The World Through Our Lens
On the next leg of our trip, between Auckland and our next lodgings in Rotorua, Bob and I planned a stop at the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre. Its reputation as being home to thousands of shorebirds made it a must-see destination, and we were keen to add some new birds to our life list. The area did not disappoint. Thousands of Bar-tailed Godwits had returned to spend summer on New Zealand’s North Island. Read more
After several hours of bird watching at Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Bob and I decided to check out another location, Crown Marsh, before heading off for dinner. A lengthy walk there on Long Point Trail 6 had us coming across this substantial Melanistic Eastern Garter Snake. Read more
The night before our scheduled Armed Safari in Kruger National Park, I was so wound up with excitement that I could hardly sleep. Laying awake from 1:30 a.m. on, I didn’t need the alarm that was set to beep us awake at 3:30 a.m., but the dainty chimes wrested Bob from his sleep and then we prepared for the 4:30 a.m. departure from Skukuza Rest Camp. The armed park rangers in charge of leading us safely around the savanna were Rouleni and Opa. Read more
Bob and I could hardly wait to land at Isla Isabel. We were promised Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds with no fear of humans. Referred to as “North America’s Galapagos”, Isla Isabel lies about 43 miles northwest of San Blas on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Read more
When Bob and I set off from Killarney to drive the famed Ring of Kerry route, technically, we had already seen a section of it the previous afternoon when we arrived there in Killarney National Park. Thankfully, glorious sunshine had provided us with spectacular views of the Killarney Lakes. Read more
A harrowing drive through Swaziland was the result of a planned shortcut through that country in order to eliminate 2-3 hours of driving time in South Africa on a road that gives a wide berth around Swaziland’s borders. We left Kruger National Park at 7 a.m. expecting to arrive at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve on the coast in about 7 hours. What we did not expect was the condition of a 50-kilometre stretch of mountain logging roads and how it would impact our schedule. Read more
Our tour of the French countryside provided respite from our first few days in the bustling urban environment of Paris, but soon enough, it was back to the City of Light before returning to Canada. I won’t say that we saved the best for last, but our final sightseeing did include a visit to famous Notre Dame Cathedral, an evening spent at Moulin Rouge, and a romantic boat cruise on the Seine River. Read more
It was a damp and dreary afternoon when Bob, our son and I arrived in Tintagel, but our despair was fleeting. Lush plantings along main street soon put smiles on our faces. Gardens held back by drystone walls were overflowing with flowers and bursting with rich colour. What a welcome sight! Read more
Bob and I had no sooner left the parking lot at Nkumbe Lookout when we spotted a trio of Klipspringer antelope gallivanting among the rocks on the other side of the road. What nimble little creatures! Read more