The World Through Our Lens
Photography of wildlife we have observed around the world.
Late one fall morning, Bob and I decided to pack an impromptu picnic and head down to Rosetta McClain Gardens on the Scarborough Bluffs here in Toronto. We anticipated wonderful views of Lake Ontario as we munched on our modest lunch, but we did not foresee the multitudes of dragonflies that had gathered at the gardens, ones such as this Twelve-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly. Read more
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
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
After a full day of activity at Grand Canyon National Park, Bob and I 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
As Bob and I were about to leave Montreal’s Botanical Gardens, after a day-long tour of the wonderful Mosaicultures 2013 on exhibit, we came upon a Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) sniffing around the various plants in one specialized garden. What a surprise to find this wild creature quite at home in urban Montreal. 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
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
As Bob and I so often do, we walked to Toronto’s Milliken Park one afternoon in early spring. It was an unusually hot day which explained the assembly of turtles basking in the sun at the side of the park’s largest pond. I couldn’t help think of the adage, “get your ducks all in a row” because there were the turtles, all lined up in order. They certainly occupied every inch of available space on that log. Read more
On a recent walkabout in Milliken Park, in Toronto, Bob and I were surprised to see, hopping about the lawns and gardens, an unusual looking rabbit. Unlike our common Cottontail Rabbit, this rabbit was white with a smokey grey snout and a grey wash on its hind quarters. Could it be that someone’s pet escaped and is now making the park its home? Or is it possible that someone released their pet for no longer wanting to care for it? Read more