Information on Dragonflies and Butterflies Hamilton

Friday July 13 2012

Dragon Flies so colourful

Wildlife This year at Harbour-front Trail, Cootes Paradise and the great lakes are few and far between.The lack of snow-pack , Spring rains has left the water level three feet less than last year, therefore less wildlife and fewer Images. Last year there was over 12 Signets born in Hamilton Harbour, this year due to the City of Hamilton oiling swan eggs and Canadian geese eggs there was only one signet born, all because they say the swans are causing e-Coli Bacteria and making it dangerous for people to swim in the water. I am against the oiling of eggs because the swans sit on the eggs for three Months without any offspring. People complain to the city that there is too much Canadian geese  droppings where they walk. The wildlife was here before us, please leave Mother Nature alone, Humans think they can control everything they come in contact with. Now look at the world we live in, nothing for children too be amazed and nothing to learn, It is like a Silent Spring-Shame- Shame

Readers at pics4twitts send me images quite often, Lois McNaught also walks the Harbour-front trail  Daily and has the same observations as most regulars, “where have all the wildlife gone?”

eight eggs and only one signet-city oils eggs Hamilton.

Doug

Dragon fly

Dragonflies

Usually living near water, the dragonfly is one of earth’s creatures that are not only very useful, but also beautiful. They belong to thee insect group Odonata. Dragonflies come in varied colors; their bodies often blue, green, purple, and even bronze. Their wings seem to shimmer as if made of silver, especially when under the moonlight.

Dragon Fly

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

The Bee and the Butterfly

Mangrove Tree Nymph

Gray catbird

Morning Hamilton Harbour

Painted Lady Butterfly on Coneflower

Painted butterfly.

Question Mark Butterfly

How many eyes does a dragonfly have?

Red Winged Balck Bird

How many eyes does a dragonfly have? They have two main eyes, but each of these eyes are made up of approximately 20,000 to 25,000 tinier eyes, allowing them to zero in on the flying insects that are their daily meals.

Post and image Doug Worrall

Doug Worrall

Photos by Lois McNaught

Things To Do This Long Weekend Hamilton

Saturday May 19 2012

Fireworks Hamilton Harbour

Over the last week I have been seeing the very quick change from Spring to Summer.Each day I would experience a new treat.Today was no exception. Being quite cool with  NW winds this morning it was still cloudy at 8AM by Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise. Then the sun came out and viewing my images from last year at this time I noticed I saw my First Deer. Today I saw my first Five Deer. Two gracefully pounced into the woods when they saw me chasing them with stealth. Something a Nature photographer must learn.

Whitetail Deer

Whitetail deer

This summer I highly suggest checking out Hamilton Harbourfront Park, which is easily accessible by car, e-bike, bus, or ride the Tramway from Haida all the way into Cootes Paradise. The Harbourfront Park not only offers activities, festivals and events all year long, but a place where you can take in the many sights and sounds of the RBG Centre. You can also bike, walk, hike, kayak and canoe into Cootes Paradise. Should you drive there, you’ll find ample parking close to all the amenities.

Last year, after biking the trail for three months, I still have much to discover, observe, and accomplish as a photographer. It seems the potential is endless, as each day the water beckons me to awaken before first light and immerse myself in Mother Nature’s cycle, which is always brimming with life.

I welcome you to join me on a journey to the hidden gems in Hamilton, Tobermory, Niagara Falls, and many other places. My hope is that together we enjoy an enlightening experience, to gaze through the camera lens together, to see the power, beauty, and wisdom of Mother Nature’s gift

Whitetail deer

Dundurn Castle is an historic chateau built to house Sir Allan MacNab, later prime minister of the united Province of Canada between 1845 and 1856. He hired architect Robert Wetherall and construction of this stately home was completed in 1835. It became the property of the City of Hamilton, and in the late 1960s, it was restored as a Centennial project. It is now designated as a National Historic Site.

Dundurn Castle

It operates as a civic museum, and its grounds house other attractions. Dundurn Park, and associated green spaces, is a favourite for wedding portraits. The Hamilton Military Museum is housed in an outbuilding which was relocated when York Street was widened as York Boulevard in the 1970s. Another outbuilding, the Cockpit Theatre, occasionally housed outdoor events and dramas.

Proud mother

Hamilton Harbour

Operating Hours Victoria to Labour Day: Daily 10 am – 4 pm Labour Day to Victoria Day: Open Tuesday to Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm. The admission prices is $10 and also includes a ticket to the Hamilton Military Museum.

Canada’s largest Botanical Gardens, the RBG has five garden areas, including RBG centre, Hendrie Park, Laking Garden & the Arboretum. It also has four nature sanctuaries, including Cootes Paradise, Hendrie Valley, Rock Chapel & Berry Tract.

RBG Centre – The main centre for the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Centre has indoor greenhouses with a vast collection of cactus & exotic plants and flowers. Most popular is the Mediterranean Garden(cool, so bring a coat), where the bloom season is actually winter!

Great Blue Heron

Blue Heron

Hendrie Park – Gardens featured include Rose Garden (beautiful @ June & Early Summer), Medicinal Garden (herbs & spices), Small-flowered Clematis, Garden Lily (Lilium) Collection, Scented Garden (plants with attitude!), Thyme Garden, The World of Botany, Vines, Climbers and Espaliers, Kids’ Gardening Zone (plant veggies), The Morrison Woodland Garden, Border Buffet (whole collection of plant borders to give you creative edge), Queen Beatrix Narcissus Collection (daffodil gift that Queen Beatrix gave during her visit in 1988) & a Collection of Canadian-Originated Trees. This garden really tickles of five of your senses & offers a comforting atmosphere.

Marshlands

Rock Garden – My personal favourite, the Rock Garden is actually a hillside valley garden that uses altitude & the rocks to compliment the flora. It is also a favourite among photographers & newlyweds, who love the fact that the garden is surrounded by hills, gardens and a pond & stream. This garden also has many trees & shaded areas, so it is a comforting walk in the baking sun.

Shake it up baby

Raised walkway

It is open all year (except Christmas & New Years), from 9 a.m. to dusk. Remember the gardens are seasonal, so come when your favourite flowers are in bloom.

The Hamilton Waterfront Trail (7.5km):Known for its heavy industrial waterfront, Hamilton will surprise new visitors. The past decade has dramatically changed the waterfront bringing with it new recreational uses and restored natural and cultural features.

Whitetail deer

Webster Falls

Sunset Hamilton Harbour

The trail follows Hamilton Harbour from Princess Point (Cootes Paradise) through Bayfront Park, Pier 4 Park, the Discovery Centre and on to HMCS Haida. You’ll also find Williams Coffee Pub, a Waterfront Ice Cream stand and the Hamilton Harbour Queen Cruises nearby

At Cootes Paradise there is an impressive staircase with a cycling trough leading to Dundurn Park and some amazing lookouts. From here you can connect to Burlington via York Street- extreme caution is needed when crossing the ramp from the 403.Note: The staircase at Coote’s Paradise is quite large and steep and can be a challenge for cyclists with full paniers.

Turkey Vulture

Main Access Points (with parking)  Hamilton Waterfront Trail:

Dundurn Park-York Blvd.

Bayfront Park-Harbourfront Dr and Bay St.

Pier 8 – Canada Marine Discover Centre

Pier

HMCS Haida at Catherine St.

The Haidia

Enjoy The Images and the bountiful wildlife this weekend

Cheers

Doug Worrall Photographer

October Colours Backdrop Oncoming Spring

Saturday March 10 2012

As seen from above as below

Start of hike harbourfront trail

This shot was taken at 7AM

Autumn or Fall is a wonderful time of year for colour. There are still flowers about and they are beautiful. Then there are the autumn leaves which are changing on a daily basis through all the glorious rich earthy colours of red and yellow-gold and bronze and purple.

Autumn/Fall is such a stunning time I have tried to capture this brief moment in photographs.

I started taking the autumn/fall photos in September and will take a selection each Month after that.

Bass Fishing

Skulling Hamilton Harbour

All these photographs were taken by me in places near my home starting in April.  I just want you to join me in gazing and appreciating the beauty of nature in this moment.

Blue Heron Elder

Blue Heron Wintering in Hamilton

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain’d
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

Fishing-taking advantage of great weather

‘The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her Thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.

October Colours while exercising

October the time for change

‘The spirits of the air live in the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.’
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

Sunrise Hamilton

BY

Doug Worrall Photography

 Yearly Nature Images Hamilton Trails

Sunday January 1 2012

Signet and pen June 2011

A Happy New Year to all from DW Photography and readers images and our writers. Special thanks to Jacqueline, Lois and Steve

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the readers here at DW Photography.Each passing year brings many obsticles to the revitalization of our natural habitat

throughout the world, We are still destroying  what we should be preserving. More than any time on our calendar our best friend Mother Nature needs our help.

Pick your small piece of nature and keep it clean and healthy. Find garbage that other people have left behind. Take ownership “stewardship” of your environment more than ever this year.

Thanking you in advance

Doug Worrall

Trumpeter Swan

Living in Hamilton has many perks with the proximity of Lake Ontario and Hamilton Harbour.  By foot,  Bike,  Bus or drive down to the Harbourfront Park,  Cootes Paradise,  Princess Point,  The Harbourfront Trail is very long with many attractions starting in Hamilton then Burlington and further.

Dundurn Castle 2011

Known for its heavy industrial waterfront, Hamilton will surprise new visitors.

Kayaking Cootes Paradise

The past decade has dramatically changed the waterfront bringing with it new recreational uses and restored natural and cultural features.

The Pride of baltimore

The Pride of baltimore leaves hamilton harbour

The Hamilton Waterfront Trail (7.5km):

Dundas Conservation area

follows Hamilton Harbour from Princess Point (Cootes Paradise) through Bayfront Park, Pier 4 Park, the Discovery Centre and on to HMCS Haida.

Sunrise 5:30 May 2011

You’ll also find Williams Coffee Pub, a Waterfront Ice Cream stand and the Hamilton Harbour Queen Cruises nearby.

Sunset Discovery Centre

At Cootes Paradise there is an impressive staircase with a cycling trough leading to Dundurn Park and some amazing lookouts.

Webster Falls

From here you can connect to Burlington via York Street- extreme caution is needed when crossing the ramp from the 403.

Male American Goldfinch

Whitetail Deer

The Hamilton Beach Recreation Trail:

 follows the Lake Ontario shoreline for about 8 km taking people from Burlington under the Lift Bridge to Confederation Park and into the former Stoney Creek. Interpretative panels describe the history of Hamilton’s waterfront and explain the restoration process. Please note there is a new way to cross the very busy Eastport Drive/Beach Blvd.-take the path that goes under the bridge rather than crossing the road.

The Quickness of Deer

Enjoying the sun and surroundings

• Confederation Park – Van Wagner’s Beach Rd. and Centennial Parkway
• Van Wagner’s Beach beside Lakeland Community Centre – Van Wagner’s Beach Rd. East of Confederation Park
• Beach Blvd south of lift bridge

Lift bridge

Skyway Bridge

Hamilton Waterfront Trail

• Dundurn Park-York Blvd.
• Bayfront Park-Harbourfront Dr and Bay St.
• Pier 4 Park – Leander Dr. and Guise St.
• Pier 8 – Canada Marine Discover Centre
• HMCS Haida at Catherine St.

Like flys on a cow

Juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron

Blue Heron Harbourfront Park June 15 2011

Photographers

Gosling shaking all about

Lois McNaught

Steve Loker

Jacqueline

Doug Worrall

Rainbow trout

June 5AM a start to every day

Sunrise Hamilton Harbour