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

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

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

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

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

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

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