Fall Colours, Algonquin Park

Fall Colours, Algonquin Park (copyright Stewart Stick)

Fall Colours, Algonquin Park (copyright Stewart Stick)

Fall Colours, Algonquin Park (copyright Stewart Stick)

Fall Colours, Algonguin Park (copyright Stewart Stick)

Quest for Hognose (Heterodon platirhinos)

I was out travelling with my friend Clint today looking for wildlife to photograph. The one species of Ontario snake at the top of our list to see in the wild is the Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos). While driving up a curved hill we spotted a snake on the road close to the edge. Clint pulled over to the shoulder as soon as he safely could, and we sprinted down the hill. As we approached, we quickly realized that the car directly behind us had clipped it. We took a few photos and left heartbroken. Hopefully our second ecounter is just around the corner and will have a happier ending.

Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos (copyright Stewart Stick)

Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos (copyright Stewart Stick)

Common and not so common sightings

Today I photographed two species of bird. The first one is very common and the second one is rare in the area.

First up is the common, Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias (copyright Stewart Stick)

and now for the rare, American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
Unfortunately the bird was to far for a decent photo.

American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana (copyright Stewart Stick)

Chipmunk (Tamias minimus)

This Least Chipmunk (Tamias minimus) was photographed on the Beaver Pond Trail in Algonquin Park.

Chipmunk, Tamias minimus (copyright Stewart Stick)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) perched on a branch overlooking the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario.

Osprey (copyright Stewart Stick)

Osprey (copyright Stewart Stick)

Wildflowers

Wildflowers (copyright Stewart Stick)

Wildflower (copyright Stewart Stick)

Wildflowers (copyright Stewart Stick)

Wildflowers (copyright Stewart Stick)

All About Horses

The The Lindsay Agricultural Society hosted the All About Horses event at the Lindsay Fairgrounds this past weekend.

All About Horses, Lindsay Fairground (copyright Stewart Stick)

All About Horses, Lindsay Fairgrounds (copyright Stewart Stick)

All About Horses, Lindsay Fairgrounds (copyright Stewart Stick)

All About Horses, Lindsay Fairgrounds (copyright Stewart Stick)

All About Horses, Lindsay Fairgrounds (copyright Stewart Stick)

All About Horses, Lindsay Fairgrounds (copyright Stewart Stick)

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

A Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), makes the dangerous trek across the road. I assisted the turtle after taking this photograph. Peterborough has a facility called the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre, dedicated to helping turtles that have been injured by vehicles

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), copyright Stewart Stick

Moose (Alces alces)

Moose (Alces alces) are the largest member of the deer family. In the spring, they come out and drink the water from the roadside ditches. This is a great source for sodium from the road salt used in the winter road maintenance. The bulls are regrowing their impressive antlers, which they dropped after the previous breeding season.

Moose (Alces alces), copyright Stewart Stick

Moose (Alces alces), copyright Stewart Stick

Moose (Alces alces), copyright Stewart Stick

Moose (Alces alces), copyright Stewart Stick

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Gosling (Branta canadensis), copyright Stewart Stick

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), copyright Stewart Stick