hopeful that the butterflies would be taking advantage of the improving weather.  They were, and I ended up with a few nice surprises.  It's a long one today folks, you might want to settle in.  Here goes:

Monarchs.  Always good.  One obligatory shot:

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

While following the Monarchs around I was pleased to spot a Silver-spotted Skipper.  Doubly pleased because it's probably the only skipper I can positively identify in the field.  What's a skipper you ask?  Exactly.

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

If you look closely at the above photo you may notice two little mites (small reddish dots on the body near the base of the right forewing).  Poor guy!  Though I've certainly seen insects carrying many more than two.  One more showing the silver spot that gives them their name:

Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

The next critter to wander into view was one of my favourite flower visitors.  Like a cross between a butterfly and a hummingbird, this little fellow is actually a species of hawk moth.  They never land, and I find them incredibly tricky to shoot!

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)

Those wings move a mile a minute!  1/200s doesn't even come close to nailing them down.

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)

Look at those clear wings, totally lacking the coloured scales that define most butterflies and moths.  I wonder if the scales would inhibit the hovering...

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)

Butterflies and moths are not the only pollinators about.  Let us not forget the humble Bumblebee.

Bumblebee (Bombus sp.)

Just as I was about to leave, one more little gift - a very cooperative Red Admiral.  I find this species usually very flighty and quick (maybe just my bad luck) but this individual hung around for a couple of shots.  Rather nice of him really.  He is quite fresh, and his colours are brilliant!

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Gotta love the crazy underwing patterns on those admirals!

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Well that's all for now.  All-in-all, a productive hour of shooting!

Cheers!
Kyle

Website Updates and ID Trivia

Hello!

I have spent some time with the field guide and updated some labels on the photos in my Costa Rica Gallery (http://www.kylehorner.com/costarica.php).  I have used common names, but can provide latin names upon request for all you taxonomy nerds (if there are any besides me).

If anyone fancies a taxonomic challenge, I have some still-unidentified species.  For each correct ID, I will commend you highly (sorry, no material or financial prizes are available at this time).  Here they are:

Some type of Norops anole...

A nifty butterfly...

A cool damselfly

A wicked caterpillar...

Also, if anyone fancies themselves an expert on Costa Rican spiders, we should talk.  I'd be happy if they could be identified to family.  Check them out in the gallery.

Cheers!
Kyle

Butterflies!

Hola!

Well, it's about time I suppose that I get on to the butterflies.  I am at a Butterfly Garden after all!  So, without further adieu, here are some photos from yesterday morning.

If you wake up nice and early, you catch some of the butterflies sleeping.  For example, these two:

False Postman (Heliconius clysonymus)

Spotted Longwing (Heliconius hecale)

A butterfly who manages both subtle and stunning at the same time is the Cracker, so named because of the cracking sound he uses to attract a mate (unique among butterflies).

Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)

There are so many butterflies in the country that many don't even have a common name, like this little green gem:

Unnamed (Nessaea aglaura)

Unnamed (Nessaea aglaura)

One more.  It seems the benches in the reception area are prime location for interesting moths, like this white one that appeared here yesterday in the am.

Unidentified moth.

Also, since a few people (a small few) are interested in my CR bird sightings, I have posted a list on the website (http://www.kylehorner.com/page8.php).  That's all for now, will post again soon!

Cheers!
Kyle