St. John’s, Newfoundland is a Feast for the Eyes

Colourful row of houses in St

an image of a ship docked in St. John's harbour, Newfoundland, Canada

Maritime weather might be foggy and rainy, more likely freezing with severe Nor’westers and dastardly blizzards in winter, but everyone agrees that St. John’s, Newfoundland is a feast for the eyes despite the climactic conditions.  Colourful facades light up any day no matter the time of year. Read more

A Rauparaha’s Copper Butterfly in New Zealand

Rauparaha's Copper butterfly near muriwai regional park, new zealand _3241

An image of a Rauparaha's Copper Butterfly near Muriwai, New Zealand

It was enjoyable making our way through the sand dunes at Muriwai on the North Island of New Zealand.  The observation deck looking over the Gannet colony was our destination, but delights awaited us along the way such as this pretty Rauparaha’s Copper Butterfly. Read more

Among the birds in the Waitakere Hills near Auckland

An image of Lone Kauri Lodge in New Zealand.

After picking up a rental car in Auckland, New Zealand, Bob set about driving us to our first accommodation in Karekare at the edge of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park in the Waitakere Hills.  What a warm welcome we received at Lone Kauri Lodge and what a nice touch to see the Canadian flag flying proudly from their flagpole. Read more

Butterflies And Moths We Sighted In Tuscany

Stone cottage at Il Colombaio di Cencio, Tuscany

The morning following our arrival in Tuscany at first looked like it would be dreary and wet.  A light sprinkle of rain dampened the patio stones as we ate breakfast, but by the time we finished our fruit and cereal, warm September sunshine cast shadows of the tall trees surrounding our farmhouse, so we set off to explore the vineyard.  Butterflies and moths were everywhere in our dooryard, on the wildflowers and clinging to bushes and vines. Read more

Our Time Among The Romantic Loire Valley Castles

An image of Chateau de Chenonceau in Centre Val de Loire in France.

Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley in France

Having left the hustle and bustle of Paris behind, Bob and I next planned to spend a few days in the countryside.  On our list of must-sees were some of the  Loire Valley Castles such as   Château de Chenonceau,   seen above, as well as Monet’s Garden in Giverny and a tour of the Palace of Versailles. Read more

Blue-footed Booby Colony on Mexico’s Isla Isabel

An image of blue-footed booby birds on Isla Isabel off San Blas, Mexico. Photography by Frame To Frame - Bob and Jean

What a thrill to have our exclusive up-close-and-personal encounters in a Blue-footed Booby colony on Isla Isabel off the west coast of Mexico.  After spending a couple of days in San Blas, and with the assistance of Josefina Vazquez at   Hotel Garza Canela,   we lined up a full-day excursion to the small volcanic island that is located some 43 miles northwest of the tiny fishing village. Read more

In the footsteps of Gollum at Tawhai Falls in Tongariro National Park

An image of Bob standing below Tawhai Falls in Tongariro National Park in New Zealand. Photography by Frame To Frame - Bob and Jean.

An image of Tawhai waterfalls in Tongariro National Park on the North Island, in New Zealand. Photography by Frame To Frame - Bob and Jean.

While in New Zealand, we had a real mixed bag of weather conditions.  Our time spent in Mt. Tongariro National Park was under grey skies for the most part with driving rain, snow, sleet or hail.  Our hopes of hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing were dashed owing to strong winds, so we made the best of things and opted for some other scenic hikes, one of which was the Tawhai Falls Walk. Read more

Hobbiton – Our Walk Through The Shire

An image of a hobbit hole with a yellow door and a wooden fence with a gate out front of it at Hobbiton, in New Zealand. Photography by Frame To Frame - Bob and Jean.

Way before Bob and I decided to go to New Zealand, I held close to my heart the idea of one day visiting Hobbiton.  When we viewed the movie, The Hobbit, I fell in love with the whimsical Hobbit Holes that Bilbo Baggins and Frodo called home.  The dome-shaped dwellings captured the imagination of my inner child, and the seemingly utopian bucolic lifestyle struck a chord with me. Read more

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