Western Tanager Along The North Rim Of The Grand Canyon

western tanager, holds a seed in peck, north rim, grand canyon, arizona

Western Tanager Along The North Rim Of The Grand Canyon

About mid-morning one day, as we traveled along the South Rim of the    Grand Canyon National Park,    Bob and I decided to take a drive over to the North Rim since a couple of highly touted unique features, one being Angel’s Window, are situated on that side of the sprawling gorge.  Our progress took longer than expected because of frequent stops to admire the scenery.  Finally at our destination, we hastened to take in the views, but were brought up short by the unexpected sighting of a Western Tanager at Cape Royal. Read more

Titanic’s Last Anchorage – Our Visit To Cobh Town

RMS Titanic leaving Belfast harbour in 1912

Bob and I awoke to a fine drizzle the next morning, so rather than pursue the harbour boat tour first off, we headed to   The Titanic Experience   where visitors are invited to retrace the footsteps of the Queenstown passengers who boarded the Titanic on its maiden voyage.  Cobh Town was known as Queenstown from 1850 until 1920. Read more

Cobh Town a village with profound Maritime History

colorful row houses in cobh town

atlantic coastline, county cork, ireland

From Waterford, Bob and I followed the scenic coastal road towards our next destination, Cork Harbour.  Sheer cliffs and pretty farms were visible all along the route, but it made for slow progress.  As storm clouds hemmed in the sky, we eventually resorted to using the main freeway in order to achieve our destination by mid-afternoon. Read more

Types of Butterflies We Have Sighted Around The World

Types of Butterflies We Have Sighted Around The World

Giant Swallowtail butterflies on butterfly bush, toronto, ontario

Years ago, I planted a Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) in my front garden in the hopes of attracting butterflies to my property.  I never imagined that one day I would be seeing, not one, but two Giant Swallowtail Butterflies  cavorting amongst the branches of the plant. Read more

Western Bluebird At Grand Canyon National Park

western bluebird, grand canyon national park, arizona, frame to frame bob and jean

After an hour-long guided hike known as a Fossil Walk at    Grand Canyon National Park,    Bob and I were returning to Maswik Lodge for lunch by way of the forested area adjacent to Village Loop Drive and the railway track.  A brilliant blue flash of colour had us both looking up into one of the pine trees where sat perched a male Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana).

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Green Darner Dragonflies At Rosetta McClain Gardens

Green Darner Dragonfly - closeup on rose bush  - Rosetta McClain Gardens - Toronto

Green Darner Dragonfly - closeup on pink flower - Rosetta McClain Gardens - Toronto

When Bob and I dropped into Rosetta McClain Gardens for a brief walkabout, the last thing we expected to see were hundreds of Green Darner Dragonflies darting in and around the expansive flower beds.  When one such dragonfly lit on a flower head, we had the opportunity for a very close look at its anatomy.   Green Darner Dragonflies can be positively identified by the black bulls-eye in front of their large brown eyes. Read more

Lesser Goldfinch At Grand Canyon National Park

lesser goldfinch, male, looks to camera near Bright Angel Lodge, Grand Canyon, Arizona

After yet another early morning wake-up call, Bob and I found ourselves fed and watered by 9 a.m., ready for exploration.  We enjoyed breakfast at El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, then meandered along the South Rim Trail and investigated Grand Canyon Village.  It was there that Bob and I came upon a Lesser Goldfinch nestled in amongst the feathery styles of an Apache Plume plant. Read more

A Solitary sandpiper at Fernwood Farms in Stayner

A Solitary sandpiper at Fernwood Farms in Stayner

Solitary Sandpiper on edge of pond - Fernwood Farms - stayner - ontario

Bob and I enjoy making annual trips to Fernwood Farms in Stayner, Ontario, for that is where we pick the biggest, juiciest blueberries that one can imagine.  There had been a deluge of rain the day before we visited the farm, and a Solitary Sandpiper (Tringo solitaria) was making use of an impromptu pond that had formed at the edge of the cornfield. Read more

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