2013 has been a great year for shooting as well as for getting my images out to people who are interested, via this blog! There are so many decent images to choose from, and I am a bit pressed for time right now, so I will organize the pictures that stood out for me phylogenetically.
Insects
![IMG_3685](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_3685.jpg)
One of the beautiful Ammophila featured in Ibycter Illustrated. Photographing sleeping Hymenoptera at sunrise gave me a new appreciation for mixing ambient and flash.
![IMG_2976](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_2976.jpg)
I love the way the dew sparkles on this Lycaenid.
![IMG_3794](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_3794.jpg)
In 2013, I got to indulge myself with many opportunities to shoot Coelioxys, my favourite Megachilid.
![IMG_9762](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/img_9762.jpg)
Using flowers as colourful backdrops was something I explored in the gardens this year.
![IMG_4592](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_4592.jpg)
Not the best technically, but it was great to come upon this scene of predation between Laphria and Apis. Productive slacking indeed!
![IMG_2188](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_2188.jpg)
Another Laphria found on a window provided a good long photo session so I could explore lighting against the sky.
![IMG_0116](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_0116.jpg)
The end result of a syrphid rearing experiment! Feed your syrphid well!
![IMG_3873](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_3873.jpg)
Some time spent in Victoria in the spring was a good time to revise papers and look for beautiful snakeflies!
![This was my favourite of the bunch, with the water droplets adding to the interest.](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_21231.jpg)
After this shot, I resolved to shoot more ants, but unfortunately I did not follow through. This was the best ant I shot all year.
![IMG_9768](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_9768.jpg)
I explored a bit of underwater photography with micro-aquaria, but could use some more practice.
![IMG_6987](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/img_6987.jpg)
I got to use the Monster Macro Rig to good effect in lush grasses, where it excels.
![IMG_1283-2](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_1283-2.jpg)
And more Coelioxys!
Spiders
![IMG_6483](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_6483.jpg)
This was a great year for spider photography, and I shot many species, such as this uloborid, Hyptiotes gertschi.
![IMG_6198](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_6198.jpg)
Although I worked out a hypothetical method for better jumping spider photos, I never put it to use. I got some decent jumper pics nonetheless,
![IMG_2200](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_2200.jpg)
While exiled in Port Moody, we managed to witness some dramatic spider action.
![IMG_0326](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/img_0326.jpg)
Fieldwork at Island View Beach provided a good excuse to shoot black widows and other great animals.
![IMG_5800](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_5800.jpg)
I managed more than my fair share of crab spider shots, like this one during some time in the community garden.
![IMG_5289](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_5289.jpg)
This dramatic shot of a Woodlouse Hunter was a big hit.
![IMG_1013-2](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_1013-21.jpg)
Some of the studio shots I took of jumpers at Iona were also pretty dramatic. This Habronattus ophrys male was pretty on black.
![IMG_9902](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_9902.jpg)
Jumpers also stand out on white.
![IMG_3806](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_3806.jpg)
I found several long philodromids this year, which look elegant stretched out in their concealed mode.
![IMG_9351cc2](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_9351cc2.jpg)
Following a gravid Cellar Spider was a great lesson in spider reproduction.
![Starting to harden up and recover movement.](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/img_0280.jpg)
This molting clack widow was a great treat to see.
(non-human) Vertebrates
![IMG_1950](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/img_1950.jpg)
Shooting seals underwater was a highlight late in the year, thanks to aquiring a GoPro.
![IMG_1116](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/img_1116.jpg)
Getting out to YVR with the Wildlife Control people was a really fun experience. This molting Peregrine tiercel was one of the better shots I ever got of a peregrine.
![IMG_9729](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_9729.jpg)
I indulged my crow photography habit more than a little in 2013
![IMG_9134](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/img_9134.jpg)
A family of raccoons provided entertainment and photo ops all through the year
![duck for blog1](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/duck-for-blog1.jpg)
This snapshot of an injured duck led me into some community activism, and was ultimately used in newspapers and at council meetings.
![IMG_0568](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_05681.jpg)
I git some decent shots during feeding time for some barn swallows.
![IMG_0467](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_0467.jpg)
This eagle in a cottonwood highlights the gentle light you can get on a bright summer day under the shade of a tree.
![IMG_1639](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_1639.jpg)
Probably my favourite bird shot this year, this male Annas hummingbird was spectacular in the evening light.
![IMG_9165](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_91651.jpg)
A studio session with Jasmine the cat provided some ammunition in the war for equality.
![IMG_1805-2](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/img_1805-2.jpg)
These trumpeter swans emerging out of the clouds were also a favourite.
![IMG_3718](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/img_37181.jpg)
Sandhill Cranes up close are kinda crazy looking!
![IMG_0980](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_0980.jpg)
I lost my good friend and adventuring partner this year. Maggie was an awesome dog and I will miss her greatly.
People
![IMG_2367](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/img_2367.jpg)
I got out several times with Wild Research on birding trips. This shot of Paul Levsque channeling Steve Zissou was fun.
![IMG_8592](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_8592.jpg)
The most fun I had with people was some of the outreach we did bringing insects and spiders to kids.
![IMG_8664](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_8664.jpg)
Antonia with maggot art at the Halloween Spooktacular
![IMG_8083](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_8083.jpg)
Meeting Alex Wild and others at the ESC in Guelph was an unexpected boost.
![IMG_7532](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_7532.jpg)
Attending Alex Wild’s insect photography workshop with Mike Hrabar was a great way to start the conference.
![IMG_6960](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_6960.jpg)
Sometimes going out mushroom hunting with friends is the best cure for the fall blues.
![IMG_6713](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_6713.jpg)
Catherine Scott, my scientific collaborator and fellow member of Team Caracara has a great smile and killer stats insight.
![IMG_4176](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_4176.jpg)
Getting out and speaking up for what matters is important. This was shot at the “Stand Up For Science” rally in Vancouver.
![IMG_2807](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_28071.jpg)
OK, here are several more shots of kids with bugs. What could be more awesome?
![IMG_6811](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_68111.jpg)
People gathered together for Moth Night. A great way to spend a summer evening!
![IMG_3331](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/img_33311.jpg)
Doing Barn Owl work with Sofi was pretty fun. We managed to capture several owls.
![IMG_8212](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_8212.jpg)
A butterfly outing!
![Tavi and Viorel](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/img_9582.jpg)
Tavi and Viorel
![IMG_6514](http://ibycter.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/img_6514.jpg)
Antonia with a great stonefly!