The World Through Our Lens
When I read Sonia Day’s article in the Toronto Star, about Mosaiculture 2013, an international competition being held at the Montreal Botanical Garden, I was consumed with intrigue. Competitors from around the world had created giant living “sculptures” using plants as their medium, and the theme for 2013’s competition was Land of Hope. Bob, and I just had to go and check it out. Read more
On a beautiful sunny day, Bob and I decided to head to the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in search of birds that are uncommon in our own part of the province. As we approached Forks of the Credit Provincial Park near Caledon, along a quiet country road called McLaren Road, a vibrant green sludge drew our eyes to a pond at the side of the highway. When we spotted a turtle poking its head up through the surface of the water, we had to pull over for a look. The reptile turned out to be an Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). Read more
When Bob and I visited Grand Canyon National Park, our primary objective was to revel at the overwhelming and impressive scale of the canyon. Little did we know that our passion for birdwatching would be so richly rewarded both on the South Rim and deep within the canyon, itself. On one visit to Hopi Point, we were lucky enough to spot one of the two California Condors known to be nesting in a nearby rock face. Read more
Recently, Bob and I took the opportunity of a break in the rain for a hike along the Seaton Hiking Trail, near Whitevale, Ontario. How apt that we spotted a Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) resting at the side of the swiftly moving water on a damp rock. Now, you are probably thinking, “aren’t all frogs green?”, but the Green Frog is one of Ontario’s 13 recognized frog species. Read more
After leaving the Waterford Crystal Factory, Bob and I did some hasty research and selected Dunmore East (Irish: An Dun Mor Thoir) , a small fishing village south of Waterford in Ireland, as a likely destination that seemed of interest. When we pulled into the sleepy community, it immediately had us feeling right at home. Read more
Bob and I were delighted when we spotted a Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) sitting below the nesting hole of two woodpeckers at Second Marsh, near Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Read more
A visit to Second Marsh in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, is great at any time of the year, but is especially rewarding for birdwatchers in spring. On a visit to the protected wetland, Bob and I were thrilled to see, not one, but many Baltimore Orioles. Read more
The shimmer on the street below our hotel window betrayed a light drizzle that had dampened the City of Waterford. The House of Waterford Crystal was a short walk from the Granville Hotel so we were not deterred by the weather but set out on foot to check out the world-famous crystal manufacturer. Read more
It was yet another unseasonably hot day when Bob and I struck out from Glendalough in the direction of Baltinglass, which brought us nearer to the Brownshill Portal Tomb in Ireland. Read more
Our visit to Second Marsh Wildlife Area in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, was very rewarding. Not only is that area of land very interesting and beautiful to walk, but the myriad habitats attract many different bird species, so it is a birdwatcher’s delight. Bob and I were all set for a leisurely stroll as we patrolled the hiking trails in search of wildlife, and some of the first birds we saw were Tree Swallows. Read more
