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

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

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

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

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

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

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