The World Through Our Lens
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
On our first full day in New Zealand, Bob and I headed north from Karekare to the well known Gannet colony at Muriwai. We were very pleased to find a significant colony of White-fronted Terns also sharing the headland at Otakamiro Point. Read more
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
You will have to look at my photos closely in order to see the Eastern Meadowlark, but despite the distance between the bird and ourselves, Bob and I were thrilled to see it in the grasslands of the Carden Alvar. Read more
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
On a cold winter’s day that included passing snow squalls, Bob and I ventured into Algonquin Provincial Park in hopes of seeing a Spruce Grouse. Instead, we found ourselves in the company of a Red Fox. Looking picture perfect, this Red Fox almost seemed to pose for our cameras while fine snowflakes settled on its fur. Read more
What a delight to have winter arrive on time this year! Cold temperatures and lots of snow meant that our bird feeders were busy from morning until night. And then one morning, we noticed that all was quiet in our suburban backyard. A Sharp-shinned hawk had landed. Read more
It had been several years since Bob and I came across a Northern Saw-whet Owl, the first time being in our local park in late October of 2012. It was that bird sighting that got us hooked on bird watching. It was a long interlude but not for lack of trying. Our patience and persistence finally paid off when we located this Northern Saw-whet Owl on a recent warm February day near Oshawa, Ontario. Read more
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