Over the past ten days we have been touring Oregon with friends and visiting family. It is a beautiful state and there is so much to see in the way of ocean, mountains, and wildlife!
One of the most amazing sites seen was the descent of nearly 11000 Vaux’s swifts, down an abandoned chimney at Chapman School, in Portland!
Today I went out to the Sloughs again, with my friend Gene Stinson. It was a hot and humid day, and we did not see the birds we were hoping for. However, there was still a lot to see in the way of insects, flowers and frogs. Overall, a very good day!
It has been five years since I was in Henderson in September. A quick trip to “The Sloughs” was in order. Many summer flowers, butterflies and birds…………and insects! The noise of the insects in the Sloughs on a summer afternoon is incredible! Here are a few photos from Sunday.
The fall migration of birds is well underway. Additionally there are butterflies and moths, late summer blossoms and the first trees are starting to change colour. All in all, a beautiful time of year to be outdoors!
White-faced meadow hawk dragonfly
Ruby-throated hummingbird on jewel weed
Chestnut-sided warbler
Cedar waxwing
Thistle
Bald eagle – juvenile
Swainson’s thrush
Orange sulphur on wild aster
Blackpoll warbler
Pokeweed (toxic)
Painted lady on wild aster
Today is the fourth annual “World Shorebirds Day”. This week, counts are underway globally, taken while shorebirds are in migration. Many of the species we encounter in Southern Canada and in the Continental USA are only seen during migration, as they summer in northern latitudes. Shorebird populations are down for more than 50% of shorebird species. Loss of habitat is a major concern, particularly along migration routes. The following photograph was taken yesterday at the West Perth Wetlands (Ontario) and shows from left to right: a stilt sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs and greater yellowlegs.
One of my favourite ducks to photograph is the wood duck. Generally, wood ducks are found in deep ponds in heavy forest, and I find they are very skittish, taking flight quickly when they perceive a threat. As a result, they are challenging to photograph. Last week, however, I was fortunate to encounter a male wood duck, in “eclipse” plumage, amongst a group of mallards near the shore of Lake Ontario, by the Lasalle Marina in Burlington. I have no idea what he was doing there, but he provided an excellent opportunity for photographs. I had also encountered a solo male wood duck at this same location, amongst mallards, in May. I don’t know if it was the same bird. (For more duck photographs, see the Gallery entitled Ducks.)
In the late summer, I enjoy getting out to photograph butterflies. This morning, I was hoping to do that, but last night the temperature in the area dropped to less than 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), so there were no butterflies moving about. I did however manage to photograph monarch caterpillars at the University of Guelph Arboretum. They too, are beautiful!
The monarch butterfly shown below, was photographed at the West Perth Wetlands, earlier this week (when it was quite a bit warmer!).
(For more butterflies, see the Gallery entitled Butterflies.)
The escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity are just some of the threats to both African and Asian elephants. Working towards better protection for wild elephants, improving enforcement policies to prevent the illegal poaching and trade of ivory, conserving elephant habitats, better treatment for captive elephants and, when appropriate, reintroducing captive elephants into natural, protected sanctuaries are the goals that numerous elephant conservation organizations are focusing on around the world.
World Elephant Day (today) asks you to experience elephants in non-exploitive and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive under care and protection. 
Photo taken in Kruger National Park, South Africa, 2007.
