We were really struck by the beauty of the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies that we observed in Toronto. This is a species that we had never seen before. Read more
White Rhinoceros in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, South Africa
The route we chose as a conduit between Hilltop Camp and the Nyalazi Gate in South Africa had us experiencing a couple of close calls on our last morning in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. One incident was when we came head-to-head with a pair of massive white rhinoceros. Read more
A Day At Oribi Gorge In South Africa
After leaving Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park on our way to the Oribi Gorge, Bob and I found that the rural landscape quickly reverted to hillsides covered in a patchwork of cultivated fields. On the outskirts of larger urban centres, small buildings clustered together in kraals were still common. Read more
Driving The Ecotour Road In Grasslands National Park
On our first full day at Grasslands National Park, after waking up very early and having a hearty breakfast, we took the advice of our hostess and set out to drive the Ecotour Road to the Borderlands Lookout. It was a relaxing way to start our explorations on the heels of a very long travel day. Read more
“Into Africa” – Someday in the Post-covid World
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to make this video as part of my wife’s, Jean’s, birthday gift. As you will see, this video highlights our travels to South Africa, and it features Jean.
Hopefully, you all enjoy it, and in a small way, you are able to take a short virtual tour of South Africa with Jean.
For now, because of the pandemic, we remain “Out Of Africa”. Hopefully someday, Jean and I, and all of you, will be able to head back “Into Africa”.
Eddie A Mandarin Duck on the Lam
Mandarin Ducks breed in Eastern Siberia as far south as North Korea, and they winter by choice in southern China and Japan. So, when a Mandarin Duck like Eddie shows up in a small town in Ontario, Canada, it creates a lot of excitement. Read more
From Greater Flamingos To An Italian Comacchio Picnic
Bob and I spent the morning strolling the fields and pastures of our hosts at Agriturismo Forzello before setting off on our search for the colony of Greater Flamingos. There were a couple of potential locations within Parco Veneto del Delta del Po National Park. Read more
Eastern Milksnake In Rouge National Urban Park
Pandemic birding and nature hikes have kept us close to home since March of 2020, and one of our favorite places to get outdoors is in Rouge National Urban Park. On an early June day, we were very fortunate to see an Eastern Milksnake in Bob Hunter Memorial Conservation Area. Read more
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar in Rouge National Urban Park
On a late summer afternoon, Bob made a brief stop at North Reesor Pond in Rouge National Urban Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His intention was to look for shorebirds, but with none presenting, he began to scour the reeds and bushes for insects. That is when he happened upon this most unusual caterpillar, a Cecropia Moth Larva. Read more
Back in Time at Markham Fair, Power and Majesty
Owing to the covid-19 pandemic, Markham Fair, like so many other events, was canceled for 2020. We thought it fitting, then, to look back in time at Markham Fair as we have experienced it with our family over the past 40 years. Read more