Category: Nature photography

Photography of nature we have observed during our travels.

Western Tanager Along The North Rim Of The Grand Canyon

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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

Lesser Goldfinch At Grand Canyon National Park

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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

Our Canoe Into The Wilds of The Minesing Swamp

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great egret, minesing swamp, ontario

When Bob and I paddled through the extensive wetlands known as Minesing Swamp, one of the highlights was observing dozens of Great Egrets at rest in a stand of long-dead trees.  The sight was breathtaking! Read more

Tomato Hornworm Moths At Grand Canyon National Park

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Tomato Hornworm Moth in flight to Moonflower - Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona

After a full day of activity at Grand Canyon National Park, we were returning late to our room at Maswik Lodge when a flicker of movement drew my eye towards the stunning night-blooming Moonflowers.  We were not the only ones attracted by the glowing white flowers.  Numerous Tomato Hornworm Moths, also known as Five-spotted Hawkmoths,  were circling for a landing. Read more

The Daylily Garden at Montreal Botanical Gardens

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ruby red daylily, Montreal Botanical Garden

One summer, Bob and I drove to Montreal in Quebec, Canada, to take in the Mosaiculture competition underway at Montreal Botanical Gardens.  The Garden had so much more to offer, including 31 specialized gardens.  When we hit upon the Daylily Garden, I could not believe the number and varieties of daylilies covering endless flowerbeds…daylilies such as this ruby red beauty. Read more

Mosaiculture 2013 At Montreal Botanical Gardens

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Spirit of the Wood, Cernunnos topiary at Mosaiculture 2013, at Montreal Botancial Garden, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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

Eastern Towhee At Forks Of The Credit Provincial Park

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eastern towhee stares ahead - trans canada trail - forks of the credit - caledon - ontario

Bob and I get very excited when it comes to checking out new potential birdwatching locations.  Numerous reports about sightings at Forks of the Credit Provincial Park had us headed that way in early June to see what we might see.  Among the many birds spotted that day was a colourful Eastern Towhee. Read more

Spring Wildflowers at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area

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Bloodroot Flower, Closeup, Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, Grimsby

A sure harbinger of spring is when the forest floor erupts into a brilliant carpet of Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).  We came upon these fragile spring wildflowers which belong to the poppy family at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area, near Grimsby, Ontario. Read more

Early spring wildflowers at Cootes Paradise in Burlington

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round-lobed Hepatica, Cootes Paradise, Burlington

April showers bring May flowers, and true to that adage, the forests in Cootes Paradise in Hamilton, Ontario, were already liberally sprinkled with clumps of Round-lobed Hepatica (Anemone Americana).  We had been enjoying very warm temperatures in Southern Ontario, and in combination with the odd April shower, it has given rise to these early spring wildflowers. Read more

The Flood of Spring 2013 in Huntsville, Ontario

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The Flood of Spring 2013 in Huntsville, Ontario

Huntsville flooding, flooded riverside park area, Ontario, April 21, 2013

In the spring of 2013, it was evident that spring was upon us along the shores in Huntsville, Ontario.  Not only had the heavy snows of winter 2013/14 all but melted away, but April showers were in full swing.  For several days in a row, heavy rains had added to the runoff creating dangerous levels of water and flooding in all bodies of water.  Huntsville was one of the worst hit areas when it came to the Flood of Spring 2013. Read more