Author: frametoframe

Bob Hilscher has spent years traveling the globe as a photo journalist for a major Canadian News outlet. During those years, he has seen the globe through both a camera lens, and when possible through his own eyes. Those combined images and experiences have given him a better understanding of the world’s cultures, countries, and people. His travels continue, and in the coming days, he will look to share both his images, and his experiences on this blog. Jean has spent years being a mother to her children and working and taking photo’s in her gardens, and the surrounding countryside. It is there that she honed her award winning photographic skills, which she now puts to good use in her travels around the world. In the coming days, she will begin to share her perspective on the world.

Merry Christmas From The World Of Lynde Shores

decorations-on-the-christmas-tree-at-lynde-shores-conservation-area-whitby-ontario-1

Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, had all the looks of Christmas one year. Read more

Australasian Gannets at the Muriwai Gannet Colony

australasian-gannet-at-the-muriwai-gannet-colony-waitakere-new-zealand-2

Bob and I had a long list of sights to see in New Zealand and first up was the gannet colony at Muriwai Regional Park just outside of Auckland.  About an hour’s drive north of where we were staying on the North Island, it made for the perfect day trip.  Over 2,000 Australasian Gannets make up the colony at Muriwai, which is one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand. Read more

All dressed up for Christmas, bring on the snow!

christmas-tree-lights-with-snowy-trim-1

With the recent substantial snowfalls, our home and property is ready to celebrate a White Christmas.  And when I awoke this morning, I found that yesterday’s wind and warm temperatures had sculpted the snow into an artful scalloped edge that neatly framed each Christmas bulb. Read more

Helping With The Grape Harvest In Tuscany

jean holds grapes at il colombaio di cencio vineyard, gaiole in chianti, itay

During our several night stay at Il Colombaio di Cencio Vineyard near Gaiole in Chianti, Italy, Bob and I enjoyed a leisurely pace where we set our own schedule.  The morning after a day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Cinque Terre, we awoke to a subtle clangor emanating from the sleepy, sun-drenched vineyard.  Soon after, we found ourselves helping with the grape harvest in Tuscany. Read more

Northern Parula Warbler in a Backyard Oasis

Northern parula sitting on a tree limb in Toronto, Ontario

One spring, during peak bird migration, we finally visited the Long Point area here in Ontario, Canada. We had a long list of birds that we hoped to see, and on the list was a Northern Parula. We failed to spot one at Long Point, but what a surprise when we had one spend the afternoon in our backyard soon after returning. Read more

Eastern Comma Butterfly At Rosetta McClain Gardens

eastern comma butterfly, rosetta mcclain park, toronto, pic 12

Late this summer, Bob and I popped down to Rosetta McClain Gardens in Toronto to see if we could discover any birds of note but also to look for Monarch Butterflies given the few that we had seen in our own garden over the summer.  What we found was an Eastern Comma Butterfly on one of the Butterfly Bushes. Read more

An Osprey carries branch to its nest at Carden Alvar

osprey with tree branch, carden alvar, ontario, pic 2

On a mid-June visit to Carden Alvar in Ontario, Bob and I opted to tour the area in the reverse direction from our first visit when we crossed Canal Lake at dusk.  First thing in the morning provided better light for photography, and there was no lack of activity near the Osprey nests.  We were hoping that the Osprey did not drop its load as they flew over! Read more

Green Kingfisher In The Mangrove Swamp At San Blas

Green Kingfisher male, mangrove swamp, san blas, nayarit, mexico, pic 2

Bob and I were so excited as we set off from the pier on our mangrove swamp tour in San Blas, Mexico. With our guide, Chencho at the helm of our substantial launch, we were confident that many tropical birds would not allude detection.  One species that caught our eye on several occasions was a Green Kingfisher, seen here perching at the edge of the San Cristobal mangrove estuary. Read more

Piping Plovers Nest at Darlington Provincial Park

Piping Plover sitting on eggs at darlington provincial park, ontario, pic 3

When Bob and I headed out to Darlington Provincial Park to have a look at the Piping Plovers, it was because 4 recently-hatched babies could be observed on the beach there.  They were creating much excitement in the world of birding here in Ontario.  Never before had Piping Plovers nested in the Park or in Durham region. Read more